suave
/ˈswabe/
The Spanish word for gentle is suave.
Suave is used to describe something that is soft and mild rather than hard or severe.
Meaning: soft and mild rather than hard or severe (adj)
Which one should you use?
While suave can mean 'gentle' in terms of intensity or temperament, it is also the primary word for 'smooth' or 'soft' when describing textures or surfaces.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈswabe/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers should be careful not to confuse the Spanish suave (meaning gentle or smooth) with the English 'suave' (meaning sophisticated or charming), as they are false friends.
Did you know?
- The Spanish suave descends from the Latin word suāvis, which actually meant 'sweet' or 'pleasant' before it ever meant 'smooth'.
- The word suave can describe a drink or a flavor that is not harsh or acidic, effectively meaning 'smooth' on the palate.
- The concept of 'gentle' in the word suave extends to things like scents or lighting, where it implies the stimulus is 'unobtrusive' and not overwhelming.
Examples in context
- Por favor, sé suave.Please be gentle.This sentence shows how to use suave when making a request.Tatoeba #4557900 by swyter, translation #278302 by CK
- Remaba contra una corriente suave.He was rowing against a gentle current.This sentence uses suave to describe the intensity of a current.Tatoeba #2253908 by cueyayotl, translation #2253907 by _undertoad
- El invierno, largo y cruel, por fin terminó, dejando lugar a una suave y templada primavera.The long cruel winter at last came to an end, giving place to a gentle warm spring.This sentence uses suave to describe a mild spring season.Tatoeba #1330557 by Shishir, translation #278085 by papabear
- Ella tiene una voz suaveShe has a gentle voice
- Él es un hombre amableHe is a gentle man
- La niña acarició el gatito de forma delicadaThe girl gently petted the kitten
- Mi hermano es muy tierno con los animalesMy brother is very gentle with animals
- El bebé tenía una sonrisa apacibleThe baby had a gentle smile
- La amabilidad es una forma de amar que incluye la gentileza, el respeto y la consideración hacia los demásKindness is a form of love that includes gentleness, respect, and consideration for others
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are sitting in a park on a breezy day.
- MaríaSiento una brisa muy suave hoy.I feel a very gentle breeze today.
- AlejandroSí, es un clima muy agradable.Yes, it is very pleasant weather.
- MaríaEl viento es suave y no hace frío.The wind is gentle and it is not cold.
- AlejandroEs perfecto para caminar por aquí.It is perfect for walking around here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry suave, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries suave, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
