Adjective
/sinˈseɾo/
The word "sincero" is used in the Spanish language to describe someone who is genuine, honest, and straightforward. It conveys a sense of purity in intentions, statements, or feelings. The frequency of use is relatively high in both oral and written contexts, often employed in personal conversations, formal discussions, and literature.
He is a sincere friend who always tells the truth.
La carta contenía palabras sinceras que tocaban el corazón.
The letter contained sincere words that touched the heart.
Aprecio tu opinión sincera sobre mi proyecto.
While "sincero" may not often appear in traditional idiomatic expressions, its essence is reflected in various common phrases that promote honesty and straightforwardness. Here are a few examples:
I spoke with sincerity about my feelings.
Ser sincero como un libro abierto.
She is as sincere as an open book and hides nothing.
Aquello fue un gesto sincero.
The word "sincero" comes from the latinate root "sincerus," which means pure, clean, or without mixture. Historically, it is thought to have been derived from the phrase “sine cera” (without wax) referring to artisan practices where dishonest dealers would use wax to hide imperfections in marble statues, thus a "sincere" product would be one without such deceit.