Sencillo is not simple

Question

I recently saw this translation.

Es una persona muy sencilla.
He is very down to earth.

First, I notice that sencilla (fem.) is used. Obviously, it is agreeing with "persona," but I think I would have used sencillo to agree with the subject, él. Can you give me other examples of this kind of situation?

Second, I didn't know that sencillo could have this positive meaning, rather than simple, naive, or innocent in an ignorant kind of way. Is this common usage, and is there any danger of it being misconstrued'

Answer 1

I agree with you Vernic, "sencillo" can be negative and "simple" can be positive.

"Sencillo" can be associated to poor of mind, education, culture...

In the song "antes muerta que sencilla", the meaning is without ornament, that can be either positive or not, depending on the taste of each person.

"La solución al problema es muy simple", the meaning is positive, there are no problems to fins a solution.

"Ambiente elitista" is perfect in Spanish.

Answer 2

Thanks, Vernic, for the detailed explanation. I can see how sencillo could be negative in such a case. (And I watched the video of that singer on Youtube just now; it was faintly disturbing to see such a young girl singing those lyrics.)

Thanks to all of you for reducing the volume of my ignorance by a small measure.

Answer 3

Si, personalmente lo consideraría un cumplido. Si bién estamos hablando de uno de esos términos ambigüos del español (como hay muchos).
En un extremo, dentro de un ambiente "elitista" (no estoy muy segura de esta palabra en español) ser "sencillo/a" suele ser asociado a ser pobre, lo cual podría ser considerado un insulto y ser utilizado en forma despectiva. Sin embargo es bien sabido que se puede ser millonario y tener una personalidad y trato sencillo.
Esto me recuerda una niña que hace no muchos años hizo muy popular una canción llamada "Antes muerta que sencilla".
En fin, creo que esto no aclara la duda.

Answer 4

Also, we seem to be unable to edit our posts right now.

Answer 5

Heidita wrote:

Jesus, I am having trouble posting

There seems to be something wrong with the site software. The "Reply to this" link doesn't work.

We would use "simple" in that way:

No seas tan simple/simplón. (Don't be so naive, such an idiot)

Ah, I see. That clears up a lot. And that was exactly what I was asking about. Thanks.

Gustavo wrote:

Eres una persona "buena", James

Ah, I see your point. I'm not sure why the structure in the sentence in question gave me pause.

Answer 6

Jesus, I am having trouble posting, I wonder if it is my computer...(can you see the bold and cursive'')

Well, yes, definitely not an insult over here in Spain.

Es un hombre sencillo y majo: just like my husband!!

Actually, I have reread. Sencillo never means "simple" in a bad kind of way.

We would use "simple" in that way:

No seas tan simple/simplón. (Don't be so naive, such an idiot)

Answer 7

Thanks, V and H.

So, you would consider it a compliment, or at least not a put down, to be called sencilla'

Answer 8

HI James, interesting question.

The subject here is persona, so the adjective agrees with its gender.

Son personas sencillas.

Answer 9

Persona sencilla = That act natural, spontaneous. Can be used with any gender: El es un hombre sencillo/ Ella es una mujer sencilla.
El lleva una vida sencilla= without ostentation, no holds.
Cosa sencilla= something without composition or complication/ La bicicleta es un ejemplo de una máquina sencilla.
Algo sencillo de hacer = Fue sencillo contestar el exámen.
El trámite es sencillo.