abandonado
/ah-bahn-doh-NAH-doh/
neglected
An object that is neglected, or run-down, is abandonado.
abandonado(Adjective)
neglected
?run-down, uncared for (place or object)
,run-down
?dilapidated building or vehicle
derelict
?legally abandoned property
📝 In Action
Esta fábrica ha estado abandonada por veinte años.
A2This factory has been abandoned (run-down) for twenty years.
Compramos un coche muy abandonado, pero lo arreglaremos.
B1We bought a very neglected car, but we will fix it.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'abandonado' must match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun it describes: 'un perro abandonado' (M, S) vs. 'las sillas abandonadas' (F, P).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Misusing Ser vs. Estar
Mistake: "La casa es abandonada."
Correction: La casa está abandonada. Use 'estar' because 'abandonado' describes the current state or condition of the house, not its permanent identity.
⭐ Usage Tips
Past Participle Origin
'Abandonado' is the past participle of the verb 'abandonar' (to abandon). This is why it describes the result of an action (being left behind or neglected).
When a place or object is deserted or left behind, it is abandonado.
abandonado(Adjective)
deserted
?left behind by someone
,forsaken
?emotionally abandoned
left in the lurch
?colloquial expression for being deserted
📝 In Action
Se sintió totalmente abandonado cuando su socio se fue.
B1He felt totally deserted when his partner left.
Temía ser abandonada por sus amigos.
B2She was afraid of being forsaken by her friends.
💡 Grammar Points
The Passive Voice
When talking about an action done to someone, 'abandonado' works with the verb 'ser' to form the passive voice: 'El niño fue abandonado' (The child was abandoned).
⭐ Usage Tips
Emotional vs. Physical State
Use 'abandonado' to describe both the physical state of being left (Definition 1) and the emotional state of feeling deserted (Definition 2). Context usually makes the meaning clear.
A person who has been abandoned or rejected is an abandonado.
abandonado(Noun)
outcast
?a person who has been abandoned or rejected
waif
?a neglected or homeless person
📝 In Action
La sociedad trata a los sin techo como abandonados.
C1Society treats the homeless as outcasts.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective as Noun
Like many Spanish adjectives, 'abandonado' can be used as a noun by placing an article (like 'el' or 'un') in front of it, meaning 'the abandoned one' or 'an abandoned person'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: abandonado
Question 1 of 2
Which Spanish sentence correctly uses 'abandonado' to describe a current state of neglect?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'abandonado' the same as 'solo' (alone)?
Not quite. While an 'abandonado' is usually alone, 'solo' just means being without company. 'Abandonado' specifically implies that someone *else* caused the loneliness by leaving or neglecting them, carrying a stronger sense of sadness or dereliction.
How do I know if 'abandonado' is an adjective or part of a verb phrase?
If it follows 'ser' or 'estar' and agrees with the noun (e.g., 'la mesa está abandonada'), it is acting as an adjective describing a state. If it is used with the verb 'haber' (e.g., 'ha abandonado'), it is the past participle forming a compound tense of the verb 'to abandon'.