gracias por tus amables palabras
/ɡɾaθjas poɾ tus amables palabɾas/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "thank you for your kind words" is expressed as gracias por tus amables palabras.
This phrase is a polite expression used to show gratitude when someone says something nice or complimentary to you.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of gracias (thanks), por (for), tus (your), amables (kind/nice) and palabras (words).
Which one should you use?
While amables means "kind", it is more common in Spanish to use lindas (pretty/lovely) or bellas (beautiful) in very heartfelt or poetic contexts, though amables is perfectly correct and polite.
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to someone you know well or who is of equal or lower social status, use the possessive adjective tus. To address someone formally or to address a group of people, use the possessive adjective sus instead of tus. In informal settings, you may also use the pronoun te in the phrase te agradezco tus amables palabras.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡɾaθjas poɾ tus amables palabɾas/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, receiving a compliment can be met with a modest no es para tanto, meaning 'it is not that much'.
- The word gracias shares a linguistic root with the English word 'grace', both originating from the Latin 'gratia', which refers to charm, favor, or a sense of being pleasing.
- While a learner might use amables to mean 'kind', the word itself is closely related to 'amabilidad', which comes from 'amigo' (friend), implying that a kind word is one that feels friendly.
Examples in context
- Gracias por sus amables palabras sobre mi presentación en la reunión. Aprecio mucho su apoyo y comentarios positivos. Trabajar en este proyecto ha sido un verdadero placer.Thank you for your kind words about my presentation during the meeting. I greatly appreciate your support and positive feedback. Working on this project has been a true pleasure.
- Gracias por tus amables palabras sobre mi actuación en la obra de teatro. Saber que cuento con tu apoyo significa mucho para mí. ¡No puedo esperar a compartir más momentos como este contigo!Thank you for your kind words about my performance in the play. Knowing that I have your support means a lot to me. I can't wait to share more moments like this with you!
- ¡Muchas gracias por tus palabras tan lindas! Me alegra que te haya gustado mi nueva receta. Si tienes alguna otra sugerencia, ¡estaré encantado de escucharla!Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad you liked my new recipe. If you have any other suggestions, I'll be happy to hear them!
- Gracias por tus amables palabras, de verdad.Thank you for your kind words, truly.
- Muchas gracias por tus amables palabras sobre mi trabajo.Many thanks for your kind words about my work.
- Gracias por tus amables palabras, me haces sentir muy bien.Thank you for your kind words, you make me feel very good.
Example conversation
Alejandro tells María that she did a great job on her presentation.
- MaríaLo hiciste increíble, María.You did amazing, María.
- AlejandroGracias por tus amables palabras, Alejandro.Thank you for your kind words, Alejandro.
- MaríaEs la verdad, te esforzaste mucho.It is the truth, you worked very hard.
- AlejandroAprecio mucho que me lo digas.I really appreciate you telling me that.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gracias, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
