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A1 adjective #1,200 가장 일반적인 17분 분량

dulce

상위 1,200

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 dulce 30초 만에

설명 dulce in your Level:

At the A1 level, your primary goal is to master the literal, sensory meaning of 'dulce'. You should understand that it translates directly to 'sweet' and is used to describe the taste of food and drinks. You need to be able to use it in simple sentences with the verb 'ser' to describe inherent characteristics (e.g., 'El azúcar es dulce' - Sugar is sweet) and with the verb 'estar' to describe temporary states or specific tastes (e.g., 'El café está dulce' - The coffee is sweet). You must also learn the basic grammar rule that 'dulce' is gender-neutral, meaning it does not change to 'dulco' or 'dulca', but it must be pluralized to 'dulces' when modifying plural nouns (e.g., 'las manzanas dulces'). Furthermore, you should recognize 'un dulce' as a basic noun meaning 'a candy' or 'a sweet'. Practice using it in basic restaurant or café scenarios, such as requesting 'un té dulce' (a sweet tea) or stating your preferences like 'Me gustan las cosas dulces' (I like sweet things). Building this foundational understanding of its literal meaning and basic grammatical agreement is essential before moving on to its more metaphorical uses.

At the A2 level, you should expand your use of 'dulce' beyond basic food descriptions and begin incorporating its metaphorical meanings into your vocabulary. You should start using 'dulce' to describe people's personalities, understanding that 'una persona dulce' means a sweet, kind, or gentle person. You should be comfortable using it in everyday social interactions and terms of endearment, such as calling a pet or a child 'dulce'. Additionally, you need to recognize and use common fixed phrases and cultural staples like 'pan dulce' (sweet bread) and the nighttime greeting 'dulces sueños' (sweet dreams). Your grammatical accuracy should improve, ensuring you consistently apply the plural 's' when necessary. You should also start distinguishing 'dulce' from its antonyms, such as 'salado' (salty), 'amargo' (bitter), and 'ácido' (sour), allowing you to describe a wider range of flavors and contrast different tastes in conversation. Practice describing your favorite desserts and the personalities of your friends and family members using 'dulce' and its related vocabulary.

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At the B1 level, your understanding of 'dulce' should become more nuanced and contextually aware. You must confidently navigate the ser vs. estar distinction without hesitation, knowing exactly when to say 'es dulce' (it is a sweet thing by nature) versus 'está dulce' (it tastes sweet right now). You should also start exploring regional variations and synonyms. Understand that while 'dulce' is universally understood as candy, words like 'caramelo' or 'golosina' might be preferred in certain countries like Spain. You should begin using more descriptive alternatives like 'azucarado' (sugary) or 'tierno' (tender) to add variety to your speech. Furthermore, you should be able to understand and use 'dulce' in more abstract contexts, such as describing a 'dulce melodía' (sweet melody) or a 'dulce recuerdo' (sweet memory). Your ability to use 'dulce' should seamlessly integrate into longer narratives, such as telling a story about a childhood memory involving a specific sweet treat or describing the complex flavor profile of a traditional dish you tried while traveling.

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At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'dulce' with a high degree of fluency and cultural competence. You should be completely comfortable with idiomatic expressions that utilize the word, such as 'la dulce espera' (the sweet wait, referring to pregnancy) or 'venganza dulce' (sweet revenge). You must understand the subtle difference between 'dulce' and 'empalagoso' (cloying/too sweet), using the latter to express a negative opinion about an overly sugary dessert or an excessively affectionate person. Your vocabulary should include compound nouns like 'dulce de leche' or 'dulce de membrillo', and you should be able to discuss the cultural significance of these foods in different Hispanic regions. You should also be able to recognize 'dulce' when used as an adverbial modifier in poetic or literary contexts, though you may not use it this way yourself frequently. Your spoken and written Spanish should demonstrate a clear understanding of when 'dulce' is the most appropriate word choice versus when a synonym like 'amable', 'cariñoso', or 'meloso' would convey your intended meaning more precisely.

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At the C1 level, your mastery of 'dulce' involves a deep appreciation of its stylistic and literary applications. You should easily comprehend its use in complex metaphors, poetry, and advanced literature, where 'dulce' might describe abstract concepts like freedom, sorrow, or the passage of time (e.g., 'el dulce alivio de la muerte' - the sweet relief of death). You are expected to manipulate the word for rhetorical effect, perhaps placing it before the noun ('un dulce aroma') to elevate the register of your speech or writing. You should be fully aware of the sociolinguistic nuances of the word, understanding how its usage might shift depending on the formality of the situation or the specific regional dialect. You can engage in sophisticated debates about gastronomy, using terms like 'dulzor' (sweetness) and contrasting it with complex flavor profiles. Your use of 'dulce' and its extensive word family is spontaneous, precise, and virtually indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.

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At the C2 level, 'dulce' is a tool you wield with absolute precision and artistic flair. You understand its etymological roots (from Latin 'dulcis') and how it connects to other Romance languages. You can effortlessly navigate the most obscure regional slang and historical idioms involving the word. You are capable of writing compelling essays or delivering persuasive speeches where 'dulce' is used to evoke deep emotional resonance or to create sharp, ironic contrasts. You understand the cultural psychology behind the concept of 'sweetness' in the Hispanic world, recognizing how it permeates music, art, and social interactions on a profound level. You can play with the word, creating your own metaphors or bending grammatical rules for poetic effect, fully aware of the boundaries you are pushing. At this level, 'dulce' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a fundamental element of the Spanish language's expressive capacity that you have completely internalized.

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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

dulce 30초 만에

Tastes like sugar or honey.
Describes a kind, gentle person.
Means 'candy' when used as a noun.
Changes to 'dulces' for plural nouns.

The Spanish word 'dulce' is an incredibly versatile and frequently used adjective that primarily translates to 'sweet' in English. When you are first learning Spanish, this is one of the foundational sensory words you will encounter, essential for describing food, beverages, and general taste profiles. However, its usage extends far beyond the dining table. In its most literal sense, 'dulce' describes anything that has the taste or flavor characteristic of sugar or honey. If you bite into a ripe strawberry, taste a piece of chocolate, or sip a well-sugared coffee, the word you need is 'dulce'. This literal application is crucial for daily survival and navigation in Spanish-speaking countries, whether you are ordering at a bakery, buying groceries, or expressing your culinary preferences at a restaurant.

Literal Taste: Used to describe foods and drinks that contain sugar, honey, or natural sweetness.
Personality Trait: Describes a person who is kind, gentle, affectionate, or endearing.
Noun Form: When used as a noun, 'un dulce' refers to a piece of candy, a sweet treat, or a confection.

Este café está demasiado dulce para mi gusto.

Las fresas que compramos ayer están muy dulces.

Beyond the literal culinary definition, 'dulce' is heavily utilized in a metaphorical sense to describe human behavior, personality traits, and emotional atmospheres. Just as in English, calling someone 'sweet' in Spanish implies that they are kind, gentle, caring, and pleasant to be around. You might describe a well-behaved child, a loving grandmother, or a thoughtful romantic partner as 'una persona dulce'. It is a highly complimentary term that conveys warmth and affection. Furthermore, 'dulce' can describe non-tangible things like memories, dreams, or sounds. A 'dulce melodía' is a sweet, pleasing melody, while 'dulces sueños' is the standard way to wish someone 'sweet dreams' before they go to sleep. Understanding this metaphorical extension is vital for achieving fluency and expressing emotional nuance in Spanish.

Emotional Resonance: Conveys a sense of comfort, safety, and affectionate warmth when applied to people or situations.
Sensory Extension: Can describe pleasing sounds, gentle breezes, or comforting smells, not just taste.
Terms of Endearment: Often used as a base for romantic or affectionate nicknames.

Mi abuela es una mujer muy dulce y cariñosa.

¡Que tengas dulces sueños esta noche!

Finally, it is essential to recognize that 'dulce' frequently functions as a noun. In many Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Latin America, 'un dulce' is the generic term for a piece of candy. If you go to a kiosk or a convenience store, you might ask the vendor for 'unos dulces' when you want to buy some sweets. This noun usage also appears in specific traditional foods, such as 'dulce de leche' (a caramelized milk confection popular in South America) or 'pan dulce' (sweet bread traditionally eaten in Mexico and other countries). The context will almost always make it clear whether 'dulce' is acting as an adjective describing something else, or as a noun representing the sweet item itself. Mastering both the adjectival and nominal uses of 'dulce' will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in everyday Spanish scenarios.

Regional Variations: In Spain, 'caramelo' or 'golosina' is more common for candy, while 'dulce' is preferred in Latin America.
Culinary Staples: Forms the core of many traditional dessert names across the Hispanic world.
Pluralization: As a noun, it simply takes an 's' to become 'dulces' (candies/sweets).

Los niños comieron demasiados dulces en la fiesta de cumpleaños.

Understanding the grammatical mechanics of the word 'dulce' is essential for constructing accurate and natural-sounding Spanish sentences. As an adjective, 'dulce' must agree in number with the noun it modifies. Because it ends in the vowel 'e', it is gender-neutral. This means you do not need to change the ending to 'o' or 'a' depending on whether the noun is masculine or feminine. It remains 'dulce' for both 'el niño' (the boy) and 'la niña' (the girl). However, you must pluralize it by adding an 's' when it modifies a plural noun. Therefore, 'el pastel dulce' (the sweet cake) becomes 'los pasteles dulces' (the sweet cakes). This gender neutrality simplifies its usage for beginners, but the pluralization rule is a common stumbling block that requires consistent practice to master fully. Remembering that 'dulce' becomes 'dulces' in the plural is a critical step in your Spanish learning journey.

Gender Neutrality: Adjectives ending in 'e' do not change for masculine or feminine nouns.
Plural Formation: Add an 's' to make it plural: dulce -> dulces.
Adjective Placement: Usually placed after the noun, but can be placed before for poetic or emphatic effect.

El jugo de naranja es muy dulce.

Las manzanas rojas son más dulces que las verdes.

Another crucial grammatical aspect of 'dulce' is its interaction with the verbs 'ser' and 'estar', both of which mean 'to be' in English but serve different functions in Spanish. When you use 'ser' with 'dulce' (e.g., 'El azúcar es dulce'), you are describing an inherent, permanent characteristic. Sugar is, by definition, sweet. When you use 'estar' with 'dulce' (e.g., 'La sopa está dulce'), you are describing a temporary state or a specific condition that is unusual or specific to that moment. For example, soup is not normally sweet, so if you say 'la sopa está dulce', you mean someone accidentally put sugar in it, or it tastes unexpectedly sweet right now. Similarly, describing a person using 'ser dulce' means they have a sweet personality in general, whereas 'estar dulce' is rarely used for people unless you are making a bizarre comment about how they literally taste!

Using SER: Expresses inherent sweetness. 'El chocolate es dulce' (Chocolate is sweet by nature).
Using ESTAR: Expresses a temporary state or taste. 'El té está dulce' (This specific cup of tea tastes sweet).
People and Personality: Always use 'ser' to describe a sweet person: 'Ella es dulce'.

