esbelto
/esˈbelto/
The Spanish word for slender is esbelto.
Esbelto is used to describe someone who is thin in an attractive or graceful way.
Which one should you use?
While delgado is a neutral term for being thin or skinny, esbelto specifically implies a graceful or attractive thinness. Furthermore, flaco is an informal term that can be less flattering, often implying someone is skinny or scrawny, whereas esbelto is a compliment.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, some may use esbelto/a to convey the idea of being slender.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes to agree with the gender and number of the person being described: use esbelta for a feminine singular subject, esbeltos for a masculine plural subject and esbeltas for a feminine plural subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈbelto/
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, flaco can be used as a generic way to address a stranger or acquaintance, similar to 'mate' or 'buddy' in English.
- To describe someone who is dangerously thin, Spanish speakers often use the phrase está en los huesos, which literally means 'he or she is in the bones'.
- The Spanish word esbelto is a direct cousin of the English word 'svelte'. Both trace their origins back to the Italian word svelto.
Examples in context
- A pesar de estar delgado no es para nada esbelto.Skinny as he is, he's not slender at all.This sentence is useful for highlighting the difference between being thin and being slender using esbelto.Tatoeba #1682423 by termito2nd, translation #9400734 by DJ_Saidez
- Había una vez un campesino gordo y feo que se había enamorado de una princesa hermosa y rubia. Un día la princesa le dio un beso al feo y gordo campesino. Y, mágicamente, éste se transformó en un esbelto y apuesto príncipe. Por lo menos, así lo veía ella. Por lo menos, así se sentía él.There was once a fat, ugly peasant who fell in love with a beautiful, blonde princess. One day, the princess kissed the ugly, fat peasant, and he magically transformed into a slender, handsome prince. At least, that's how she saw him. At least, that's how he felt.This sentence uses esbelto to describe a transformation into a handsome prince.Tatoeba #5396128 by ecorralest101, translation #5396437 by mailohilohi
- Ella es una mujer delgadaShe is a slender woman
- El modelo tiene una figura delgada y eleganteThe model has a slender and elegant figure
- Ella tiene una figura bastante delgada y esbeltaShe has a quite slender and slim figure
- El modelo tiene un cuerpo esbelto y atlético.The model has a slender and athletic body.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing a new fashion model in a magazine.
- MateoMira este modelo, es muy esbelto.Look at this model, he is very slender.
- LucíaTienes razón, tiene una figura elegante.You are right, he has an elegant figure.
- MateoLa ropa le queda perfecta así.The clothes fit him perfectly like that.
- LucíaSí, se ve muy sofisticado.Yes, he looks very sophisticated.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry esbelto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries esbelto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
