caprichoso
/kapɾiˈt͡ʃoso/
The English word 'whimsical' can be translated into Spanish as caprichoso. If unsure, use caprichoso. Wiktionary also lists antojadizo.
Meaning: Given to whimsy, capricious, odd, peculiar, playful, light-hearted or amusing (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| caprichoso | /kapɾiˈt͡ʃoso/ |
| antojadizo | /antoxaˈdiθo/ /antoxaˈdiso/ |
Whimsical in Spanish describes someone or something that is given to whimsy, peculiar, odd, playful, light-hearted or amusing.
Which one should you use?
While caprichoso can be used in a playful sense to mean 'whimsical', it often carries a more negative connotation of being 'fickle' or 'unreliable' than the English word.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the words disparatado or disparatada can be used to describe something that is whimsical or absurd.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective caprichoso must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to caprichosa for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/kapɾiˈtʃoso/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word antojo is used specifically to describe the peculiar food cravings experienced during pregnancy.
- In many Spanish-speaking contexts, capricho can refer specifically to a luxury item or an expensive indulgence rather than just a psychological whim.
- The Spanish word caprichoso shares its DNA with the English word 'caprice', both originating from the Italian 'capriccio'.
Examples in context
- El niño tiene una imaginación juguetonaThe child has a whimsical imagination
- El jardín es un lugar caprichoso lleno de flores coloridasThe garden is a whimsical place filled with colorful flowers
- La película de animación es un mundo fantástico y caprichosoThe animated film is a whimsical and fantastical world
- un diseño caprichosoA whimsical design
- una niña caprichosaA whimsical/spoiled girl
- Tiene un estilo muy caprichoso y colorido.It has a very whimsical and colorful style.
- El diseño de la casa es caprichoso.The design of the house is whimsical.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are looking at a piece of modern art.
- AlejandroMe gusta este cuadro, es muy caprichoso.I like this painting, it's very whimsical.
- LucíaEs cierto, los colores son muy alegres.That's true, the colors are very cheerful.
- AlejandroParece un sueño extraño y divertido.It looks like a strange and fun dream.
- LucíaTienes razón, Alejandro. Es muy original.You are right, Alejandro. It is very original.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “whimsical” translations and entries caprichoso, antojadizo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries antojadizo, caprichoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