La miel es dulce por naturaleza.

Creo que le pusiste demasiada azúcar, el café está muy dulce.

When using 'dulce' as a noun, it follows standard noun rules. It is a masculine noun, so it takes the articles 'el' (singular definite), 'los' (plural definite), 'un' (singular indefinite), and 'unos' (plural indefinite). You will frequently see it used as the direct object of verbs like 'comer' (to eat), 'comprar' (to buy), or 'querer' (to want). For example, 'Quiero un dulce' translates to 'I want a candy'. Furthermore, 'dulce' is often combined with the preposition 'de' to specify the flavor or type of sweet treat, such as 'dulce de leche' (milk caramel), 'dulce de membrillo' (quince paste), or 'dulce de coco' (coconut sweet). These compound noun phrases act as a single unit in a sentence. Understanding how to integrate 'dulce' smoothly into various sentence structures—whether as an adjective modifying a noun, a predicate adjective with ser/estar, or a standalone noun—is a fundamental skill for any Spanish learner aiming for conversational fluency.

Noun Articles: Always masculine: el dulce, los dulces, un dulce, unos dulces.
Compound Nouns: Combined with 'de' to indicate flavor: dulce de [ingredient].
Direct Object Usage: Commonly receives the action of verbs related to consumption and desire.

Mi madre preparó un delicioso dulce de manzana.

The word 'dulce' is ubiquitous in the Spanish-speaking world, and you will encounter it in a vast array of daily situations. The most common and immediate context is, unsurprisingly, related to food and dining. Whether you are walking through a bustling market in Mexico City, sitting in a quiet café in Madrid, or browsing a supermarket in Buenos Aires, 'dulce' is a word you will hear and use constantly. Bakers will describe their pastries as 'dulces', baristas will ask if you want your coffee 'dulce', and friends will debate whether a particular dessert is 'demasiado dulce' (too sweet). In Latin America, the term 'pan dulce' (sweet bread) is a cultural staple, referring to a wide variety of baked goods enjoyed with coffee or hot chocolate. Similarly, 'dulce de leche' is a legendary confection that you will find in alfajores, cakes, ice creams, and simply eaten by the spoonful. Food is deeply tied to culture, and 'dulce' is the linguistic key to unlocking the sweeter side of Hispanic gastronomy.

Cafés and Restaurants: Used to specify how much sugar you want in beverages or to describe desserts.
Bakeries (Panaderías): Essential for distinguishing between savory (salado) and sweet (dulce) baked goods.
Supermarkets: Found on packaging to indicate flavor profiles, such as 'chile dulce' (sweet bell pepper).

Por favor, un café con leche, pero no muy dulce.

Vamos a la panadería a comprar pan dulce para el desayuno.

Beyond the realm of food, 'dulce' is deeply embedded in interpersonal communication, particularly when expressing affection. Spanish is a language known for its warmth and expressiveness, and 'dulce' plays a major role in this. You will frequently hear parents referring to their children as 'mi dulce niño' or 'mi dulce niña'. In romantic relationships, partners might call each other 'dulzura' (sweetness) or describe a romantic gesture as 'un detalle muy dulce'. It is also common to hear people describing animals, especially puppies or kittens, as 'dulces'. When someone does you a favor or acts with kindness, telling them 'eres muy dulce' (you are very sweet) is a universally understood and appreciated compliment. This emotional application of the word makes it a powerful tool for building rapport and expressing positive feelings towards others in any Spanish-speaking environment.

Parenting and Family: Used to express tender affection towards babies and young children.
Romantic Relationships: A common adjective to describe a loving partner or a romantic moment.
Expressing Gratitude: Used to thank someone for a kind, thoughtful, or generous action.

Gracias por las flores, eres muy dulce.

El perrito que adoptamos tiene una mirada muy dulce.

Finally, you will encounter 'dulce' in various cultural idioms, media, and everyday expressions. One of the most famous phrases you will hear every night is 'dulces sueños' (sweet dreams), which is the standard way to bid someone goodnight. In music, particularly in genres like bolero, salsa, or reggaeton, the word 'dulce' is frequently used in lyrics to describe romance, passion, or the sweetness of life. You might also hear the phrase 'la dulce espera' (the sweet wait), which is a poetic and common way to refer to a woman's pregnancy. Furthermore, the concept of 'sweetness' is often contrasted with 'bitterness' (amargura) in literature and daily conversation to describe the ups and downs of life. By paying attention to movies, songs, and casual conversations, you will quickly realize that 'dulce' is not just a flavor, but a fundamental concept used to describe the pleasant, comforting, and joyful aspects of the human experience.

Nighttime Greetings: 'Dulces sueños' is the equivalent of 'sweet dreams' in English.
Idiomatic Expressions: Phrases like 'la dulce espera' showcase the metaphorical power of the word.
Music and Literature: A highly recurring motif in Spanish-language art to symbolize joy and love.

Buenas noches, que tengas dulces sueños.

While 'dulce' is a relatively straightforward word, English speakers often make a few predictable mistakes when incorporating it into their Spanish vocabulary. The most frequent error involves pluralization. Because 'dulce' ends in a vowel, learners correctly remember that they don't need to change it for gender (it's never 'dulco' or 'dulca'). However, when modifying a plural noun, many beginners either forget to pluralize it entirely, saying 'las manzanas dulce' instead of 'las manzanas dulces', or they pluralize it incorrectly by just adding an 's' without considering pronunciation, though in this case, adding 's' to 'e' is correct. The mistake often comes from confusing it with adjectives ending in consonants, where you must add 'es'. With 'dulce', you simply add 's' to make 'dulces'. Forgetting this simple 's' is a dead giveaway of a beginner level. Consistent practice with noun-adjective agreement is the only way to overcome this common hurdle and ensure your sentences sound grammatically correct to native ears.

