delgado
/delˈɡado/
The Spanish word delgado means thin or slim.
delgado is the standard term used to describe a person or an object that has very little fat or thickness. It is a neutral way to describe someone as thin or slim.
Which one should you use?
While delgado is neutral or even positive, the word flaco is more colloquial and can sometimes imply that someone is underweight or 'skinny' in a less flattering way.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use the feminine form delgada if the subject is female. Use the masculine plural form delgados when describing a group of males or a mixed-gender group. Use the feminine plural form delgadas when describing a group consisting only of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/delˈɡado/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, Flaco or Flaca is used as a common term of endearment for a partner or friend, regardless of their actual weight.
- The Spanish word delgado is a linguistic cousin to the English word 'delicate'. Both words share a common ancestor in the Latin 'delicatus', which originally referred to something fine or refined.
- Spanish uses the word delgado to describe a 'thin' voice, though it often implies the voice is high-pitched or lacks resonance rather than just being quiet.
Examples in context
- Juan es delgado y atlético.Juan is thin and athletic.
- Ella tiene una figura delgada.She has a slim figure.
- Mi hermano es muy flaco.My brother is very skinny.
- Prefiero mantenerme flaco.I prefer to stay thin.
- ¡Mira ese flacucho, puede comer una pizza completa sin engordar!Look at that skinny guy, he can eat a whole pizza without gaining weight!
- Mi amiga es flacucha pero come como un elefante.My friend is skinny but eats like an elephant.
- Ese actor es tan flacuchento que desaparece de perfil.That actor is so thin that he disappears from the side.
- Mi vecino es flacuchento pero come muchísimo.My neighbor is extremely skinny but eats a lot.
- Es una mujer muy delgada.She is a very thin woman.
- El libro es muy delgado.The book is very thin.
- Él es muy delgado.He is very thin.
- Ese libro es muy delgado.That book is very thin.
- Ella tiene un brazo delgado.She has a thin arm.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are looking at a photo of a marathon runner.
- Elena¿Ves al corredor en la foto?Do you see the runner in the photo?
- AlejandroSí, es un hombre muy delgado.Yes, he is a very thin man.
- ElenaParece que entrena mucho.It looks like he trains a lot.
- AlejandroSeguro que sí, Elena.Surely he does, Elena.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry delgado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries delgado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
