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A2 adjective #4,000 mais comum 10 min de leitura

inteligible

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas inteligible em 30 segundos

Explicação inteligible in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting your Spanish journey. You might not use the word 'inteligible' yourself very often, but you will definitely encounter the idea behind it. At this stage, you focus on being 'understood'. When you say 'No entiendo' (I don't understand), you are essentially saying the other person is not being 'inteligible' to you. This word is a 'cognate', which means it looks and sounds almost exactly like the English word 'intelligible'. This makes it a great 'bonus' word for your vocabulary. You can use it to describe if a teacher's Spanish is easy to follow. For example, you might say, 'El profesor habla muy claro, es muy inteligible'. It is an adjective, so it describes a noun. Remember that in Spanish, we usually put the adjective after the noun. So, instead of saying 'an intelligible message', you say 'un mensaje inteligible'. Even at A1, using this word makes you sound very educated!

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At the A2 level, you are beginning to describe things in more detail. 'Inteligible' is a perfect word for this stage because it helps you talk about your progress in learning Spanish. You can use it to talk about pronunciation, handwriting, or simple instructions. For example, 'Mi letra no es muy inteligible' (My handwriting is not very intelligible). This is more precise than just saying 'mi letra es mala' (my handwriting is bad). You will also start to see this word in reading passages about technology or basic science. It is important to remember that 'inteligible' ends in 'e', so it does not change for masculine or feminine nouns. 'El audio es inteligible' and 'La voz es inteligible' are both correct. This makes it easier to use than adjectives that end in 'o' or 'a'. You should also learn the opposite: 'ininteligible'. If you hear a lot of noise on a recording, you can say 'es ininteligible'.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more formal situations and express opinions more clearly. 'Inteligible' becomes a very useful tool for providing feedback. If you are in a meeting or a classroom and someone explains a complex topic, you can say, 'Su explicación fue perfectamente inteligible, gracias'. This shows a high level of linguistic sophistication. At this level, you should also start using the phrase 'hacerse inteligible'. For example, 'Es difícil hacerse inteligible cuando hay tanto ruido' (It is difficult to make oneself understood when there is so much noise). You will also encounter this word in news articles or more formal letters. It is often used to describe legal terms or government announcements that are (or are not) easy for the public to understand. Practice using it with adverbs like 'completamente', 'apenas', or 'fácilmente' to add nuance to your sentences.

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At the B2 level, you are moving into more abstract and technical territory. 'Inteligible' is frequently used in academic, legal, and professional Spanish. You will hear it in debates and see it in essays. At this stage, you should understand the nuance between 'inteligible' and 'comprensible'. While 'comprensible' can refer to understanding someone's feelings or motives, 'inteligible' is strictly about the clarity of the information or the signal. For instance, you would say a radio signal is 'inteligible', but a friend's decision to quit their job is 'comprensible'. You should also be comfortable using the noun form 'inteligibilidad'. In a technical report, you might write about the 'inteligibilidad de los datos' (the intelligibility of the data). You will also see this word in literary contexts, where authors discuss whether a text is accessible to the reader. Mastering this word allows you to participate in higher-level discussions about communication and logic.

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At the C1 level, you should be able to use 'inteligible' with precision in specialized contexts. This includes philosophy, where the word has a specific meaning. In the Platonic tradition, 'el mundo inteligible' refers to the realm of ideas and forms that can only be grasped by the intellect, as opposed to 'el mundo sensible' which we perceive with our senses. If you are studying Spanish literature, philosophy, or law, this distinction is crucial. You will also use 'inteligible' to critique complex arguments. You might say, 'Aunque el autor es brillante, su prosa es escasamente inteligible para quienes no son expertos en la materia'. This level of critique requires a deep understanding of how clarity and complexity interact. You should also be aware of the historical etymology of the word, coming from the Latin 'intelligibilis', and how it relates to the verb 'intelligere' (to understand/to choose between). Your usage should reflect this depth, using the word to discuss the very limits of human understanding and communication.

