ciego
/SYEH-go/
blind
When used as an adjective, ciego means lacking sight.
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo se quedó ciego a causa de una enfermedad.
A1My grandfather went blind because of an illness.
Necesitas un perro guía si eres ciego y vives solo.
A2You need a guide dog if you are blind and live alone.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number
Like many Spanish describing words, 'ciego' must match the person or thing it describes: 'ciego' (masculine singular), 'ciega' (feminine singular), 'ciegos' (masculine plural), 'ciegas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'ser' and 'estar'
Mistake: "Está ciego. (Using 'estar')"
Correction: Es ciego. (Using 'ser'). We use 'ser' because blindness is usually a permanent, defining characteristic.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'quedar(se)'
You can use the verb 'quedarse' (to become/remain) to talk about the process of losing sight: 'Quedó ciego después del accidente' (He became blind after the accident).
As a noun, ciego refers to a blind person.
📝 In Action
El ciego usó su bastón para cruzar la calle.
A1The blind person used his cane to cross the street.
El gobierno ofrece ayuda económica a los ciegos.
B1The government offers financial aid to the blind.
💡 Grammar Points
Referring to Groups
In Spanish, you can often use the masculine plural noun ('los ciegos') to refer generally to all blind people (men and women).
Ciego can also be used figuratively to mean lacking reason or judgment.
📝 In Action
Estaba ciego de rabia y no escuchaba a nadie.
B1He was blind with rage and wasn't listening to anyone.
El amor la tenía completamente ciega a sus defectos.
B2Love had made her completely blind to his flaws.
💡 Grammar Points
Prepositions for Emotion
When using 'ciego' figuratively, you almost always use the preposition 'de' (of) to introduce the emotion that caused the 'blindness': 'ciego de celos' (blind with jealousy).
When describing a space, ciego means a dead end or hidden space.
ciego(adjective)
blind
?describing a dead end or hidden space
dead-end
?describing a street or alley
,hidden
?describing a wall or room
📝 In Action
Esta es una calle ciega, tenemos que dar la vuelta.
B2This is a blind street (a dead-end), we have to turn around.
El punto ciego del espejo retrovisor es peligroso.
C1The blind spot in the rearview mirror is dangerous.
⭐ Usage Tips
Technical Usage
In engineering or building, 'pared ciega' refers to a wall without windows or doors (a blank wall).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ciego
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'ciego' in its figurative sense (blinded by emotion)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ciego' offensive to use?
No, 'ciego' is the standard, neutral word in Spanish for 'blind.' However, just like in English, it is always best to prioritize person-first language, such as 'persona ciega' (blind person).
What is the difference between 'ciego' and 'invidente'?
'Ciego' is the common, everyday word. 'Invidente' is a more formal or clinical term, often preferred in official documents or media because it literally means 'non-seeing.' Both are acceptable.