Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| suave | /ˈswabe/ |
| no muy alampante | /no mui alampante/ (from spelling rules) |
| leve | /ˈlebe/ |
The term 'mild' is used to describe things that are not sharp, bitter or strong in flavor.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on what you are describing. Use suave to describe flavors that are not strong or a climate that is pleasant and mild. Note that suave is also the standard word for 'smooth' regarding texture or sensation. Use leve when referring to the intensity of a symptom, an event or a sensation, such as a mild headache or a mild breeze, rather than flavor. The phrase no muy alampante can also be used to convey the idea of something not being overly intense.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some other regions, the diminutive form Suavecito is used informally to emphasize just how mild something is.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective suave is invariant in gender, which means it remains the same whether it is describing a masculine or feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈswabe/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using suave to mean 'sophisticated' or 'charming' in a social sense, as English speakers often do. In Spanish, it primarily refers to physical smoothness or the mildness of flavor and climate.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- El pronóstico es leve.The prognosis is mild.This sentence shows how to use leve to describe a prognosis.Tatoeba #7747604 by arh, translation #10335197 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Este es un café muy suave.This is a very mild coffee.This sentence demonstrates the use of suave to describe the flavor of coffee.Tatoeba #3836292 by cueyayotl, translation #55881 by CM
- El clima es suave en este país.The climate is mild in this country.This sentence illustrates how suave describes a mild climate.Tatoeba #1612640 by teskmon, translation #59254 by CK
- Este queso tiene un sabor suave.This cheese has a mild flavor.
- Las temperaturas estarán templadas mañana.The temperatures will be mild tomorrow.
- Prefiero el agua templada para bañarme.I prefer lukewarm water to bathe.
- Tengo una gripe leve.I have a mild flu.
- Juan tuvo una reacción alérgica leve.Juan had a mild allergic reaction.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a restaurant, choosing a dish.
- Javier¿Es muy picante este plato?Is this dish very spicy?
- MaríaNo, tiene un sabor muy suave.No, it has a very mild flavor.
- JavierPerfecto, me gusta lo suave.Perfect, I like mild things.
- MaríaEntonces te gustará mucho.Then you will like it a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mild” translations and entries suave, leve, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alampante, leve, muy, no, suave, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