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At the C2 level, 'inteligible' is a word you use with total mastery, often in subtle or ironic ways. You can use it to discuss the 'inteligibilidad' of entire cultural systems, semiotics, or advanced scientific theories. At this level, you might explore how 'inteligible' can be used metaphorically. For example, you might describe a historical event as 'finalmente inteligible' after new documents are discovered, suggesting that the event's meaning has finally come into focus. You will encounter this word in the most dense academic journals and philosophical treatises. You should be able to switch between the technical meaning (speech intelligibility in engineering) and the abstract meaning (ontological intelligibility in metaphysics) without hesitation. Your ability to use 'inteligible' and its derivatives (like 'inteligibilidad' or 'ininteligibilidad') in a fluid, natural way is a hallmark of your near-native or native-like proficiency. You are not just using a word; you are wielding a precise instrument of thought.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

inteligible em 30 segundos

Inteligible means 'understandable' or 'clear', focusing on how well a message is perceived.
It is a formal cognate of the English word 'intelligible' and is gender-neutral in Spanish.
It is commonly used to describe speech quality, handwriting, and complex intellectual concepts.
The opposite is 'ininteligible', used for garbled sounds or nonsense logic.

The Spanish adjective inteligible is a sophisticated yet highly useful word that translates directly to the English 'intelligible'. At its core, it describes something that can be understood, perceived, or comprehended by the human intellect. While it is often used in academic or formal settings, its application in daily life is broader than one might initially expect. When you speak about a person's speech, their handwriting, or even a complex philosophical concept, inteligible is the go-to term to indicate that the message is getting through clearly without distortion or confusion.

Acoustic Clarity: In the context of sound, this word refers to audio that is crisp enough to be decoded by the listener. If a radio signal is weak, the voice might not be inteligible.
Visual Legibility: While 'legible' specifically refers to handwriting, inteligible can be used more broadly to describe whether the content of a written piece makes logical sense to the reader.
Intellectual Coherence: This refers to ideas or theories. A complex math proof is inteligible only to those with the necessary background knowledge, but a well-explained lecture makes the topic inteligible for everyone.

A pesar del ruido en la calle, su explicación fue perfectamente inteligible.

One of the most common ways to use this word is with the verb 'hacer' (to make). Saying 'hacerse inteligible' means 'to make oneself understood'. This is particularly relevant for language learners. When you are practicing your Spanish pronunciation, your ultimate goal is to be inteligible to native speakers, even if your grammar is not yet perfect. It focuses on the successful transmission of meaning rather than just the aesthetic quality of the speech.

La letra del médico no era inteligible para el farmacéutico.

In professional environments, such as law or medicine, the term is frequently used to describe documents or testimonies. If a witness speaks too fast or uses too much slang, the judge might ask them to speak in a way that is more inteligible. It implies a level of clarity that removes ambiguity. In a world full of 'ruido' (noise), being inteligible is a virtue of communication.

El manual de instrucciones debe ser inteligible para cualquier usuario básico.

Synonym: Comprensible: While very similar, 'comprensible' often relates to the ability to empathize or understand the logic behind an action, whereas inteligible is more about the physical or mental perception of the data.

El mensaje de radio era apenas inteligible debido a la tormenta.

Buscamos un lenguaje que sea inteligible para las nuevas generaciones.

Antonym: Ininteligible: Simply add the prefix 'in-' to describe something that is impossible to understand, like static on a phone line or gibberish.

Using inteligible correctly requires understanding its role as an adjective that modifies nouns related to communication, sound, and thought. Because it ends in '-e', it is gender-neutral, meaning it stays the same regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine (e.g., un mensaje) or feminine (e.g., una voz). This makes it a very friendly word for learners to integrate into their vocabulary without worrying about complex agreement rules.

With the Verb 'Ser': We use 'ser' when describing an inherent quality of a thing. 'La explicación es inteligible' implies that the explanation itself is well-structured and clear by nature.
With the Verb 'Resultar': This is a more dynamic way to say 'turns out to be' or 'seems'. 'Su propuesta resultó inteligible para el comité' means the committee found the proposal easy to understand.

Para que un idioma sea inteligible, se necesita un contexto compartido.

In more complex sentence structures, inteligible often appears with adverbs of degree like 'perfectamente', 'escasamente', or 'medianamente'. These allow you to specify exactly how clear something is. For instance, 'escasamente inteligible' is a polite way of saying something is almost impossible to understand, often used in technical reports or academic critiques.

El audio del video no es muy inteligible por el eco.

