diligente
/diliˈxente/
The English word diligent is translated into Spanish as diligente.
The adjective diligente is used to describe someone who is hard-working and focused. To express that someone is very dedicated to something, you can use the phrase ser muy dedicado/a a. In many Spanish-speaking contexts, the word flojo is used as the direct antonym to describe someone who is lazy or lacks effort instead of being diligent.
Meaning: hard-working and focused (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term trabajador/a is frequently used to refer to someone who is hardworking and diligent.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective diligente is invariant in gender, meaning it stays the same whether describing a male or female. However, it must agree in number with the noun it modifies. For example, it changes from diligente to diligentes when describing more than one person.
How do you pronounce it?
/diliˈxente/
Did you know?
- To describe a diligent worker, Spanish speakers often use the phrase ponerse las pilas, which literally means 'to put in one's batteries'.
- While diligente describes a personality trait, the noun diligencia was historically the word for a horse-drawn stagecoach.
- The Spanish word diligente shares its DNA with the English word 'diligence', as both descend from the Latin 'diligere', which originally meant 'to prize highly' or 'to love'.
Examples in context
- Todos ustedes son diligentes.You are all diligent.This sentence uses diligente to address a group.Tatoeba #2900063 by cueyayotl, translation #544192 by Swift
- Algunos niños son diligentes, otros son flojos.Some boys are diligent, others are idle.This sentence uses diligente to contrast diligent children with those who are idle.Tatoeba #2944058 by marcelostockle, translation #18844 by Zifre
- George es el chico más diligente de nuestra clase.George is the most diligent boy in our class.This sentence uses diligente to identify the most diligent boy in a class.Tatoeba #1272524 by marcelostockle, translation #52954 by CN
- Ella es una estudiante muy diligenteShe is a very diligent student
- El empleado es muy aplicado y siempre cumple con sus responsabilidadesThe employee is very diligent and always fulfills their responsibilities
- Mi hermano es un currante, siempre está ocupadoMy brother is a hard worker, he's always busy
- Juanita es muy aplicadita en la escuelaJuanita is very diligent at school
- María es muy trabajadora y siempre cumple con sus responsabilidadesMaría is very diligent and always fulfills her responsibilities
- Julio es muy dedicado a su trabajoJulio is very diligent in his work
- Me entrego por completo a mis estudiosI am fully dedicated to my studies
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are discussing a new coworker.
- SofíaEl nuevo empleado es muy diligente.The new employee is very diligent.
- AlejandroSí, termina todo su trabajo rápido.Yes, he finishes all his work quickly.
- SofíaEs bueno tener a alguien tan diligente.It is good to have someone so diligent.
- AlejandroEstoy de acuerdo, Sofía.I agree, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “diligent” translations and entries diligente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diligente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
