ciega
/SYEH-gah/
blind
Depicting the adjective 'blind', or lacking sight.
ciega(adjective)
blind
?lacking sight
unthinking
?figurative, e.g., 'blind rage'
,unreasoning
?figurative
📝 In Action
Mi abuela es ciega de nacimiento.
A2My grandmother has been blind since birth.
Actuó movida por una rabia ciega.
B1She acted driven by a blind (unthinking) rage.
Necesitas una cita ciega para conocer gente nueva.
B1You need a blind date to meet new people.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Matching
As an adjective, 'ciega' must match the feminine person or thing it describes. If you were describing a man, you would use 'ciego'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Adjective and Noun
Mistake: "Using 'la ciega' when you mean 'la mujer ciega'."
Correction: While 'la ciega' is correct (Definition 2), it is often more polite and descriptive to use 'persona ciega' or 'mujer ciega' if you are referring to the characteristic, not the person as a noun.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with *Estar* or *Ser*
Use the verb ser (es ciega) because sight is usually a permanent characteristic. Use estar (está ciega) only if the lack of sight is temporary or caused by something external (like temporary dazzling).
Depicting the noun 'blind woman', a female person lacking sight.
📝 In Action
Ayudamos a la ciega a cruzar la calle.
A2We helped the blind woman cross the street.
La joven ciega leyó el libro en braille.
B1The young blind woman read the book in braille.
💡 Grammar Points
The Noun Form
When 'ciega' is used as a noun, it stands alone and refers directly to the person. It is always feminine.
⭐ Usage Tips
Politeness in Usage
While correct, many speakers prefer the term 'persona invidente' (visually impaired person) as a more respectful alternative in formal situations.
Depicting the verb 'blinds' (3rd person singular present), meaning to cause someone to lose sight.
ciega(verb)
blinds
?3rd person singular present of 'cegar'
,dazzles
?3rd person singular present of 'cegar'
blocks up
?3rd person singular present, figurative or literal blocking
📝 In Action
La envidia ciega a la gente y les hace cometer errores.
B1Envy blinds people and makes them commit mistakes.
Esa luz tan fuerte ciega al conductor.
B1That strong light blinds the driver.
Usted ciega el hueco con cemento.
B2You (formal) block up the hole with cement.
💡 Grammar Points
Stem Change E → IE
The verb cegar changes the 'e' in its root to 'ie' whenever the stress falls on the root (which happens for most singular forms and the third-person plural in the present tense).
Spelling Change in Preterite/Subjunctive
Notice the 'g' changes to 'gu' in the nosotros and vosotros forms of the present subjunctive (ceguemos, ceguéis) and the yo form of the preterite (cegué). This is just to keep the 'g' sound hard, like in 'gato'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
The verb cegar is often used figuratively to mean that a strong emotion (like rage, love, or ambition) makes someone unable to think clearly.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ciega
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'ciega' in its verb form?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ciega' rude to use?
While 'ciega' (blind woman) is technically correct, many people prefer the term 'invidente' (visually impaired) as it is considered more respectful and less direct. Context matters: 'cita ciega' (blind date) is completely normal.
How do I know if 'ciega' is the adjective or the verb?
If it follows a verb like *ser* or *estar* (Ella es ciega), it's usually the adjective. If it is acting as the main action of the sentence and could be replaced by 'blinds' (El sol ciega), it is the verb form of *cegar*.