Another frequent pattern is the use of 'inteligible' in the phrase 'hacer inteligible algo'. This structure is used when someone is simplifying or clarifying a difficult topic. 'El profesor hizo inteligible la teoría de la relatividad' means the teacher made the theory understandable. This highlights the action of translating complexity into clarity.

Sus palabras eran apenas inteligibles entre sollozos.

Placement: In Spanish, this adjective usually comes after the noun. Placing it before the noun ('una inteligible explicación') is very rare and sounds extremely poetic or archaic.

¿Es inteligible mi pronunciación en este momento?

Necesitamos traducir este informe a un formato más inteligible.

While you might not hear inteligible in a casual conversation about football or what to eat for dinner, it is omnipresent in specific professional and intellectual spheres. Understanding where it appears will help you recognize the 'register' or level of formality of the situation. It is a word that signals precision and seriousness.

Academic Lectures: Professors often use it to discuss how theories are transmitted. They might say, 'La meta de esta clase es hacer la metafísica inteligible'.
News and Journalism: When reporting on a crisis or a speech, journalists might comment on whether the leader's message was inteligible to the general public.
Legal and Formal Documents: Contracts often contain clauses about the information being presented in an inteligible manner to the consumer.

El juez solicitó que el testimonio fuera más inteligible.

In the world of technology and telecommunications, inteligibilidad (the noun form) is a technical metric. Engineers measure the 'inteligibilidad de la palabra' (speech intelligibility) in public address systems, like those in train stations or airports. If the speakers are bad, the announcements are not inteligibles, and passengers miss their trains. Thus, in a technical context, it is a very concrete term.

La señal de radio es débil, pero el mensaje sigue siendo inteligible.

Furthermore, in literary criticism or philosophy, authors like Ortega y Gasset or Miguel de Unamuno might use inteligible to discuss the 'intelligible world' (the world of ideas) versus the 'sensible world' (the world of senses). This is a direct inheritance from Platonic philosophy. If you are reading Spanish philosophy, you will encounter this word frequently as a way to distinguish between what we can feel and what we can logically process.

Para Platón, la verdad reside en el mundo inteligible.

In the Classroom: Teachers will use it to correct students. 'Tu letra no es inteligible' is a common (and sometimes painful) critique on an essay.

Por favor, escribe de forma más inteligible en el examen.

La grabación de la caja negra es apenas inteligible.

Even though inteligible is a cognate, English speakers often stumble over its usage in Spanish due to subtle differences in nuance and grammar. The most common error is confusing it with other 'comprehension' words or making mistakes with its gender-neutral ending.

Confusion with 'Inteligente': Because both words start with 'inteli-', beginners sometimes say 'él es inteligible' when they mean 'he is smart' (él es inteligente). Remember: 'inteligente' is about the person's brain; inteligible is about the clarity of what they say.
Gender Over-Correction: Some learners try to say 'inteligibla' for feminine nouns. There is no such word. It is always inteligible for both 'el mensaje' and 'la voz'.
Confusing it with 'Legible': While they overlap, 'legible' is strictly for reading letters and symbols. Inteligible is for the meaning behind those symbols.

Incorrecto: Tu idea es muy inteligente (when you mean 'clear'). Correcto: Tu idea es muy inteligible.

Another mistake involves the preposition that follows the word. In English, we might say 'intelligible to me'. In Spanish, we use the preposition 'para'. Saying 'inteligible a mí' is a common anglicism. The correct form is 'inteligible para mí'. This small detail can make your Spanish sound much more natural and native-like.

Incorrecto: El texto es intelligible. Correcto: El texto es inteligible.

Finally, avoid using inteligible for emotional understanding. If you want to say 'I understand why you are sad', you should use 'comprensible'. Using inteligible there would sound like you are analyzing the physics of their sadness rather than empathizing with it. Use inteligible for data, logic, and sounds; use 'comprensible' for feelings and human motives.

Su enfado es comprensible (not inteligible).

Mistake: Using it as a Verb: There is no verb 'inteligibilizar'. If you need a verb, use 'aclarar' (to clarify) or 'hacer inteligible'.

¿Puedes hacer tu letra más inteligible?

To truly master inteligible, you must know how it sits alongside its synonyms. Spanish is a language that loves synonyms, and choosing the right one can change the tone of your sentence from scientific to poetic to casual.

