Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
KINDNESS in Spanish: AMABILIDAD
Amabilidad · noun · ah-mah-bee-lee-DAHD
Spanish distinguishes between amabilidad (kindness as politeness and warmth in interaction) and bondad (kindness as moral goodness of character). This distinction allows for more precise expression—you might praise a stranger's amabilidad for holding a door, but describe a lifelong friend's bondad when they sacrifice for others.
ah-mah-bee-lee-DAHD
Su amabilidad me sorprendió gratamente.
Her kindness pleasantly surprised me.
kindness in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for kindness, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| amabilidad | kindness | ah-mah-bee-lee-DAHD | Default, widely understood |
| bondad | kindness | goodness/kindness of heart | |
| gentileza | kindness | gentleness/courtesy |
How Native Speakers Use Amabilidad
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Thanking Someone
Gracias por su amabilidad, señora.
Thank you for your kindness, ma'am.
Expressing gratitude for someone's considerate behavior.
Character Description
La bondad de mi abuela no tenía límites.
My grandmother's kindness knew no bounds.
Describing deep, inherent goodness in someone's character.
Request
¿Tendría la gentileza de ayudarme con esto?
Would you have the kindness to help me with this?
Very formal way to request assistance using gentileza.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Amabilidad
Confusing Amabilidad and Bondad
Incorrect: Gracias por su bondad (to a stranger who helped once).
Correct: Gracias por su amabilidad.
Bondad implies deep moral goodness and is strong for a simple act of courtesy. Amabilidad is more appropriate for everyday kindness from strangers or acquaintances.
Gender Error
Incorrect: El amabilidad es importante.
Correct: La amabilidad es importante.
Amabilidad is feminine (like all words ending in -dad). It requires the feminine article la.
Lock in kindness Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Amabilidad used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using amabilidad in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Su amabilidad me sorprendió gratamente. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About kindness in Spanish
- What is the difference between amabilidad and bondad?
- Amabilidad refers to kindness in social interactions—being friendly, courteous, and warm. Bondad is deeper, referring to moral goodness and generosity of spirit. A waiter shows amabilidad; a saint shows bondad.
- How do I say random act of kindness in Spanish?
- The phrase is acto de bondad al azar or acto de amabilidad espontáneo. The concept has become popular in Spanish-speaking countries, sometimes appearing as simply acto de bondad.
- Can I use gentileza in everyday Spanish?
- Gentileza sounds formal and elegant. It works well in polite requests (¿Tendría la gentileza de...?) or in praising exceptional courtesy. In everyday casual speech, amabilidad is more common and natural.