alegre
/aˈleɡɾe/
The English phrase "jolly" can be translated into Spanish as alegre.
alegre is used to describe someone who is feeling or showing happiness and cheerfulness. It can refer to a person's temperament or a current state of cheerfulness.
Which one should you use?
While alegre describes a person's temperament or a current state of cheerfulness, the word feliz is more commonly used to describe long-term happiness or a specific state of being happy.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective alegre is invariable in gender, meaning it remains the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. The adjective alegre must agree in number with the noun it modifies, becoming alegres in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈleɡɾe/
Did you know?
- While it means 'cheerful' when describing a person, alegre is used to describe colors that are bright, vivid or neon.
- The word alegre shares an ancient ancestor with the English word 'alacrity', which describes a brisk and cheerful readiness.
- In some contexts, describing a person's laugh as alegre might not just mean they are happy, but that their laugh is loud and boisterous.
Examples in context
- El ambiente festivo y alegre del evento nos hizo disfrutar al máximo.The festive and jolly atmosphere of the event made us enjoy it to the fullest.
- El niño tenía una sonrisa feliz y una mirada llena de alegría.The child had a jolly smile and a gaze full of joy.
- Mi tío es muy dicharachero y siempre anima las reuniones familiares.My uncle is very jolly and always livens up family gatherings.
- Anoche nos pegamos un despiporre en la fiesta de Pablo, ¡te lo perdiste!Last night we had a jolly good time at Pablo's party, you missed out!
- una persona alegreA cheerful person
- Ella está muy alegre hoy.She is very cheerful today.
- El niño tiene un aspecto alegre.The child has a happy look.
- Siempre es una persona alegre.He/she is always a cheerful person.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are talking about a friend's mood.
- Alejandro¿Cómo está tu hermana?How is your sister?
- SofíaElla está muy alegre.She is very cheerful.
- AlejandroMe alegro mucho por ella.I am very happy for her.
- SofíaGracias, Alejandro.Thanks, Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry alegre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alegre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