Comprensible vs Inteligible: 'Comprensible' is the most common alternative. It is broader. While inteligible focuses on the clarity of the signal, 'comprensible' focuses on the ability of the mind to grasp the meaning. They are often interchangeable, but inteligible sounds more formal and technical.
Claro: The simplest alternative. Use 'claro' in daily conversation. 'Tu español es muy claro' is more common than 'Tu español es inteligible'.
Nítido: This refers specifically to sensory clarity—sharp images or crystal-clear sound. If a photo is in focus, it is 'nítida'. If a voice on the phone is very clear, it is 'nítida'.
Descifrable: Literally 'decipherable'. Use this when something is hard to understand but can be figured out with effort, like a secret code or very messy handwriting.

La señal es nítida y el mensaje es inteligible.

When you want to emphasize that something is *not* understandable, you have several options as well. 'Confuso' implies the logic is messy. 'Ilegible' is only for handwriting you can't read. 'Ininteligible' is the direct opposite and is perfect for describing garbled audio or nonsense speech. Using 'ininteligible' sounds more professional than just saying 'no entiendo'.

Su discurso fue tan técnico que resultó ininteligible para los niños.

Buscamos una solución transparente e inteligible.

In philosophy, a common pair is 'inteligible' and 'sensible'. This is a classic distinction. 'Lo inteligible' refers to things we understand with the mind (like math), while 'lo sensible' refers to things we perceive with our senses (like the smell of a rose). Knowing this pair will help you if you ever dive into Spanish literature or high-level academic texts.

El concepto de justicia es un objeto inteligible.

Coherente: Use this when the parts of a story or argument fit together well. A story can be inteligible (you understand the words) but not 'coherente' (the plot makes no sense).

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The root 'inter-' (between) and 'legere' (to choose/read) suggests that 'understanding' is literally the act of 'choosing between' or 'reading between' things.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒɪb(ə)l/

US /ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəb(ə)l/

The stress in Spanish is on the penultimate syllable: in-te-li-GI-ble.

Rima com

tangible corregible dirigible exigible legible infalible increíble terrible

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'g' as an English 'j'. In Spanish, 'gi' sounds like a soft 'h' (like in 'house').
Adding an extra 'l' sound because of the English spelling.
Stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., in-TE-li-gi-ble).
Not pronouncing the final 'e' clearly.
Confusing the 'i' sounds with 'e' sounds.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate of the English word.

Escrita 4/5

Spelling is tricky due to the single 'L' and the 'g' placement.

Expressão oral 5/5

Pronouncing the 'g' correctly as a soft 'h' requires practice.

Audição 3/5

Easy to understand in context, but can be confused with 'inteligente'.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

claro entender mensaje voz decir

Aprenda a seguir

coherente elocuente perspicuo ambiguo nítido

Avançado

hermenéutica ontología semántica epistemología fonética

Gramática essencial

Adjective Agreement (Gender)

El mensaje (m) es inteligible. La voz (f) es inteligible.

Adjective Agreement (Number)

Los mensajes son inteligibles. Las voces son inteligibles.

Adverb Placement

Es perfectamente inteligible. (Adverb before adjective).

Subjunctive with Impersonal Expressions

Es necesario que el texto sea inteligible.

Preposition 'Para'

Es inteligible para los estudiantes.

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Exemplos por nível

El profesor habla de forma inteligible.

The teacher speaks in an intelligible way.

Adjective follows the noun 'forma'.

Tu mensaje es inteligible.

Your message is intelligible.

Used with the verb 'ser' to show a quality.

La radio no es inteligible hoy.

The radio is not intelligible today.

Negative sentence with 'no'.

Escribe un nombre inteligible, por favor.

Write an intelligible name, please.

Imperative 'escribe' followed by an adjective phrase.

¿Es inteligible mi español?

Is my Spanish intelligible?

Question structure with 'ser'.

La voz de la niña es muy inteligible.

The girl's voice is very intelligible.

Adverb 'muy' modifies the adjective.

Este libro es inteligible para niños.

This book is intelligible for children.

Preposition 'para' shows the target audience.

No es un sonido inteligible.

It is not an intelligible sound.

Adjective modifying the masculine noun 'sonido'.

Su letra es poco inteligible.

His handwriting is not very intelligible.

'Poco' acts as a negative adverb here.

El mapa debe ser inteligible para todos.

The map must be intelligible for everyone.

Modal verb 'debe ser' indicating necessity.

Habló rápido, pero fue inteligible.

He spoke fast, but he was intelligible.

Contrast using 'pero'.

Las instrucciones son claras e inteligibles.

The instructions are clear and intelligible.

Plural agreement 'inteligibles'.

La señal de GPS no es inteligible en el túnel.

The GPS signal is not intelligible in the tunnel.

Use of 'en' to show location.

Buscamos un idioma más inteligible.

We are looking for a more intelligible language.

Comparative 'más' with adjective.

Su explicación no resultó inteligible.

His explanation did not turn out to be intelligible.

Verb 'resultar' used as a linking verb.

El anuncio del aeropuerto fue inteligible.

The airport announcement was intelligible.

Past tense 'fue' (pretérito indefinido).

Trató de hacerse inteligible a pesar del ruido.

He tried to make himself understood despite the noise.

Reflexive phrase 'hacerse inteligible'.

Es fundamental que el contrato sea inteligible.

It is fundamental that the contract be intelligible.

Subjunctive 'sea' after 'es fundamental que'.

La grabación era apenas inteligible debido a la interferencia.

The recording was barely intelligible due to interference.

Adverb 'apenas' meaning 'barely'.

Presentó los datos de una manera muy inteligible.

He presented the data in a very intelligible way.

Prepositional phrase 'de una manera'.

Su acento extranjero era perfectamente inteligible.

His foreign accent was perfectly intelligible.

Adverb 'perfectamente' modifies the adjective.

No creo que su teoría sea inteligible para el público general.

I don't think his theory is intelligible to the general public.

Subjunctive 'sea' after 'no creo que'.

El autor intenta que su prosa sea inteligible.

The author tries to make his prose intelligible.

Verb 'intentar' followed by a 'que' clause.

Las señales de humo eran un código inteligible.

The smoke signals were an intelligible code.

Past tense 'eran' (imperfecto).

La inteligibilidad del discurso es crucial en política.

The intelligibility of the speech is crucial in politics.

Noun form 'inteligibilidad'.

Asegúrese de que su respuesta sea breve e inteligible.

Ensure that your answer is brief and intelligible.

Formal imperative 'asegúrese'.

El informe técnico resultó ser poco inteligible para los inversores.

The technical report turned out to be not very intelligible for the investors.

Periphrastic 'resultó ser'.

La calidad del audio afecta a lo inteligible que resulta el mensaje.

The audio quality affects how intelligible the message turns out to be.

'Lo' + adjective + 'que' construction.

Sus últimas palabras fueron apenas inteligibles.

His last words were barely intelligible.

Plural adjective 'inteligibles'.

El sistema de megafonía no proporciona un sonido inteligible.

The public address system does not provide an intelligible sound.

Transitive verb 'proporcionar'.

Es un texto denso, pero inteligible tras una segunda lectura.

It is a dense text, but intelligible after a second reading.

Prepositional phrase 'tras una segunda lectura'.

La meta es traducir este lenguaje jurídico a algo inteligible.

The goal is to translate this legal language into something intelligible.

Infinitive 'traducir'.

En la filosofía platónica, lo inteligible se opone a lo sensible.

In Platonic philosophy, the intelligible is opposed to the sensible.

Substantivized adjective 'lo inteligible'.

La estructura del universo debe ser, en última instancia, inteligible.

The structure of the universe must be, ultimately, intelligible.

Adverbial phrase 'en última instancia'.

Su caligrafía, antaño inteligible, se ha vuelto un caos.

His calligraphy, once intelligible, has become a chaos.

Adverb 'antaño' meaning 'in former times'.

El orador no logró hacer inteligible su propuesta de reforma.

The speaker did not manage to make his reform proposal intelligible.

Verb 'lograr' followed by an infinitive.

Buscamos una estética que sea inteligible sin ser simplista.

We seek an aesthetic that is intelligible without being simplistic.

Gerund 'siendo' (here 'sin ser').

La interconexión de los sistemas hace que el error sea inteligible.

The interconnection of systems makes the error intelligible.

Causal structure 'hace que'.

Resulta imperativo que la ley sea inteligible para el ciudadano medio.

