Spanish Word of the Day: Adorable (cute / adorable)

The Spanish word adorable means cute or adorable in English. It originates from the Latin word adorabilis, which derives from the verb adorare, meaning to adore. 

The word adorable can be used to describe a female or masculine noun without any change in form.

Initially, the word adorable was used in a religious context to describe something worthy of adoration or reverence. Adorable comes from the Spanish verb “adorar,” which means to worship or adore. This is why it was primarily used for religious purposes, such as worshipping a saint. Although this usage is less common today, it can still occasionally be heard.

For example, in English, we might say, This saint is worshipable. In Spanish, it translates to, Este santo es adorable. However, in this context, it’s more common to say, This saint is worthy of worship, which translates to Este santo es digno de adoración. In this sentence, we use the noun instead of the adjective form of the verb adorar (to worship).

Over time, the word adorable began to be used differently, to describe and show affection toward people, animals, and things worthy of admiración (admiration). It is used to express love and tenderness, such as when referring to a cute puppy or someone’s beautiful earrings or outfit.

Another way adorable is used is to talk about a quality or trait that inspires affection, love, and admiration. For example, a boyfriend who writes a beautiful love letter to his girlfriend or a husband who brings a warm cup of coffee to his wife’s bedside every morning can be considered engaging in adorable actions.

When using adorable in this context, it’s more common to say a simple ¡Qué adorable! (How cute!). The topic is usually understood, so it’s not necessary to include it in the sentence. However, sometimes you might want to include the entire topic for clarity or emphasis. Examples include:

• ¡Que adorable que le traiga flores todos los domingos! (How cute that he brings her flowers every Sunday.)
• Es adorable la forma en que cuida a su mamá. (The way he takes care of his mom is adorable.)

Other words related to adorable are:

• adorablemente = adorably
• adorabilidad = adorableness

Here are some example sentences showing how these words can be used:

• Los cachorros se acurrucaron adorablemente a lado de la perra. (The puppies snuggle adorably next to the dog.)
• La adorablilidad del bebé conquistó a todas las enfermeras del hospital. (The baby’s adorableness conquered all the nurses in the hospital.)

Synonyms for adorable include the words lindo (lovely), encantador (charming), agradable (pleasant), and cautivador (captivating). 

Antonyms include detestable (detestable), aborrecible (abhorrent), repugnante (disgusting), and desagradable (unpleasant).