adelantado
/ah-deh-lahn-TAH-doh/
ahead of schedule
Adelantado can mean 'ahead of schedule,' like finishing a big project before the workday even properly begins.
adelantado(Adjective)
ahead of schedule
?time/planning
,advanced
?development/technology
early
?when referring to a birth or event
,fast
?pace
📝 In Action
Mi reloj está cinco minutos adelantado.
A2My watch is five minutes fast (ahead).
Terminamos el trabajo tres días adelantados.
B1We finished the work three days ahead of schedule.
Es una tecnología muy adelantada para su época.
B2It is a very advanced technology for its time.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
Like many Spanish adjectives, 'adelantado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'un reloj adelantado' (masculine) but 'una tecnología adelantada' (feminine).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'Adelantar' and 'Avanzar'
Mistake: "Using 'avanzado' when referring to being ahead of a clock or schedule."
Correction: Use 'adelantado' specifically for time or schedules: 'Estamos adelantados' (We are ahead of time). 'Avanzado' is better for general progress or complexity.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Time Difference
To say how much 'ahead' something is, use the structure: 'estar adelantado' + the amount of time. Example: 'Estamos un mes adelantados' (We are a month ahead).
Historically, an adelantado was a title given to a colonial governor or military commander appointed by the Spanish crown.
📝 In Action
El Rey nombró un adelantado para la nueva provincia.
C1The King named a governor/commander for the new province.
Los adelantados tenían grandes poderes en las colonias.
C2The 'adelantados' (governors) held great power in the colonies.
💡 Grammar Points
Historical Context
This word refers to a specific, high-ranking military and judicial official appointed by the Spanish Crown during the conquest and colonization of the Americas.
As a past participle, adelantado means 'advanced' or 'moved forward,' showing something that has progressed significantly along a route.
adelantado(Past Participle)
advanced
?used with 'haber' to form perfect tenses
passed
?e.g., in traffic
📝 In Action
Hemos adelantado mucho en la investigación.
A1We have advanced a lot in the investigation.
¿Ya has adelantado a ese camión?
A2Have you already passed that truck?
💡 Grammar Points
Forming Perfect Tenses
'Adelantado' is the building block for perfect tenses (like 'I have done'). You use it with a form of the verb 'haber': 'Yo he adelantado' (I have advanced).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Participle Agreement (Perfect Tenses)
Mistake: "Changing the ending of 'adelantado' when used with 'haber' (e.g., *Hemos adelantadas*)."
Correction: When forming perfect tenses (with 'haber'), the participle is always masculine singular: 'Hemos adelantado' (We have advanced). Only change the ending when using it as a plain adjective (Definition 1).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: adelantado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'adelantado' as an adjective meaning 'ahead of schedule'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'adelantado' and 'avanzado'?
'Adelantado' usually implies moving ahead of a specific point, often time or position (e.g., 'ahead of schedule,' 'a fast clock,' 'overtaking a car'). 'Avanzado' refers to general progression in complexity or skill (e.g., 'advanced course,' 'advanced technology').
Why is 'adelantado' sometimes used in history books?
Historically, 'adelantado' was a prestigious title given by the Spanish Crown to military and civil leaders who were tasked with conquering and governing new frontier territories. They were literally 'the ones sent ahead.'