sonriente
/sonˈrjente/
The English word "smiling" can be translated into Spanish as sonriente or carialegre.
Meaning: that smiles or has a smile (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| sonriente | /sonˈrjente/ |
| carialegre | /kaɾjaleɡɾe/ (from spelling rules) |
Both words are used to describe someone who is smiling or possesses a smiling expression.
What does it mean word for word?
The word sonriente is derived from the verb sonreír, which means to smile.
Which one should you use?
Sonriente is the standard adjective used to describe someone who is currently smiling or has a smiling expression. In contrast, carialegre is a more colloquial term used to describe someone who is habitually cheerful or always has a smile on their face.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective sonriente is invariable in gender, so it remains the same whether you are describing a man or a woman. However, it must agree in number. You should use sonrientes if you are describing multiple people.
How do you pronounce it?
/sonˈrjente/
Did you know?
- Sonriente comes from the Latin subrīdentem, which literally means 'smiling slightly' or 'under-laughing'.
- While sonriente describes the act of smiling, Spanish speakers often use the expression estar con una sonrisa de oreja a oreja to say someone is smiling 'from ear to ear'.
- The term carialegre can function as a noun, allowing you to call a person 'a happy-face' to describe their friendly nature.
Examples in context
- Ella siempre está alegre y sonriente.She is always cheerful and smiling.This sentence shows how to use sonriente to describe a person who is cheerful and smiling.Tatoeba #4180202 by Leono, translation #310499 by CK
- Tom parece estar siempre feliz y sonriente.Tom always seems to be happy and smiling.This sentence illustrates the use of sonriente when describing someone's happy appearance.Tatoeba #4051900 by hayastan, translation #3447120 by CK
- El alba de la mañana descubrió allí a la pequeña, con las mejillas pálidas y la boca sonriente, apoyada contra la pared. Se había congelado hasta morir en la última noche del año, y el sol de Año Nuevo, se levantaba y brillaba sobre el pequeño cadáver!In the dawn of morning there lay the poor little one, with pale cheeks and smiling mouth, leaning against the wall. She had been frozen to death on the last evening of the year, and the New Year's sun rose and shone upon a little corpse!This sentence uses sonriente to describe a smiling mouth.Tatoeba #5000955 by albrusgher, translation #2672581 by Hybrid
- El hombre estaba sonriendo mientras hablaba con su cliente.The man was smiling while talking to his client.
- La recepcionista saludó a los huéspedes con una sonrisa amable.The receptionist greeted the guests with a friendly smile.
- Ella me miró, sonriendo ampliamente.She looked at me, smiling broadly.
- Mis amigos llegaron a la fiesta con una sonrisa en la cara.My friends arrived at the party with a smile on their faces.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking about a new coworker.
- Lucía¿Quién es el chico nuevo de la oficina?Who is the new guy in the office?
- AlejandroSe llama Pablo y es muy sonriente.His name is Pablo and he is very smiling.
- LucíaParece una persona muy amable.He seems like a very kind person.
- AlejandroSí, siempre tiene una cara sonriente.Yes, he always has a smiling face.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smiling” translations and entries sonriente, 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 sonriente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
