decente
/deˈθente/
The English word decent translates to Spanish as decente.
The adjective decente is used to describe something that is fair, good enough or okay. When describing people, it often carries a strong connotation of being respectable or morally upright. When referring to clothing or appearance, decente is used to mean modest or appropriate.
Meaning: fair, good enough, okay (adj)
Which one should you use?
In English, 'decent' often means 'satisfactory' or 'adequate', but in Spanish, decente frequently implies being respectable or morally upright when describing people.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word decent is commonly translated as decente or apropiado.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective decente is invariable in gender, so it remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. To make the adjective plural, add -s to form decentes.
How do you pronounce it?
/deˈθente/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, if you describe a meal as decente, you are often giving it a 'backhanded compliment' that suggests it was barely acceptable.
- In some Latin American contexts, calling someone decente can be an indirect way of saying they are conservative or traditional in their social values.
- While 'decente' describes a person's character, if you want to say someone is a 'decent person' in a casual, friendly way, Spanish speakers often use the phrase buena gente.
Examples in context
- Tomás es un hombre decente.Tom is a decent guy.This example shows how to describe a person as a decent guy using decente.Tatoeba #5106055 by don_ramon, translation #5105759 by CK
- Consíguete un traje decente.Get yourself a decent suit.This sentence uses decente to describe a suit that is decent.Tatoeba #1598368 by marcelostockle, translation #66682 by CK
- A ese lugar no va gente decente.No decent people go to that place.This sentence uses decente to describe people.Tatoeba #2267610 by cueyayotl, translation #2267609 by _undertoad
- La comida en este restaurante es aceptable para una cena formal.The food at this restaurant is acceptable for a formal dinner.
- El concierto estuvo bastante bien.The concert was pretty decent.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing a movie they just watched.
- Lucía¿Qué te pareció la película, Alejandro?What did you think of the movie, Alejandro?
- AlejandroNo fue increíble, pero estuvo decente.It wasn't amazing, but it was decent.
- LucíaYo creo que el final fue malo.I think the ending was bad.
- AlejandroPara mí, el final fue bastante decente.For me, the ending was quite decent.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “decent” translations and entries decente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