Missing Pluralization: Saying 'los pasteles dulce' instead of the correct 'los pasteles dulces'.
Inventing Genders: Incorrectly attempting to say 'dulco' for masculine nouns or 'dulca' for feminine nouns.
Pronunciation Errors: Pronouncing the 'ce' like a hard 'k' instead of a soft 's' (Latin America) or 'th' (Spain).

Incorrecto: Las fresas son dulce. Correcto: Las fresas son dulces.

Incorrecto: El niño es dulco. Correcto: El niño es dulce.

Another significant area of confusion arises from the ser vs. estar distinction. English speakers are used to a single verb 'to be', so they often use 'ser' and 'estar' interchangeably, which drastically changes the meaning of 'dulce'. If you say 'La manzana es dulce', you are stating a general fact: apples are a sweet type of fruit. If you say 'La manzana está dulce', you are commenting on the specific apple you are eating right now: this particular apple tastes sweet. A common mistake is using 'ser' when you mean 'estar'. For instance, if you are drinking a cup of coffee that someone put too much sugar in, saying 'El café es dulce' sounds strange, because coffee is naturally bitter. You should say 'El café está dulce' to indicate its current, temporary state. Mastering this distinction is crucial for accurate communication, especially in culinary contexts where you are constantly evaluating the taste of specific dishes.

Ser for Characteristics: Use 'ser' for things that are naturally and permanently sweet (like sugar or honey).
Estar for Conditions: Use 'estar' to describe how a specific item tastes at this exact moment.
Contextual Mismatches: Using 'ser' for a dish that was accidentally over-sweetened is a classic learner error.

Esta sopa está dulce, creo que confundiste la sal con el azúcar.

El azúcar es dulce, el limón es ácido.

A third common mistake is vocabulary confusion, specifically mixing up 'dulce' with 'postre' or 'caramelo'. English speakers often use 'sweet' as a noun to mean dessert (e.g., 'What's for afters/sweets?'). In Spanish, 'el postre' is the specific word for the dessert course of a meal. If you ask a waiter '¿Cuál es el dulce?', they might be confused or bring you a piece of hard candy, rather than the dessert menu. You should ask '¿Cuál es el postre?'. Similarly, while 'un dulce' can mean a piece of candy in Latin America, in Spain, the word 'caramelo' is much more common for hard candies, and 'golosina' is used for gummies and other sweets. Using 'dulce' as a catch-all noun for anything sugary can sometimes lead to slight misunderstandings depending on the regional dialect. Being precise with your vocabulary—knowing when to use dulce, postre, caramelo, or golosina—will make you sound much more natural and fluent.

Dulce vs. Postre: 'Postre' is the dessert course; 'dulce' is the flavor or a specific piece of candy.
Regional Candy Terms: Be aware that 'caramelo' or 'golosina' might be preferred over 'dulce' in Spain.
Overusing for People: While calling someone 'dulce' is fine, overusing it can sound overly sentimental; consider 'amable' (kind) instead.

De postre (no de dulce), tenemos flan y helado.

To truly enrich your Spanish vocabulary, it is important to understand the nuances between 'dulce' and its synonyms. While 'dulce' is the most general and widely used term for 'sweet', there are several other words that convey specific types of sweetness or related concepts. One such word is 'azucarado'. This literally translates to 'sugared' or 'sugary'. You would use 'azucarado' when you want to emphasize that something has a lot of added sugar, rather than natural sweetness. For example, a highly processed cereal might be described as 'muy azucarado', whereas a perfectly ripe peach would simply be 'dulce'. Another important alternative is 'empalagoso'. This is a fantastic, highly descriptive word that means 'cloying' or 'sickly sweet'. It is used when something is so overwhelmingly sweet that it becomes unpleasant to eat, or when a person is being overly affectionate to the point of annoyance. Knowing when to use 'azucarado' or 'empalagoso' instead of 'dulce' allows you to express your opinions with much greater precision.

Azucarado: Means 'sugary' or 'sweetened with sugar'. Focuses on the ingredient rather than just the taste.
Empalagoso: Means 'cloying' or 'too sweet'. Used for desserts that make you feel sick, or overly clingy people.
Meloso: Means 'syrupy' or 'honeyed'. Often used to describe a sweet, smooth voice or a very affectionate demeanor.

No puedo terminar este pastel, está demasiado empalagoso.

Evito los refrescos porque son bebidas muy azucaradas.

When using 'dulce' to describe a person's character, there are several excellent alternatives that can add variety to your speech. 'Tierno' translates to 'tender' and is often used interchangeably with 'dulce' when describing someone who is gentle, soft-hearted, or endearing, particularly children or animals. 'Cariñoso' means 'affectionate' or 'loving', and is a great alternative when you want to emphasize someone's physical or emotional warmth towards others. 'Amable' means 'kind' or 'nice', and is a more general, slightly more formal alternative to 'dulce'. If you want to say someone is a sweet person, 'es una persona muy amable' is a very safe and polite way to express it. By expanding your vocabulary to include 'tierno', 'cariñoso', and 'amable', you can describe personalities with much more depth and accuracy than by relying on 'dulce' alone.

