'Sensible' in English does not mean what 'sensible' means in Spanish.
"Sensible" in English does NOT mean what it does in Spanish. In English it means reasonable, wise, or practical: someone with good judgment. "A sensible decision" = a wise decision.
That is a very sensible decision.
Wear sensible shoes for the hike.
She is a sensible woman who thinks before acting.
"Sensitive" is the equivalent of Spanish "sensible": emotionally responsive or easily affected. "She's very sensitive" = she reacts strongly to emotional or physical stimuli.
She is very sensitive about her appearance.
He has sensitive skin that reacts to sunscreen.
This is a sensitive topic, so let's be careful.
Common mistake
Trick to remember it
Quick rule
Meaning "reasonable" or "practical"? "Sensible." Meaning "emotionally reactive" or "easily affected"? "Sensitive."
Did you know?
Spanish and English both inherited these words from Latin "sensibilis" (capable of feeling). Over the centuries, Spanish kept the original emotional meaning (sensible = who feels easily), while English shifted it toward the intellectual meaning (sensible = who has good sense). SENSITIVE in English maintains the most faithful original Latin meaning. And SENSITIVE has additional uses: "sensitive information" (confidential information that should not be disclosed), "politically sensitive" (politically delicate), "price sensitive" (greatly affected by price changes). The Spanish "sensato" would be the most direct translation of English "sensible," but few people keep that in mind in practice.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
She made a very _____ decision to save money before moving abroad.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
He's very _____ about criticism. He gets upset very easily.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
'Currently' means 'at the present time'; 'actually' means 'in reality', not 'nowadays'.
"Above" is at a higher level without contact; "over" implies covering, movement, or crossing.
"Actually" corrects or contrasts an assumption; "really" intensifies or confirms.
'Adopt' means to take something on as your own; 'adapt' means to adjust to something new.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy