fácil vs sencillo
Portuguese word comparison
Listen to fácil
Listen to sencillo
| fácil | sencillo |
|---|---|
/FAH-sil/ adjective | /sen-SEE-lyoo/ adjective |
| Easy; not difficult to do, understand, or complete. | Simple; plain and straightforward. |
How they differ
"Sencillo" is close to "fácil," but it often highlights straightforwardness, modesty, or lack of ornament rather than ease of effort. In some contexts it can suggest something is easy because it is direct or not elaborate, while "fácil" more directly means not difficult.
When to use each
When to use fácil: Use "fácil" when the main idea is that something is easy to do, solve, or learn.
When to use sencillo: Use "sencillo" when you want to emphasize that something is plain, direct, or uncomplicated in style or manner.
Side-by-side examples
- Foi fácil entender a explicação.
(It was easy to understand the explanation.) - A explicação foi simples e direta.
(The explanation was simple and direct.)
Register & nuance: "Sencillo" is less common in everyday Brazilian Portuguese and is more likely to appear in some regional or literary contexts.