Tierno: Tender, soft, or endearing. Perfect for describing babies, puppies, or gentle actions.
Cariñoso: Affectionate or loving. Focuses on the outward expression of love and care.
Amable: Kind, polite, or nice. A broader, highly useful term for general good character.

El abrazo de mi abuelo fue muy tierno y reconfortante.

Mi gato es muy cariñoso, siempre quiere estar conmigo.

Finally, regarding the noun form of 'dulce' (meaning candy or a sweet treat), regional alternatives are crucial to know. As mentioned previously, in Spain, you will rarely hear people ask for 'un dulce' when they want a piece of candy; instead, they will ask for 'un caramelo' (a hard candy) or 'una golosina' (a general term for sweets, gummies, and junk food). In Mexico, 'chuchería' is a fun, informal word for sweets and snacks. In some South American countries, 'confite' is used for small, sugar-coated candies. Understanding these regional synonyms is vital for sounding like a local and ensuring you get exactly the type of treat you are craving. While 'dulce' is universally understood, using the specific local term shows a deeper appreciation and mastery of the Spanish language's rich diversity.

Caramelo: Specifically refers to hard candies or caramel. The standard word for candy in Spain.
Golosina: A broad term for sweets, gummies, and sugary snacks, widely used in Spain and parts of Latin America.
Chuchería: An informal term for junk food, snacks, or cheap sweets, popular in Mexico and Venezuela.

Los niños compraron muchas golosinas en el quiosco.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The Italian musical term 'dolce' (meaning to play sweetly and gently) comes from the exact same Latin root as the Spanish 'dulce'. If you play an instrument, you already know this word!

발음 가이드

UK /ˈdul.θe/

US /ˈdul.se/

The stress falls on the first syllable: DUL-ce.

라임이 맞는 단어

cruce luce produce conduce reduce seduce traduce deduce

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing the 'c' as a hard 'k' (dul-ke).
Pronouncing the final 'e' as an 'ay' sound (dul-say) instead of a short 'eh'.
Forgetting to pronounce the 'l' clearly.
Adding an 's' to the singular form when it's not plural.
Stressing the second syllable (dul-CE).

난이도

독해 1/5

Very easy to recognize and understand in context.

쓰기 2/5

Easy, but learners often forget to add the 's' for plural agreement.

말하기 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires remembering the ser/estar distinction.

듣기 1/5

Clearly enunciated and frequently used in daily conversation.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

azúcar comida bueno gustar ser

다음에 배울 것

salado amargo ácido postre caramelo

고급

empalagoso edulcorante dulzura agridulce endulzar

알아야 할 문법

Adjective Gender Agreement

El niño dulce / La niña dulce (Ends in 'e', so it doesn't change to 'o' or 'a').

Adjective Number Agreement

El pastel dulce / Los pasteles dulces (Add 's' for plural).

Ser vs. Estar with Adjectives

El azúcar es dulce (permanent) / La sopa está dulce (temporary).

Adjective Placement

El pan dulce (after noun for classification) / Mi dulce amor (before noun for poetic emphasis).

Nouns from Adjectives

El dulce (The candy) / Lo dulce (The sweet thing/concept).

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수준별 예문

El azúcar es muy dulce.

Sugar is very sweet.

Uses 'ser' because sugar is inherently sweet.

Me gusta el pan dulce.

I like sweet bread.

'Dulce' modifies 'pan'. It is singular and masculine.

La manzana es dulce.

The apple is sweet.

'Dulce' does not change gender for the feminine noun 'manzana'.

El café está dulce.

The coffee is sweet.

Uses 'estar' to describe the current taste of this specific cup.

Quiero un dulce, por favor.

I want a candy, please.

'Dulce' used as a singular masculine noun.

Las fresas son dulces.

Strawberries are sweet.

'Dulce' becomes 'dulces' to agree with the plural noun 'fresas'.

Ella es una niña dulce.

She is a sweet girl.

Used metaphorically to describe a kind personality.

No me gusta el té dulce.

I don't like sweet tea.

Negative sentence structure with the adjective.

Compramos muchos dulces para la fiesta.

We bought many sweets for the party.

Plural noun usage: 'dulces'.

¡Que tengas dulces sueños!

Have sweet dreams!

Common fixed phrase. Adjective placed before the noun for emphasis.

El jugo de naranja está muy dulce hoy.

The orange juice is very sweet today.

Uses 'estar' + 'muy' to describe a temporary, intense state.

Mi abuela tiene una voz muy dulce.

My grandmother has a very sweet voice.

Metaphorical use describing sound.

Prefiero lo salado a lo dulce.

I prefer salty over sweet.

Using 'lo' + adjective to create an abstract noun ('the sweet thing').

Ese perrito es muy dulce y juguetón.

That puppy is very sweet and playful.

Combining adjectives to describe an animal's temperament.

El postre de chocolate es mi dulce favorito.

The chocolate dessert is my favorite sweet.

Using 'dulce' as a noun to refer to a specific treat.

¿Le pusiste azúcar? Está un poco dulce.

Did you put sugar in it? It's a little sweet.

Using 'un poco' to moderate the adjective.

El dulce de leche es tradicional en Argentina.

Dulce de leche is traditional in Argentina.

Compound noun acting as a single subject.

Fue un gesto muy dulce de tu parte.

It was a very sweet gesture on your part.

Describing an action or behavior metaphorically.

Esta fruta tiene un sabor dulce pero ligeramente ácido.

This fruit has a sweet but slightly sour taste.

Contrasting adjectives to describe a complex flavor profile.

No seas tan empalagoso, un poco dulce está bien.

Don't be so cloying, a little sweet is fine.

Contrasting 'dulce' with its extreme synonym 'empalagoso'.