It is imperative that the law be intelligible to the average citizen.

Impersonal expression 'resulta imperativo que'.

La obra de este autor es solo inteligible para una élite intelectual.

This author's work is only intelligible to an intellectual elite.

Adverb 'solo' (or 'sólo') for emphasis.

La opacidad del lenguaje burocrático lo hace apenas inteligible.

The opacity of bureaucratic language makes it barely intelligible.

Direct object pronoun 'lo'.

Se debate si la conciencia es un fenómeno inteligible mediante la ciencia.

It is debated whether consciousness is a phenomenon intelligible through science.

Passive 'se debate'.

La transición del caos al orden inteligible es el eje de la obra.

The transition from chaos to intelligible order is the axis of the work.

Prepositional structure 'del... al...'.

A pesar de la distorsión cuántica, la información seguía siendo inteligible.

Despite the quantum distortion, the information remained intelligible.

Concessive phrase 'a pesar de'.

El crítico cuestionó si la trama era mínimamente inteligible.

The critic questioned if the plot was minimally intelligible.

Indirect question with 'si'.

La realidad no es algo dado, sino algo que debemos hacer inteligible.

Reality is not something given, but something we must make intelligible.

Contrast 'no... sino...'.

La hermenéutica busca hacer inteligibles los textos sagrados.

Hermeneutics seeks to make sacred texts intelligible.

Plural adjective 'inteligibles'.

Su discurso, aunque erudito, carecía de una estructura inteligible.

His speech, although scholarly, lacked an intelligible structure.

Concessive 'aunque'.

Colocações comuns

perfectamente inteligible

apenas inteligible

mínimamente inteligible

hacerse inteligible

mundo inteligible

lenguaje inteligible

voz inteligible

texto inteligible

fácilmente inteligible

escasamente inteligible

Frases Comuns

Hacerse inteligible

— To make oneself understood by others. Often used in the context of speaking a foreign language.

A pesar de su nivel básico, logró hacerse inteligible en la tienda.

Ser poco inteligible

— To be hard to understand. Usually refers to messy handwriting or muffled audio.

Tu letra es poco inteligible; por favor, repite el examen.

Resultar inteligible

— To turn out to be understandable. Often used when evaluating a speech or text.

La propuesta resultó inteligible para todos los socios.

En términos inteligibles

— In understandable terms. Used when asking someone to simplify a complex topic.

Explícame el agujero negro en términos inteligibles, por favor.

Hacer inteligible algo

— To clarify or simplify something complex.

El documental hace inteligible la crisis económica.

No ser inteligible

— To be impossible to understand. Often used for technical failures.

La señal de radio no es inteligible en esta zona.

Perfectamente inteligible

— Completely clear and understandable.

Su pronunciación del francés es perfectamente inteligible.

Apenas inteligible

— Barely understandable. Used for very low quality audio or speech.

Sus palabras eran apenas inteligibles por el llanto.

Código inteligible

— A code that can be decoded or understood.

Descifraron el código y ahora es inteligible.

Mundo inteligible

— The realm of ideas in philosophy.

El filósofo exploró la relación entre el alma y el mundo inteligible.

Frequentemente confundido com

inteligible vs inteligente

Means 'smart'. 'Inteligible' means 'understandable'.

inteligible vs legible

Only for reading text. 'Inteligible' is for understanding meaning.

inteligible vs comprensible

Broader term for understanding logic or feelings.

Expressões idiomáticas

"Hablar en cristiano"

— To speak clearly and simply, without using jargon or difficult words. While not using the word 'inteligible', it is the idiomatic way to ask for intelligibility.

¡Háblame en cristiano! No entiendo nada de lo que dices.

informal

"No tener ni pies ni cabeza"

— To make no sense at all; to be completely unintelligible logically.

Tu explicación no tiene ni pies ni cabeza.

informal

"Poner los puntos sobre las íes"

— To clarify things precisely so they become perfectly intelligible.

Vamos a poner los puntos sobre las íes para que todo sea inteligible.

neutral

"Ser un libro abierto"

— To be very easy to read or understand (usually a person's intentions).

Tus intenciones son un libro abierto, son muy inteligibles.

neutral

"Cantar claro"

— To speak very clearly and directly, often about a difficult truth.

