Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say "Thin" in Spanish: Delgado, Flaco, and Fino
Delgado · adjective · dehl-GAH-doh
Thin in Spanish depends on what you're describing. For people: delgado (neutral thin), flaco (skinny, thinner), esbelto (slender, elegant). For objects: fino (thin paper, fabric), delgado (thin slice). Each word carries different connotations.
dehl-GAH-doh — three syllables, stress on GAH. Fino: FEE-noh. Flaco: FLAH-koh.
Mi hermano siempre ha sido muy delgado a pesar de comer mucho.
My brother has always been very thin despite eating a lot.
Thin in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for thin, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| delgado | thin | dehl-GAH-doh | Default, widely understood |
| flaco | thin | Universal (skinny, thinner than delgado) | |
| fino | thin | Universal (thin objects: paper, fabric) | |
| esbelto | thin | Universal (slender, elegant) |
How Native Speakers Use Delgado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Describing a person (neutral)
Es alta y delgada, con el pelo largo y oscuro.
She's tall and thin, with long dark hair.
Delgado/a is the neutral, polite way to describe a thin person.
Thin object (fino)
Corta la cebolla en rodajas muy finas.
Cut the onion into very thin slices.
Fino describes thin objects: slices, fabric, paper, walls. Not used for people's body type.
Skinny (flaco)
Estás muy flaco, ¿has estado comiendo bien?
You're really skinny, have you been eating well?
Flaco implies thinner than delgado and can suggest concern about someone being too thin.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Delgado
Using fino for people
Incorrect: Ella es muy fina. (intending thin body)
Correct: Ella es muy delgada.
Fino for people means refined, elegant, or polite — not physically thin. Ella es muy fina means she's very refined/classy, not she's very thin. Use delgada for body type.
Using delgado for thin objects in all cases
Incorrect: El papel es muy delgado.
Correct: El papel es muy fino.
While delgado can technically describe thin objects, fino is the natural choice for paper, fabric, and similar materials. Delgado works better for body parts and slices.
Lock in Thin 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 Delgado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using delgado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi hermano siempre ha sido muy delgado a pesar de comer mucho. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Thin in Spanish
- How do you say thin in Spanish?
- For people: delgado (neutral thin), flaco (skinny), esbelto (slender/elegant). For objects: fino (thin paper, slices), delgado (thin cut). The choice depends on what you're describing and the connotation you want.
- Is flaco rude in Spanish?
- It depends entirely on context and country. In some countries (Argentina, Cuba), flaco/flaca is a common term of endearment — like calling someone buddy or dear. In others, calling someone flaco can imply they're too thin. Tone and relationship matter.
- What's the opposite of delgado?
- Gordo (fat) is the direct antonym, though it can sound rude. More polite options: con sobrepeso (overweight), llenito (a bit chubby, affectionate), corpulento (heavyset/stocky), robusto (robust/sturdy).