Guardaré este momento como un dulce recuerdo.

I will keep this moment as a sweet memory.

Adjective placed before the noun for poetic, emotional effect.

La salsa agridulce es perfecta para el pollo.

Sweet and sour sauce is perfect for the chicken.

Introduction of the compound adjective 'agridulce'.

Me encanta la dulce brisa del mar en verano.

I love the sweet sea breeze in summer.

Sensory metaphor describing a physical sensation.

El vino que pedimos es bastante dulce.

The wine we ordered is quite sweet.

Using 'bastante' as an adverb of degree.

Están en la dulce espera de su primer hijo.

They are in the sweet wait (expecting) their first child.

Idiomatic expression 'la dulce espera'.

Su venganza fue dulce y calculada.

His revenge was sweet and calculated.

Metaphorical idiom 'venganza dulce'.

El dulzor de la miel contrarresta la acidez del limón.

The sweetness of the honey counteracts the acidity of the lemon.

Using the related noun 'dulzor' (sweetness).

Es una persona de carácter dulce, incapaz de hacer daño.

She is a person of sweet character, incapable of doing harm.

Advanced descriptive phrasing 'de carácter dulce'.

El postre resultó ser una mezcla dulce y crujiente.

The dessert turned out to be a sweet and crunchy mixture.

Using 'resultó ser' with multiple adjectives.

Endulzó sus palabras para no ofender a la audiencia.

He sweetened his words so as not to offend the audience.

Using the related verb 'endulzar' metaphorically.

A pesar de las dificultades, la victoria supo muy dulce.

Despite the difficulties, the victory tasted very sweet.

Using the verb 'saber' (to taste) metaphorically.

Compramos un surtido de dulces típicos de la región.

We bought an assortment of typical sweets from the region.

Complex noun phrase 'surtido de dulces típicos'.

El poeta describió el dulce letargo que precede al sueño.

The poet described the sweet lethargy that precedes sleep.

Literary usage with abstract nouns.

Su discurso estuvo impregnado de una dulce melancolía.

His speech was imbued with a sweet melancholy.

Oxymoronic pairing 'dulce melancolía'.

La transición hacia la democracia fue un proceso agridulce.

The transition to democracy was a bittersweet process.

Advanced metaphorical use of 'agridulce'.

El crítico alabó el sutil dulzor del vino de cosecha tardía.

The critic praised the subtle sweetness of the late-harvest wine.

Precise culinary vocabulary using 'dulzor'.

Se dejó llevar por la dulce ilusión de un futuro mejor.

He let himself be carried away by the sweet illusion of a better future.

Poetic phrasing 'dulce ilusión'.

El edulcorante artificial nunca podrá replicar el verdadero sabor dulce.

Artificial sweetener will never be able to replicate the true sweet taste.

Scientific/technical vocabulary 'edulcorante'.

La melodía fluía con una dulzura embriagadora.

The melody flowed with an intoxicating sweetness.

Using the abstract noun 'dulzura'.

Aquel recuerdo de la infancia es mi refugio más dulce.

That childhood memory is my sweetest refuge.

Superlative metaphorical usage.

La dulcedumbre de su trato apaciguó los ánimos encrespados.

The sweetness of his manner calmed the frayed tempers.

Use of the rare, highly literary noun 'dulcedumbre'.

En la lírica del Siglo de Oro, el adjetivo 'dulce' adquiere matices neoplatónicos.

In Golden Age lyric poetry, the adjective 'sweet' acquires Neoplatonic nuances.

Academic/literary analysis context.

El chef logró una deconstrucción magistral del clásico dulce de membrillo.

The chef achieved a masterful deconstruction of the classic quince paste.

High-end gastronomy terminology.

Su retórica, aunque dulce al oído, escondía intenciones aviesas.

His rhetoric, though sweet to the ear, hid malicious intentions.

Complex syntax contrasting appearance and reality.

La etimología de 'dulce' nos remonta a la raíz indoeuropea *dlk-u-.

The etymology of 'dulce' takes us back to the Indo-European root *dlk-u-.

Linguistic/academic discourse.

Aquel vino amontillado poseía un retrogusto engañosamente dulce.

That Amontillado wine possessed a deceptively sweet aftertaste.

Expert-level sensory description.

Se regodeaba en la dulce ironía de su destino manifiesto.

He reveled in the sweet irony of his manifest destiny.

Philosophical/literary phrasing.

La dulzaina emitía notas penetrantes que rasgaban la dulce quietud del alba.

The dulzaina emitted piercing notes that tore the sweet stillness of the dawn.

Poetic juxtaposition of sound and silence.

자주 쓰는 조합

pan dulce

dulce de leche

dulces sueños

agua dulce

sabor dulce

niña dulce

vino dulce

dulce espera

sonrisa dulce

voz dulce

자주 쓰는 구문

Estar dulce

— To taste sweet at a specific moment.

El café está dulce hoy.

Ser dulce

— To be inherently sweet or to have a sweet personality.

Ella es muy dulce con los animales.

Un poco dulce

— A little bit sweet.

La salsa quedó un poco dulce.

Demasiado dulce

— Too sweet.

No puedo comer esto, es demasiado dulce.

Comer dulces

— To eat candy or sweets.

No debes comer dulces antes de cenar.

Hacer un dulce

— To make a sweet dessert or jam.

Mi abuela va a hacer un dulce de higos.

Tener un diente dulce

— To have a sweet tooth (literal translation, understood but less common than 'ser goloso').

Tengo un diente dulce, me encanta el chocolate.

