Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Kind in Spanish
Amable · adjective · ah-MAH-bleh
The Spanish word for kind (as a personality trait) is 'amable,' meaning friendly, warm, and considerate. When 'kind' is used to mean 'type' or 'sort,' the translation is 'tipo.' Knowing both meanings helps avoid confusion, as the two English senses of the word map to completely different Spanish words.
Amable is pronounced ah-MAH-bleh. The stress falls on the second syllable 'ma.' The word ends with a soft 'eh' sound and does not change form for gender.
Tu vecina es una persona muy amable.
Your neighbor is a very kind person.
Kind in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for kind, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| amable | kind | ah-MAH-bleh | Default, widely understood |
| bondadoso | kind | emphasizes innate goodness | |
| gentil | kind | courteous and gentle | |
| tipo | kind | when 'kind' means 'type' or 'sort' |
How Native Speakers Use Amable
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Complimenting someone
Gracias por ser tan amable conmigo.
Thank you for being so kind to me.
Expressing gratitude for someone's kindness.
Describing a trait
El profesor es bondadoso con todos sus alumnos.
The teacher is kind to all his students.
Using the synonym bondadoso for deeper goodness.
Kind as type
¿Qué tipo de música te gusta?
What kind of music do you like?
Using 'tipo' when kind means category or sort.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Amable
Using amable for type
Incorrect: ¿Qué amable de comida prefieres?
Correct: ¿Qué tipo de comida prefieres?
When 'kind' means 'type' or 'sort,' the correct Spanish word is 'tipo,' not 'amable,' which only means kind as a personality trait.
Adding gender change to amable
Incorrect: Ella es muy amablo.
Correct: Ella es muy amable.
Amable ends in 'e' and does not change for masculine or feminine — the same form is used for everyone.
Lock in Kind Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Amable used by native speakers
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Common Questions About Kind in Spanish
- Does amable change based on gender?
- Amable is a gender-invariant adjective, keeping the same form for both masculine and feminine subjects — you say 'el hombre amable' and 'la mujer amable' without any modification.
- What is the difference between amable and bondadoso?
- Amable describes someone who is polite and pleasant in their interactions, while bondadoso suggests a deeper, more innate goodness and generosity of spirit.
- How do you say 'kindness' in Spanish?
- The noun form is 'amabilidad' for general kindness and courtesy, or 'bondad' for a deeper sense of goodness and benevolence.