afortunado
/ah-for-too-NAH-doh/
lucky
When used as an adjective, 'afortunado' means 'lucky,' often symbolized by finding good fortune.
afortunado(adjective)
lucky
?having good fortune
,fortunate
?blessed by fate
blessed
?in a non-religious sense
📝 In Action
Soy muy afortunado de tener amigos tan buenos.
A2I am very lucky to have such good friends.
Fue un comentario afortunado que calmó la situación.
B1It was a fortunate comment that calmed the situation.
¿Te sientes afortunada hoy? ¡Yo sí!
A2Do you feel lucky today? I do!
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number Agreement
As an adjective, 'afortunado' changes its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'afortunada' (feminine singular), 'afortunados' (masculine plural), 'afortunadas' (feminine plural).
Using Ser or Estar
You typically use 'ser' (es/son) because being lucky is seen as a characteristic or long-term state. However, you can use 'estar' (está/están) if you are describing a temporary feeling: 'Estoy afortunado hoy' (I feel lucky today).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Gender Change
Mistake: "Ella es afortunado."
Correction: Ella es afortunada. (The adjective must end in -a to match the feminine subject 'ella'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Intensifying Luck
To say someone is very lucky, use 'muy afortunado' or the suffix '-ísimo': 'Es afortunadísimo' (He is extremely lucky).
As a noun, 'afortunado' refers to a 'lucky person'—someone who benefits from good fortune.
afortunado(noun)
lucky person
?the individual who benefits
,the fortunate one
?referring to a specific winner
📝 In Action
El afortunado ganador del sorteo se lleva un coche nuevo.
B1The lucky winner of the raffle gets a new car.
Anunciarán a la afortunada mañana por la radio.
B2They will announce the lucky woman tomorrow on the radio.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective to Noun
When you put an article ('el', 'la', 'los', 'las') directly before 'afortunado,' it stops being an adjective and becomes a noun meaning 'the lucky person,' matching the article's gender.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: afortunado
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the feminine plural form of 'afortunado'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'afortunado' and 'suertudo'?
They both mean 'lucky.' 'Afortunado' is generally more formal and descriptive, often implying good fortune or fate. 'Suertudo' (or 'con suerte') is much more informal and is commonly used in casual conversation, especially in Latin America.
How do I make 'afortunado' negative?
The negative form is 'desafortunado,' which means 'unlucky' or 'unfortunate.' You can also use 'no afortunado,' but 'desafortunado' is much more common and natural.