simpatíasvssimpáticoWhat's the difference?

Quick tell: simpatías is a noun, simpático is an adjective, so they fill different roles in a sentence.

Which to use

“simpatías” is a noun and “simpático” is an adjective - they look or sound alike but fill different roles in a sentence.

#25,815
“simpatías” frequency rank
#12,057
“simpático” frequency rank
37872
confusion score

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature simpatías simpático
Definition Forma del plural de simpatía. Que inspira simpatía.

Where the spellings diverge

Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set simpatías and simpático apart are highlighted. They share 5 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.

9 ch
simpatías
9 ch
simpático

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

These two trip readers on the page rather than in the ear: simpatías is [sĩmpaˈt̪ias] while simpático is [sĩmˈpat̪iko]. Spoken aloud the problem disappears. In writing it persists, because they share most of their letters but differ in 4 positions, and the parts of speech differ too (noun vs adjective), which is usually the fastest check. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 37872, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.

simpatías is recorded at frequency rank #25,815, classified as anoun, pronounced [sĩmpaˈt̪ias]. simpático is at rank #12,057, tagged as anadj, pronounced [sĩmˈpat̪iko].

Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.

With a confusion score of 37872, this pair ranks #173,025 of 323,831 scored Spanish confusable pairs - roughly mid-pack for confusability.

Orthographic DNA of simpatías vs simpático

Shared letters: impst. Private to "simpatías": . Private to "simpático": coá.

"simpatías" · 9 letters · shape CVCCVCVVC  ·  "simpático" · 9 letters · shape CVCCVCVCV

Frequency comparison

simpatías#25,815
simpático#12,057

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list

Frequently Asked Questions

Can "simpatías" and "simpático" be used interchangeably?
No - they are not even the same part of speech. "simpatías" is a noun and "simpático" an adjective, so a sentence built for one is usually ungrammatical with the other.
Which is more common, "simpatías" or "simpático"?
"simpático" is the more common of the two: it sits at frequency rank #12,057 in our Spanish list, against #25,815 for "simpatías". The two are close in frequency, so neither is a safe default; check the meaning rather than guessing.

Remembering simpatías vs simpático

The fastest way to pick the right one every time.

  • Check the role first: if you need a noun, it's “simpatías”; for an adjective, it's “simpático”.
  • See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “simpatías” entry
  • Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list