soy paciente
/soi paθjente/from spelling rules
The phrase "I am patient" in Spanish is soy paciente.
The phrase is used to describe someone who is able to wait without becoming annoyed or anxious. You can also express this same idea by saying soy una persona paciente, which translates to "I am a patient person".
Which one should you use?
While soy paciente describes patience as a permanent personality trait, using estoy paciente would instead imply that you are being patient only in a specific moment or as a temporary state.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the verb soy (from the verb ser) because being patient is considered a characteristic or personality trait.
Did you know?
- Because paciente ends in e, the word remains the same regardless of whether the person speaking is male or female. It does not change to paciento or pacienta.
- In a medical context, the word paciente means something entirely different. While it can describe a personality trait, it is also the standard Spanish word for a medical 'patient'.
- In Spanish, the phrase tener paciencia treats patience as a possession you have, rather than a quality you are. This makes the concept of patience feel like a tangible resource that can be used up.
Examples in context
- Soy paciente con los niños.I am patient with children.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are waiting in a very long line at a bank.
- Mateo¿Estás enojado por la espera?Are you angry about the wait?
- MaríaNo, no te preocupes, soy paciente.No, don't worry, I am patient.
- MateoQué bueno que eres así.It is good that you are like that.
- MaríaSí, puedo esperar un poco más.Yes, I can wait a little longer.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
