convincente

Convincente is an adjective used in several Romance languages, notably Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese. It describes something that has the power to persuade or convince someone, such as an argument, evidence, explanation, or performance that leads others to believe or accept a claim. In English, the closest equivalents are convincing or persuasive.

Etymology and form: The term derives from the Latin convincere, from con- “together” and vincere “to conquer,” historically meaning to win someone over. In contemporary use, the form is generally invariable for gender in Spanish and Italian, while Portuguese follows the standard pluralization pattern for -ente adjectives. Examples: Spanish: el argumento convincente; los argumentos convincentes. Italian: l’argomento convincente; gli argomenti convincenti. Portuguese: uma explicação convincente; explicações convinentes.

Usage and nuance: Convincente emphasizes the effectiveness of the argument or evidence in producing belief. It is commonly used to describe claims that are well supported by facts and reasoning. It is often contrasted with persuasivo/persuasiva in contexts where the emphasis is on the rhetorical appeal or the style used to persuade, rather than the outcome alone. In practice, a statement can be convincing without being overly ornate, and persuasive without necessarily being conclusive.

Related terms: Persuasivo, persuasivo/a, creíble, plausible, sólido. The choice between convincing and persuasive can reflect whether one highlights the outcome (convincing) or the method and force of persuasion (persuasive).