Spanish word

capricho

Pronunciation

IPA/kaˈpɾitʃo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounwhim

Example

Lo compré por capricho.

I bought it on a whim.

Illustration for capricho (whim)

More examples

A veces es mejor no ceder a un capricho.

Sometimes it's better not to yield to a whim.

Core concept

A short-lived desire driven by personal taste.

Common phrases

  • satisfacer un capricho

    indulge a whim

  • ceder a un capricho

    yield to a whim

  • tener un capricho

    have a whim

Similar words

antojo: Sudden, intense craving that appears briefly and feels urgent.
deseo: General, ongoing wish for something or someone.
impulso: Sudden inner drive that pushes toward immediate action.

Definition in Spanish

Impulso breve que nace del gusto personal y suele ser pasajero.

Word origin

Borrowed from Italian capriccio, which named an unpredictable, playful musical figure and then generalized in everyday speech to denote a sudden, brief impulse.

Usage tips

  • Looks similar to English caprice, but in Spanish capricho is more colloquial and frequently appears as an explanation for an unplanned buy rather than in formal registers.

Other meanings

  • willfulnessnoun

Opposites

  • decisióndecisionnoun
  • constanciasteadfastnessnoun

Related words

  • caprichosowhimsicaladjective
  • caprichosamentewhimsicallyadverb
  • caprichitosmall whimnoun

Word lists with this word