Spanish word

gentileza

Pronunciation

IPA/xentiˈleθa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounkindness

Example

Gracias por tu gentileza.

Thank you for your kindness.

Illustration for gentileza (kindness)

More examples

Por gentileza, cierre la puerta.

Please close the door.

Core concept

A considerate gesture of assistance or polite treatment.

Common phrases

  • por gentileza

    please

  • mostrar gentileza

    show kindness

  • actos de gentileza

    acts of kindness

Similar words

amabilidad: Warm, friendly attitude or consistent kindness toward others.
cortesía: Polite, formal behavior that follows social manners.
bondad: Compassionate, generous disposition that cares for others.
detalle: Small thoughtful gesture meant to please or acknowledge someone.

Definition in Spanish

Cortesía o amabilidad expresada en un acto concreto, como ayudar a alguien o tratarle con respeto.

Word origin

Formed from Spanish gentil and the suffix -eza, where gentil means courteous and the suffix makes it a noun referring to that quality or an instance of it.

Usage tips

  • Often appears in formal phrases such as tener la gentileza de, which marks polite requests and may feel out of place with close friends.

Other meanings

  • politenessnoun
  • courtesynoun

Opposites

  • crueldadcrueltynoun
  • descortesíarudenessnoun

Related words

  • gentilkindadjective
  • gentilmentepolitelyadverb

Word lists with this word