alterado
/al-te-RAH-doh/
upset
A person feeling upset or emotionally distressed.
alterado(adjective)
upset
?emotional state
,agitated
?feeling nervous or worked up
angry
?showing visible frustration
📝 In Action
Cálmate un poco, te veo muy alterado.
B1Calm down a bit, you look very upset.
El cliente se puso alterado porque el vuelo se canceló.
B1The customer became agitated because the flight was canceled.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'estar' vs 'ser'
Use 'estar' with this word to describe a temporary mood or state of mind. Using 'ser' is very rare and would imply the person is permanently 'changed'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Not a False Friend for 'Alternative'
Mistake: "Using 'alterado' to mean 'an alternative option'."
Correction: Use 'alternativo' for options. 'Alterado' always means something has been changed or someone is upset.
⭐ Usage Tips
Gender Matching
Remember that if you are describing a woman, the ending changes to 'a': 'Ella está alterada'.
An object that has been altered or changed from its original state.
alterado(adjective)
altered
?something that has been changed
,modified
?adjusted from the original state
disturbed
?referring to order or peace
📝 In Action
El horario de clases ha sido alterado.
B2The class schedule has been altered.
El orden de los nombres fue alterado por error.
B2The order of the names was modified by mistake.
An item that shows clear signs of being tampered with.
alterado(adjective)
tampered with
?illegal changes to a document
,spoiled
?food that is no longer safe to eat
falsified
?fake or forged records
📝 In Action
La policía cree que el documento fue alterado.
C1The police believe the document was tampered with.
No comas eso, el producto parece alterado.
C1Don't eat that, the product looks spoiled.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: alterado
Question 1 of 2
If your friend is shouting and pacing back and forth, they are...
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'alterado' always mean angry?
Not necessarily. While it often describes someone who is upset or angry, it can also mean someone is just very nervous or even that a physical object (like a contract or a food item) has been changed or tampered with.
Is 'alterado' a verb?
Technically, it is a past participle (a verb form ending in -ado/-ido). While it can be used in verb tenses like 'he alterado' (I have changed), it is most commonly used on its own as an adjective to describe people or things.