Spanish Conversation · Level 84
60 words
Spanish word
sutileza
Pronunciation
IPA/sutiˈleθa/
Meaning
- feminine nounsubtlety
Example
No capté la sutileza de su comentario.
I didn't catch the subtlety of his comment.
More examples
El diplomático mostró sutileza cultural en la negociación.
The diplomat showed cultural subtlety in the negotiation.
Core concept
Understated cleverness or finesse revealed in small, precise details.
Common phrases
mostrar sutileza
show subtlety
sutileza cultural
cultural subtlety
Similar words
matiz: Fine gradation of meaning or tone that changes how a phrase is understood.
tacto: Skillful discretion in speech or action intended to avoid causing hurt.
delicadeza: Tender, meticulous politeness or refinement in behavior toward others.
insinuación: A veiled suggestion communicated by hinting instead of saying directly.
Definition in Spanish
Cualidad de quien actúa con ingenio y discreción para lograr un efecto fino o inesperado, manifestada en detalles sutiles.
Word origin
The word comes from the adjective sutil plus the noun-forming suffix -eza, ultimately from Latin subtilis and subtilitas meaning fine or subtle.
Usage tips
- When applied to writing or strategy, sutileza can stress crafty intelligence as well as delicacy, so in competitive situations it may read as cunning rather than gentle refinement.
Other meanings
- delicacynoun
- clevernessnoun
Opposites
- crudezacrudenessnoun
- obviedadobviousnessnoun
Related words
- sutilsubtleadjective
- sutilmentesubtlyadverb