persuasivo
/peɾswaˈsibo/
The English word 'persuasive' can be translated into Spanish using persuasivo. Wiktionary also lists convincente and persuasor.
Meaning: convincing (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| persuasivo | /peɾswaˈsibo/ |
| convincente | /kombinˈθente/ /kombinˈsente/ |
| persuasor | /peɾswaˈsoɾ/ |
| persuasorio | /peɾswaˈsoɾjo/ |
| suasorio | /swasoɾjo/ (from spelling rules) |
Which one should you use?
While persuasivo describes someone's ability to influence others, convincente is more commonly used to describe an argument, evidence or a person's ability to prove a point.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term suasorio is a highly formal or technical term used in legal or rhetorical contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective persuasivo must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. It changes to persuasiva for feminine nouns, persuasivos for masculine plural nouns and persuasivas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾswaˈsibo/
Did you know?
- If you want to say someone is 'very persuasive' in an informal way, you might use the phrase tiene mucha labia, which literally translates to 'having much lip'.
- The adjective convincente is often preferred when talking about a 'convincing' performance in an acting or musical sense, whereas English might use 'powerful' or 'compelling'.
- Spanish speakers can use the noun persuasión to describe the act of influencing, just like the English 'persuasion', but the verb persuadir is much less common in daily conversation than convencer.
Examples in context
- Puedo ser muy persuasivo.I can be very persuasive.This sentence shows how to use the form persuasivo to describe oneself.Tatoeba #2300910 by marcelostockle, translation #2300632 by CK
- Tom sabía perfectamente que tan convincente podría ser Mary.Tom knew that Mary could be very persuasive.This sentence demonstrates the use of the form convincente to describe a person's capability.Tatoeba #2592635 by leoruilova, translation #1093348 by CK
- El gran enemigo de la verdad no es a menudo la mentira, -deliberada, artificiosa y deshonesta-, sino el mito, persistente, persuasivo y fantasioso.The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.This sentence uses the form persuasivo in a descriptive context about a myth.Tatoeba #5948374 by albrusgher, translation #5803497 by Hybrid
- Él es un orador persuasivoHe is a persuasive speaker
- Su argumento es muy convincenteHis argument is very persuasive
- Un artículo que convenceA persuasive article
- Tus argumentos son muy convincentesYour arguments are very persuasive
- Ella podría convencer a las piedrasShe could persuade anyone
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a business proposal.
- ElenaTu argumento fue muy persuasivo en la reunión.Your argument was very persuasive in the meeting.
- DanielGracias, Elena. Me alegra que haya funcionado.Thanks, Elena. I'm glad it worked.
- ElenaLograste que todos aceptaran el plan.You managed to get everyone to accept the plan.
- DanielSolo presenté los datos de forma clara.I just presented the data clearly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “persuasive” translations and entries persuasivo, convincente, persuasor, persuasorio, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
