How do I translate aficionado into Spanish?

Question

Aficionado in English means so much more than that which is does in Spanish, in which it simply means fan or someone who is keen on a given thing.

Yet, this dictionary offers 'aficionado' as its translation.

Can anyone better that?

My understanding of what would be an aficionado is someone with a high level of interest and knowledge in a given subject, about which he or she is passionate. So, whereas I would say I am a fan or wine, I certainly would not suppose to be an aficionado. I don't consider devotee as a suitable alternative as one can be blindly devoted without the need for knowledge nor experience.

Some more official defenitions:

An aficionado is a more contemporary and less snobbish term for a connoisseur. While not always a collector, a wine aficionado appreciates the distinctions among wines of varying grapes, origins and ages.

An avid and informed devotee of...

Answer 1

I'm not sure that I fully agree with your understanding of how "aficionado" is used in Spanish (after all, it is a Spanish word!). But perhaps the word you are looking for is "fanático"; which is like an aficionado, only a lot more so.

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In view of your further questions and comments, I believe that "aficionado" continues to be a good, probably the best, choice.

The RAE says:

aficionado, da.

(Del part. de aficionar).

1. adj. Que siente afición por alguna actividad. Aficionado a la lectura.

2. adj. Que cultiva o practica, sin ser profesional, un arte, oficio, ciencia, deporte, etc.

Also:

afición.

(Del lat. affect?o, -?nis, afección).

1. f. Inclinación, amor a alguien o algo.

2. f. Ahínco, empeño.

So in my view the word adequately describes a person who really loves, appreciates and /or enjoys something, without being a professional of that art or science, sport or whatever.

Well, I'm not a native speaker and no have no feel for the word, my understanding comes soley from what I read in the dictionary. The word fan comes from fanatic. To me and aficionado (English version) is more refined than a fanatic... - afowen, Dec 14, 2010

Gekko I would agree with you :) However i would not use the word fanatic in English here since it has negative overtones linked to terroristm Positive words include; Fan, supporter, enthusiast, devotee aficionado and these words are in my ... - FELIZ77, Dec 15, 2010

...Collins Engliish Dictionary in the Thesaurus section :) - FELIZ77, Dec 15, 2010

Answer 2

I would have to say 'entusiasta'. According to the DRAE it simply means 'Que siente entusiasmo por alguien o algo', but in practice people use that word pretty much like 'aficionado' is used in the English speaking world.

eg: a guy crazy about computers etc.. would be called 'un entusiasta de la informática'

So, entusiasta implies a relatively high level of knowledge, as well as interest in the subject? - afowen, Dec 14, 2010

I agree with Bill in principle. However "un aficionado de la computación" is just as meaningful and appropriate, in my perception. - Gekkosan, Dec 14, 2010

To me they are not mutually exclusive, at all. I just wouldn't call a guy an 'entusiasta' of anything unless he was at least knowledgeable about the subject he likes, whereas an 'aficionado' would be anyone who likes that subject, regardless of his level. - bill1111, Dec 14, 2010

Answer 3

Thanks both for your responses.

Again, my key issue with the definition of aficionado in Spanish as opposed to English is that it does not imply a reasonably high level of knowledge in the subject, again comparing with the following definition in English:

An aficionado is a more contemporary and less snobbish term for a connoisseur. While not always a collector, a wine aficionado appreciates the distinctions among wines of varying grapes, origins and ages.

At least in English, I would agree that the word enthusiast would intimate a level of knowledge as well as interest whereas a fan (or fanatic) might be as passionate as they like over a given subject yet still wholly ignorant as to its finer details. To that end, if entusiasta is to enthusiast as aficionado is to fan, then it seems that entusiasta would be more fitting for my purposes.

Would anyone else care to opine?