tentación
/tentaˈθjon/feminine
The Spanish word for temptation is tentación.
tentación is a noun used to describe something attractive, tempting or seductive. You can use idiomatic phrases to describe reacting to a temptation: ceder a la tentación means to give in to temptation, and caer en la tentación means to fall into or yield to temptation. If you need an adjective to describe someone or something as tempting or seductive, use the masculine form tentador or the feminine form tentadora.
Meaning: something attractive, tempting or seductive (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun tentación is feminine, so when referring to 'the temptation' specifically, you use the feminine article la tentación.
How do you pronounce it?
/tentaˈθjon/
Did you know?
- Because it comes from the Latin 'tentare', the Spanish word carries the same linguistic DNA as the English 'attempt', as both involve testing or trying something.
- The verb 'tentar', related to tentación, can also mean to 'test' or 'probe' a situation, such as 'tentar el terreno' (to test the waters).
- In certain religious contexts in Spanish-speaking countries, la tentación is often personified as a specific spiritual struggle rather than just a feeling.
Examples in context
- Él cedió a la tentación.He gave in to the temptation.This sentence demonstrates how to use tentación when someone gives in to it.Tatoeba #1332229 by Shishir, translation #290875 by CK
- Nunca cedió a la tentación.He never gave in to temptation.This sentence shows the use of tentación in a negative context regarding never giving in.Tatoeba #7958327 by Seael, translation #289793 by CM
- No debes caer en la tentación.You must not yield to temptation.This sentence illustrates the advice or command not to yield to tentación.Tatoeba #5494912 by baudelaire, translation #324512 by CK
- La tentación de comer ese postre delicioso es demasiado fuerte.The temptation to eat that delicious dessert is too strong.
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel are looking at a dessert menu.
- MaríaEse pastel de chocolate es una tentación.That chocolate cake is a temptation.
- DanielTienes razón, se ve delicioso.You are right, it looks delicious.
- MaríaNo creo que pueda resistir la tentación.I don't think I can resist the temptation.
- DanielPidamos uno para compartir, María.Let's order one to share, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “temptation” translations and entries tentación, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tentación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
