delicado
/deliˈkado/
The English word 'delicate' is translated into Spanish as delicado.
Delicado is the direct translation for 'delicate' and is used to describe things that are easily damaged or require careful handling. When referring to a person, delicado can describe someone who is physically frail or emotionally sensitive. While delicado is the direct translation, other words may be more appropriate depending on the context: fino/a is used for something delicate or fine, exquisito/a denotes delicate beauty or refined tastes, sutil conveys subtlety or delicacy and frágil means 'fragile'.
Meaning: easily damaged or requiring careful handling (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, delicado must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form delicada for feminine nouns, the masculine plural form delicados for masculine plural nouns and the feminine plural form delicadas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /deliˈkado/.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling a man delicado can be a subtle insult suggesting he is overly fussy or lacks masculinity.
- When discussing a 'delicate' medical condition, a doctor might use delicado to signal that a patient is in critical condition or unstable.
- The Spanish word delicado is a linguistic sibling to the word delgado, which means 'thin'.
Examples in context
- Es un problema delicado.It's a delicate problem.This sentence uses delicado to describe a problem.Tatoeba #1292596 by marcelostockle, translation #42305 by CK
- Ese es un asunto delicado.That's a delicate matter.This sentence uses delicado to describe a matter.Tatoeba #10266681 by Seael, translation #10266676 by bekindtoall
- Es un equilibrio muy delicado.It's a very delicate balance.This sentence uses delicado to describe a balance.Tatoeba #7949004 by Seael, translation #7126770 by CM
- una flor delicadaa delicate flower
- un cristal finofine crystal
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are moving some old glassware.
- DanielTen cuidado, este cristal es muy delicado.Be careful, this glass is very delicate.
- SofíaLo sé, lo voy a mover con cuidado.I know, I am going to move it carefully.
- DanielGracias, no queremos que se rompa.Thanks, we don't want it to break.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, soy muy cuidadosa.Don't worry, I am very careful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “delicate” translations and entries delicado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries delicado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
