deleite
/deˈleite/masculine
The English word delight can be translated into Spanish as deleite. Wiktionary also lists regocijo and delicia.
Meaning: joy, pleasure (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| deleite | /deˈleite/ | masculine |
| regocijo | /reɡoˈθixo/ /reɡoˈsixo/ |
masculine |
| delicia | /deˈliθja/ /deˈlisja/ |
feminine |
| placer | /plaˈθeɾ/ /plaˈseɾ/ |
masculine |
| delectación | /deleɡtaˈθjon/ /deleɡtaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| gozo | /ˈɡoθo/ /ˈɡoso/ |
masculine |
| deleitación | /deleitaˈθjon/ /deleitaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
Which one should you use?
While all these words mean delight, delicia is the most common way to describe a delightful food or a sensory pleasure. In contrast, placer is often used for physical or momentary pleasure, whereas deleite is more literary and abstract. For a much deeper, more intense or even spiritual sense of delight, use gozo rather than placer.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Delectación is a highly formal, literary term that is rarely used in everyday conversation.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun deleite is used with masculine articles like el or un, while the feminine noun delicia is used with feminine articles like la or una.
How do you pronounce it?
/deˈleite/
Did you know?
- While placer means 'pleasure' or 'delight', it is historically related to the word plaza, meaning 'place' or 'square'.
- The term deleite is frequently used in Spanish poetry to describe a slow, savoring kind of pleasure, rather than a sudden burst of happiness.
Examples in context
- He recibido tu carta y la he leído con deleite.I have received your letter and read it with delight.This sentence shows how to use deleite to describe reading something with pleasure.Tatoeba #1712896 by teskmon, translation #1582778 by eastasiastudent
- Únicamente la soledad es la verdadera delicia de la vida.Only solitude is life's true delight.This sentence illustrates the use of delicia to describe a delightful concept.Tatoeba #1310704 by Shishir, translation #10113971 by DJ_Saidez
- Encontraron un placer secreto en degradarse ante la violencia de los hombres.They find a secret delight in abasing themselves before men of violence.This sentence demonstrates the use of placer in the context of finding a specific feeling.Tatoeba #4042331 by Lisandro586, translation #4042330 by Lisandro586
- Me encanta esta ciudad.I'm delighted by this city.
- Nos ha sido un encanto conocerlo.It has been a delight to meet you.
- Es un placer trabajar con ustedes.It is a delight to work with you.
- Me da mucho placer ayudar a los demás.It gives me great pleasure to help others.
- ¡Qué alegría verte de nuevo!How delightful to see you again!
- Es un gusto conocerte.It's a delight to meet you.
- Siento un gran gozo al escuchar tu música.I feel great delight when listening to your music.
- Disfruto de un gozo inmenso al pasear por la playa.I enjoy immense delight while walking on the beach.
- Me llena de regocijo verlos disfrutar de la fiesta.It fills me with delight to see you enjoying the party.
- El regocijo que sentí al ganar fue indescriptible.The delight I felt upon winning was indescribable.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are visiting an art gallery together.
- DanielEsta pintura es un verdadero deleite para la vista.This painting is a true delight for the eyes.
- SofíaTienes razón, los colores son preciosos.You are right, the colors are beautiful.
- DanielMe produce un gran deleite observar cada detalle.It gives me great delight to observe every detail.
- SofíaYo también disfruto mucho de esta exposición, Daniel.I also enjoy this exhibition very much, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “delight” translations and entries deleite, regocijo, delicia, placer, delectación, gozo, deleitación, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries deleite, delicia, placer, regocijo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