Dulce o truco

— Trick or treat (used during Halloween).

Los niños gritaron ¡dulce o truco! en la puerta.

Qué dulce

— How sweet (expressing appreciation for a kind gesture).

Me trajiste flores, ¡qué dulce!

Dulce como la miel

— Sweet as honey.

Sus palabras fueron dulces como la miel.

자주 혼동되는 단어

dulce vs Postre

'Postre' means dessert (the course of a meal). 'Dulce' means sweet (the flavor) or candy.

dulce vs Caramelo

'Caramelo' specifically means hard candy or caramel. 'Dulce' is a broader term for any sweet treat.

dulce vs Suave

'Suave' means soft or smooth to the touch. English speakers sometimes confuse 'sweet' and 'soft' when describing gentle things, but in Spanish, 'dulce' is for taste/personality, and 'suave' is for texture.

관용어 및 표현

"La dulce espera"

— The sweet wait. Refers to a woman's pregnancy.

María está en la dulce espera, tendrá un niño en mayo.

neutral

"Venganza dulce"

— Sweet revenge. The satisfaction of getting back at someone.

Ganar el partido final fue una venganza dulce.

neutral

"Hacerse agua la boca (por algo dulce)"

— To make one's mouth water (craving something sweet).

Se me hace agua la boca al ver ese pastel dulce.

informal

"Ser un pedazo de pan (dulce)"

— To be a piece of bread (to be a very good, sweet person).

Juan es un pedazo de pan, siempre ayuda a todos.

informal

"Dorar la píldora (con palabras dulces)"

— To sugarcoat something (to make bad news sound sweeter).

No me dores la píldora, dime la verdad sin palabras dulces.

informal

"Luna de miel"

— Honeymoon (the sweet period after a wedding).

Se fueron de luna de miel a París.

neutral

"Agridulce"

— Bittersweet (a mix of good and bad emotions).

Despedirme de mis amigos fue un momento agridulce.

neutral

"Pasar un trago amargo (opuesto a dulce)"

— To go through a bitter/difficult situation.

Tuvimos que pasar un trago amargo en el hospital.

idiomatic

"Ser goloso"

— To have a sweet tooth (to love eating sweets).

Soy muy goloso, siempre pido postre.

informal

"Miel sobre hojuelas"

— Honey on pancakes (everything is going perfectly/sweetly).

Con este nuevo trabajo, todo es miel sobre hojuelas.

idiomatic

혼동하기 쉬운

dulce vs Postre

English speakers use 'sweets' to mean dessert.

'Postre' is the dessert you eat after a meal. 'Dulce' is the flavor of that dessert, or a small piece of candy.

De postre, quiero algo dulce.

dulce vs Salado

Learners sometimes mix up the basic taste vocabulary.

'Salado' is the exact opposite of 'dulce'. It means salty or savory.

Las papas fritas son saladas, no dulces.

dulce vs Suave

Both can translate to 'gentle' in English.

'Suave' refers to physical texture (soft) or a gentle breeze/sound. 'Dulce' refers to taste or a kind personality.

La manta es suave, la niña es dulce.

dulce vs Amable

Both can describe a nice person.

'Amable' is a general term for polite and kind. 'Dulce' is more intimate, affectionate, and tender.

El cajero fue amable, mi abuela es dulce.

dulce vs Azúcar

Related concepts (sugar vs. sweet).

'Azúcar' is the noun (the actual white crystals). 'Dulce' is the adjective describing how the sugar tastes.

Le puse azúcar al té para que esté dulce.

문장 패턴

[Noun] + es + dulce.

La manzana es dulce.

[Noun] + está + dulce.

El café está dulce.

Me gusta + el/la + [Noun] + dulce.

Me gusta el pan dulce.

Eres + muy + dulce.

Eres muy dulce.

Es + demasiado + dulce + para + [Pronoun].

Es demasiado dulce para mí.

Prefiero + lo dulce + a + lo salado.

Prefiero lo dulce a lo salado.

Tiene + un + sabor + ligeramente + dulce.

Tiene un sabor ligeramente dulce.

Un + dulce + [Abstract Noun].

Un dulce recuerdo.

어휘 가족

명사

dulzura

dulzor

dulce

edulcorante

golosina

동사

endulzar

edulcorar

형용사

dulce

dulzón

agridulce

azucarado

empalagoso

사용법

frequency

Extremely high. It is one of the top 1000 most common words in spoken Spanish.

자주 하는 실수

Las fresas son dulce. → Las fresas son dulces.
'Dulce' must agree in number with the plural noun 'fresas'. You must add an 's'.
El niño es dulco. → El niño es dulce.
Adjectives ending in 'e' are gender-neutral. Never change the 'e' to an 'o' or 'a'.
El café es dulce hoy. → El café está dulce hoy.
Because you are describing the temporary taste of a specific cup of coffee today, you must use 'estar', not 'ser'.
¿Cuál es el dulce de la casa? (At a restaurant) → ¿Cuál es el postre de la casa?
English speakers use 'sweets' for dessert, but in Spanish, the dessert course is strictly 'el postre'.
Me gusta el agua dulca. → Me gusta el agua dulce.
Even though 'agua' is feminine, 'dulce' does not change its ending to 'a'. It remains 'dulce'.

팁

Don't forget the 'S'

Always check if the noun is plural. If it is, 'dulce' must become 'dulces'. Las manzanas dulces.

Candy vs. Dessert

Use 'dulce' for candy and 'postre' for dessert. Don't ask for the 'dulce menu' at a restaurant!

Ser vs. Estar

If you can replace 'is' with 'tastes' in English, use 'estar' in Spanish. El café está dulce.

