castigado
/kas-ti-GÁ-do/
grounded
When a child is castigado (grounded), they are confined to the house as punishment.
castigado(Adjective)
grounded
?confined to home as punishment (for a child/teenager)
,punished
?facing consequences for bad behavior
in detention
?at school
📝 In Action
Mi hijo está castigado porque no hizo su tarea.
A2My son is grounded because he didn't do his homework.
La profesora dejó a los estudiantes castigados después de clase.
B1The teacher kept the students in detention after class.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'castigado' must match the gender and number of the person being described: 'castigada' (f. singular), 'castigados' (m. plural), 'castigadas' (f. plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "El niño es castigado."
Correction: El niño está castigado. (Use 'estar' because this describes a temporary state or condition, not a permanent characteristic.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Phrase
A common way to ask if someone is in trouble is: '¿Estás castigado/a?'
Something that has been castigado (ravaged) is heavily damaged by harsh treatment or the elements.
castigado(Adjective)
ravaged
?damaged by the elements or harsh treatment
,heavily affected
?suffering the consequences of something severe
chastised
?formal literary sense of being severely criticized
📝 In Action
Esa tierra se ve castigada por la sequía.
B2That land looks ravaged by the drought.
Tenía las manos castigadas por el frío y el trabajo duro.
B2His hands were heavily affected/damaged by the cold and hard work.
💡 Grammar Points
Function as Past Participle
Remember that 'castigado' is the form used to create perfect tenses with 'haber,' like 'ha castigado' (he/she has punished) or passive voice with 'ser/estar,' like 'fue castigado' (he was punished).
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
When describing inanimate objects or body parts, 'castigado' implies severe wear, tear, or suffering, usually caused by external forces (weather, work, neglect).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: castigado
Question 1 of 2
Which English word best captures the meaning of 'castigado' when describing a teenager?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'castigado' always negative?
Yes, 'castigado' always relates to punishment, discipline, or suffering damage. Even in the sense of 'ravaged by the sun,' it implies a negative consequence or deterioration.
How do I make 'castigado' feminine or plural?
Since it acts like a regular adjective, you change the ending: 'castigada' (feminine singular), 'castigados' (masculine plural), and 'castigadas' (feminine plural). It must match the person or thing you are describing.