Él cantó claro y su mensaje fue inteligible para todos.

informal

"Estar en chino"

— To be completely unintelligible or impossible to understand (like Greek to an English speaker).

Este manual de física está en chino para mí.

informal

"No entender ni jota"

— To not understand a single bit of something.

No entiendo ni jota de lo que dice ese audio ininteligible.

informal

"Sacar en limpio"

— To clarify a conclusion from a messy situation.

No pude sacar nada en limpio de ese discurso poco inteligible.

neutral

"Hablar por los codos"

— To talk too much, which often makes the core message less intelligible.

Habla por los codos y al final nada de lo que dice es inteligible.

informal

"Verlo todo negro"

— To be pessimistic, which can make a clear situation seem unintelligible or confusing.

Lo ves todo negro y por eso la solución no te resulta inteligible.

informal

Fácil de confundir

inteligible vs inteligente

Similar prefix and root.

Inteligente refers to the person's mental capacity. Inteligible refers to the clarity of the message or object.

El profesor es inteligente, pero su explicación no fue inteligible.

inteligible vs legible

Both relate to clarity of communication.

Legible is strictly for visual recognition of characters. Inteligible is for intellectual comprehension of the content.

Su letra es legible, pero el contenido no es inteligible.

inteligible vs sensible

Often used as an antonym in philosophy.

Sensible refers to what can be felt or perceived by senses. Inteligible refers to what can be understood by the mind.

La mesa es un objeto sensible; la idea de mesa es inteligible.

inteligible vs comprensible

Very close synonyms.

Comprensible is more common and includes emotional understanding. Inteligible is more formal and technical.

Es comprensible que estés triste, pero tu mensaje no es inteligible.

inteligible vs nítido

Both mean 'clear'.

Nítido is for sensory clarity (vision/sound). Inteligible is for mental clarity.

La foto es nítida, pero el significado de la escena no es inteligible.

Padrões de frases

El/La [noun] es inteligible.

La voz es inteligible.

No es muy inteligible.

Su letra no es muy inteligible.

Tratar de hacerse inteligible.

Trato de hacerme inteligible en español.

Resultar [adverb] inteligible.

La clase resultó bastante inteligible.

Hacer inteligible lo [adjective].

Hizo inteligible lo complejo.

Carecer de estructura inteligible.

El discurso carecía de una estructura inteligible.

Ser inteligible para [persona].

Es inteligible para mí.

Escribir de forma inteligible.

Escribe de forma inteligible.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

inteligibilidad

inteligencia

intelecto

Verbos

intelectualizar

Adjetivos

inteligible

ininteligible

inteligente

intelectual

Relacionado

comprensión

entendimiento

claridad

percepción

lógica

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Como usar

frequency

Medium-high in formal/professional contexts; low in daily casual slang.

Erros comuns

Using 'inteligente' when you mean 'inteligible'. → Su explicación es inteligible.
You are describing the clarity of the explanation, not the IQ of the person.
Writing 'intelligible' with two Ls. → inteligible
Spanish spelling uses a single 'l' for this word family.
Saying 'inteligibla' for feminine nouns. → La voz es inteligible.
Adjectives ending in 'e' are gender-neutral in Spanish.
Using the preposition 'a' (inteligible a mí). → inteligible para mí
Spanish uses 'para' to indicate the person for whom something is understandable.
Using 'inteligible' to mean 'empathetic'. → Su dolor es comprensible.
'Inteligible' is for logic/data; 'comprensible' is for emotions.

Dicas

One L Rule

Never use double 'L'. In Spanish, 'll' is a different sound (like 'y'). Just remember 'inteligente' and you'll get 'inteligible' right.

Soft G

Practice saying 'hee' like in 'heat' but with a breathy Spanish 'j' sound. That is the 'gi' in 'inteligible'.

The Opposite

Learn 'ininteligible' at the same time. It's a long word but very useful for describing bad phone connections.

Gender Neutral

Don't change the ending to 'o' or 'a'. It's always 'inteligible' for everyone and everything.

Elevate Your Spanish

Use this word in presentations instead of 'claro'. It makes you sound more professional and precise.

Preposition Match

Always pair it with 'para'. 'Inteligible para el lector' is the natural Spanish way.