Try Pan Dulce

If you visit Mexico, go to a panadería and ask for 'pan dulce'. It's a cultural staple you must try.

Pronunciation of 'C'

Remember the regional difference: 's' sound in Latin America, 'th' sound in Spain for the 'ce' syllable.

Complimenting People

Saying 'eres muy dulce' is a safe, polite, and universally appreciated compliment in Spanish.

Nighttime Routine

Make it a habit to say 'dulces sueños' to your Spanish-speaking friends or family before bed.

Dulce de Leche

Learn this phrase! It's not just a food; it's a cultural icon in South America.

Gender Neutral

Rejoice! You don't have to worry about 'dulco' or 'dulca'. It's always 'dulce' for singular nouns.

Poetic Placement

Put 'dulce' before the noun (mi dulce vida) to sound poetic and deeply emotional.

암기하기

기억법

Imagine a DULL day suddenly becoming bright and cheerful when someone gives you a SWEET candy. DUL-ce = sweet.

시각적 연상

Picture a giant, colorful piece of hard candy with the word 'DULCE' written across it in bright, sugary letters.

Word Web

Taste Sugar Candy Kindness Dessert Honey Sweetheart Affection

챌린지

Next time you eat something sweet, say 'Esto está muy dulce' out loud. Next time you see a cute animal, say '¡Qué dulce!'

어원

The word 'dulce' comes from the Latin adjective 'dulcis', which means sweet, pleasant, or delightful. It has retained this core meaning for over two millennia. It shares this root with similar words in other Romance languages, such as 'dolce' in Italian and 'doux/douce' in French. The transition from Latin to Spanish involved the natural phonetic evolution of the Iberian Peninsula.

원래 의미: In Latin, 'dulcis' was used both for the physical taste of sweetness and metaphorically for pleasant sounds, smells, and personalities, exactly as it is used in modern Spanish today.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Ibero-Romance > Spanish

문화적 맥락

There are no major cultural sensitivities associated with the word 'dulce'. It is a universally positive and safe word to use.

English speakers use 'sweet' very similarly to how Spanish speakers use 'dulce' (for both food and personality). However, English speakers often use 'sweets' to mean dessert, whereas Spanish speakers specifically use 'postre' for the dessert course.

The song 'Dulce Amor' by Gloria Estefan. The traditional Latin American confection 'Dulce de Leche'. The famous Mexican sweet bread 'Pan Dulce'.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

At a café or restaurant

Un café dulce
¿Cuál es el postre?
Está muy dulce
Sin azúcar, por favor

At a bakery

Pan dulce
Un pastel dulce
¿Qué dulces tiene?
Galletas dulces

Expressing affection

Eres muy dulce
Mi dulce niña
Dulces sueños
Qué dulce de tu parte

Describing food

Sabor dulce
Fruta dulce
Demasiado dulce
Salsa agridulce

Buying candy

Quiero unos dulces
Dulces de menta
Una bolsa de dulces
Dulces para los niños

대화 시작하기

"¿Prefieres la comida dulce o la comida salada?"

"¿Cuál es tu dulce o postre favorito de tu país?"

"¿Le pones azúcar al café o prefieres que no esté dulce?"

"¿Conoces a alguien que tenga una personalidad muy dulce?"

"¿Has probado el dulce de leche alguna vez?"

일기 주제

Describe tu postre dulce favorito usando al menos cinco adjetivos.

Escribe sobre un recuerdo dulce de tu infancia.

¿Qué significa para ti que una persona sea 'dulce'?

Escribe una receta imaginaria para el pastel más dulce del mundo.

Compara tu comida dulce favorita con tu comida salada favorita.

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

No, 'dulce' is a gender-neutral adjective because it ends in 'e'. You use it exactly the same way for masculine nouns (el niño dulce) and feminine nouns (la niña dulce). You only need to change it when the noun is plural, by adding an 's' (los niños dulces).

In Latin America, the most common word for candy is 'un dulce' or 'los dulces'. In Spain, it is more common to use 'un caramelo' for hard candies or 'una golosina' for gummies and general sweets. However, 'dulce' will be understood everywhere.

Use 'ser' for things that are naturally sweet, like sugar, honey, or a sweet person (El azúcar es dulce). Use 'estar' to describe how a specific food or drink tastes right now, especially if it's a temporary state (El café está dulce).

'Pan dulce' literally translates to 'sweet bread'. It is a broad category of traditional baked goods, particularly famous in Mexico and other Latin American countries, that are sweet and usually eaten for breakfast or with coffee.

Yes, calling someone 'dulce' is a very common and affectionate compliment. You can say 'eres muy dulce' (you are very sweet) or use terms of endearment like 'mi dulce amor' (my sweet love).

The direct opposite of 'dulce' in terms of taste is 'salado' (salty). Other contrasting tastes include 'amargo' (bitter) and 'ácido' (sour).

'Dulce de leche' is a traditional Latin American confection made by slowly heating sweetened milk until it caramelizes into a thick, sweet spread. It is used in cakes, cookies (alfajores), and ice cream.

The exact translation is 'dulces sueños'. It is the most common way to wish someone a good night's sleep in Spanish.

It is used as both! As an adjective, it describes something sweet (el pastel dulce). As a noun, it refers to a sweet treat or candy (quiero un dulce).

'Dulce' is a positive word meaning sweet. 'Empalagoso' is a negative word meaning 'too sweet' or 'cloying'. It is used when a dessert has so much sugar it makes you feel slightly sick, or when a person is overly affectionate and annoying.

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