Sign in
sensible and Spanish sensible
In English
sensible
practical / showing good judgment
In Spanish
sensible
emocional
Spanish "sensible" means: sensitive
Why they get mixed up Spanish "sensible" is someone who feels deeply, is emotional or delicate. English "sensible" is someone with good judgment and practical sense in situations. Emotionally sensitive in English is "sensitive."
If you want to say...
- sensible (reasonable)sensato o razonable
- sensitivesensible
- a sensible choiceuna opción sensata
Examples
That's a sensible decision.
Esa es una decisión sensata.
Be sensible and save some money.
Sé sensato y ahorra algo de dinero.
It's not sensible to drive in this storm.
No es sensato conducir con esta tormenta.
She gave me sensible advice.
Ella me dio un consejo sensato.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Fue una decisión muy sensible.
Correct: Fue una decisión muy sensata.
In Spanish, sensible means sensitive. For "sensible" (reasonable) use sensato or razonable.
Incorrect: Sé sensible, no gastes todo tu dinero.
Correct: Sé sensato, no gastes todo tu dinero.
Saying "sé sensible" would tell someone to be emotional, not wise.
Phrases you will hear
- a sensible decisionuna decisión sensata
- sensible shoeszapatos prácticos
- Be sensible.Sé sensato.
- sensitive skinpiel sensible
- a sensitive topicun tema delicado
- sensitive to lightsensible a la luz
In a conversation
- A:
I'm going to buy a sports car with my savings.
Voy a comprar un auto deportivo con mis ahorros.
- B:
Be sensible. You need money for rent.
Sé sensato. Necesitas dinero para el alquiler.
- A:
You're right. I'm just sensitive about my old car.
Tienes razón. Es que soy sensible con mi auto viejo.
- B:
Then buy a sensible used one.
Entonces compra uno usado y sensato.
Test yourself
A "sensible person" is...
To remember it
Sensible (English) = showing good sense/practical judgment. Emotionally sensitive (Spanish "sensible") = sensitive.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "sensible" mean?
Spanish "sensible" means "sensitive". It looks like the English "sensible", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "sensible" means "practical / showing good judgment".
Does English "sensible" mean the same as Spanish "sensible"?
Spanish "sensible" is someone who feels deeply, is emotional or delicate. English "sensible" is someone with good judgment and practical sense in situations. Emotionally sensitive in English is "sensitive."