Context Clues

If you hear 'inteli...' in a classroom, it's likely 'inteligible' or 'inteligente'. Look at what they are describing.

Intel-Able

Think: My 'Intel' (brain) is 'Able' to understand this. Intel-igible.

Philosophy Hook

If you meet a philosophy student, ask them about the 'mundo inteligible'. It's a great conversation starter!

The Goal

Remember: You don't need to be perfect to be 'inteligible'. Focus on clarity first!

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'Intel' (like the processor) and 'Gible' (like 'able'). It means your 'Intel' (brain) is 'able' to process the info.

Associação visual

Imagine a radio with a dial. When you turn the dial and the static disappears into a clear voice, that is 'inteligible'.

Word Web

Clarity Understanding Cognate Logic Speech Handwriting Philosophy Acoustics

Desafio

Try to use 'inteligible' in a sentence about your favorite song's lyrics. For example: 'La letra de esta canción es muy inteligible'.

Origem da palavra

From the Latin 'intelligibilis', which means 'that can be understood'. It is derived from the verb 'intelligere' (to understand).

Significado original: Capable of being understood or perceived by the intellect.

Romance (Latin origin).

Contexto cultural

No specific sensitivities, but using it too much in very casual settings might make you sound 'pedante' (pretentious).

English speakers find this word easy because it's a direct cognate, but they must be careful with the Spanish pronunciation of the 'g'.

Plato's 'Republic' (Mundo Inteligible) Technical standards for telecommunications (ITU-T P.800) Academic critiques of postmodern literature

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Technology

Audio inteligible
Señal inteligible
Código inteligible
Datos inteligibles

Education

Explicación inteligible
Letra inteligible
Lección inteligible
Concepto inteligible

Law

Contrato inteligible
Testimonio inteligible
Ley inteligible
Derechos inteligibles

Philosophy

Mundo inteligible
Verdad inteligible
Forma inteligible
Realidad inteligible

Daily Life

Hablar de forma inteligible
Hacerse inteligible
No ser inteligible
Ser muy inteligible

Iniciadores de conversa

"¿Crees que el lenguaje técnico de los médicos es inteligible para los pacientes?"

"¿Qué haces cuando la letra de alguien no es inteligible?"

"¿Es inteligible mi pronunciación cuando hablo rápido?"

"¿Te parece que los políticos usan un lenguaje inteligible?"

"¿Cómo podemos hacer que la ciencia sea más inteligible para los niños?"

Temas para diário

Describe un momento en el que no pudiste hacerte inteligible en otro idioma.

Reflexiona sobre la importancia de escribir de forma inteligible en el trabajo.

¿Qué temas complejos te gustaría que fueran más inteligibles para ti?

Escribe sobre una canción cuya letra no sea inteligible pero que te guste mucho.

¿Cómo ha cambiado tu capacidad de ser inteligible en español desde que empezaste?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Inteligible se refiere a la claridad de la señal o el mensaje para ser percibido por el intelecto, mientras que comprensible es un término más amplio que incluye la capacidad de entender sentimientos o motivos. En contextos técnicos, se prefiere 'inteligible'.

No, 'inteligible' es un adjetivo invariable en género. Se usa igual para masculino y femenino: 'un hombre inteligible' o 'una mujer inteligible'.

Se dice 'ininteligible'. Es la forma más común y correcta de expresar que algo no se puede entender.

Es común en contextos formales, académicos y profesionales. En la calle, la gente suele decir 'claro' o 'se entiende'.

Usa 'legible' solo cuando hables de la calidad de la escritura a mano o impresa (si se pueden ver bien las letras). Usa 'inteligible' para el significado de las palabras.

En español, a diferencia del inglés 'intelligible', la mayoría de las palabras derivadas del latín simplificaron las consonantes dobles. 'Inteligente' e 'inteligible' siguen esta regla.

Significa lograr que los demás te entiendan cuando hablas, especialmente importante si tienes un acento fuerte o estás aprendiendo un idioma.

Sí, decir que la explicación de alguien es inteligible es un cumplido sobre su claridad y capacidad de comunicación.

Se pronuncia como una 'j' suave española, similar al sonido de la 'h' en la palabra inglesa 'house'.

Sí, los médicos la usan para describir si el habla de un paciente es clara, especialmente después de un accidente cerebrovascular o problemas neurológicos.

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