Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| desagradable | /desaɡɾaˈdable/ | |
| desapacible | /desapaˈθible/ /desapaˈsible/ |
|
| insuave | /inswabe/ (from spelling rules) | rare |
| nada placentero | /nada plaθenteɾo/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /nada plasenteɾo/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| poco placible | /poko plaθible/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /poko plasible/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| no plácido | /no plaθido/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /no plasido/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
The word desagradable is a common and neutral way to say 'unpleasant' in Spanish. Depending on the context and intensity, other words might be more appropriate: molesto/a is used for things that are 'annoying' or 'irritating', while asqueroso/a is used for things that are 'disgusting' or extremely repugnant. In a figurative sense, the word feo/a (which literally means 'ugly') is often used to describe someone or something that is not nice or is unpleasant.
What does it mean word for word?
The word desagradable is formed by the prefix des- (meaning un- or dis-) and the word agradable, which means 'pleasant'.
Which one should you use?
While desagradable is the standard term, you may encounter other forms. Desapacible is another option, and insuave is a much rarer term. You may also see descriptive phrases like nada placentero, poco placible or no plácido.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word engorroso/a is used to describe something that is unpleasant or annoying. In some Latin American countries, the term feísimo/a (meaning 'extremely ugly') is used to express that something is unpleasant.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, desagradable must agree in number with the noun it modifies. For plural nouns, use desagradables.
How do you pronounce it?
/desaɡɾaˈdable/
Did you know?
- The word nada, used in the phrase nada placentero to mean 'nothing', actually comes from the Latin expression for 'no born thing'.
- The term insuave is an extremely rare way to say 'unpleasant' and is almost never used in daily conversation, appearing mainly in very old or highly poetic texts.
Examples in context
- Él es un sujeto desagradable.He is an unpleasant fellow.This sentence shows how to describe an unpleasant person using desagradable.Tatoeba #1431541 by marcelostockle, translation #289267 by Eldad
- Eso fue desagradable para mí.That was unpleasant to me.This sentence demonstrates the use of desagradable to describe an experience.Tatoeba #8902435 by mialiesperantistas, translation #7953102 by shekitten
- Ella es desagradable y brusca.She is unpleasant and abrasive.This sentence provides an example of using desagradable to describe a person's personality.Tatoeba #9769854 by Eremon, translation #5789963 by Eccles17
- La situación es desagradableThe situation is unpleasant
- Es molesto tener que esperar tantoIt's unpleasant to have to wait so long
- La reunión fue muy incómodaThe meeting was very uncomfortable
- El clima está feo hoyThe weather is unpleasant today
- ¡Qué asqueroso es ese olor!How disgusting that smell is!
- Tuvo una experiencia horrible en el hospitalHe had a horrible experience at the hospital
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about a restaurant they visited.
- SofíaLa comida de ese lugar era desagradable.The food at that place was unpleasant.
- AlejandroSí, y el servicio también fue muy lento.Yes, and the service was also very slow.
- SofíaNo quiero volver a ir allí.I don't want to go back there.
- AlejandroYo tampoco, Sofía.Me neither, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unpleasant” translations and entries desagradable, desapacible, 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 desagradable, desapacible, nada, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
