ciegos
/SYEH-gohs/
blind
Ciegos can describe those who are physically blind.
📝 In Action
Los gatos nacen ciegos y no abren los ojos hasta después de una semana.
A2Cats are born blind and don't open their eyes until after a week.
Mis abuelos están un poco ciegos por la edad.
B1My grandparents are a bit blind due to their age.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number Agreement
Use 'ciegos' when talking about a group of males or a mixed group of males and females. If you are talking only about women, use 'ciegas'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong verb
Mistake: "Ser ciegos vs. Estar ciegos"
Correction: Use 'ser' for permanent blindness (they are blind people) and 'estar' if you are emphasizing their current state or a result of an event (they went blind).
⭐ Usage Tips
Respectful terminology
While 'ciegos' is the standard word, in formal or medical settings, 'personas con discapacidad visual' is often preferred for politeness.
Ciegos is used as a noun to refer to a group of blind people.
📝 In Action
Hay semáforos especiales para los ciegos en esta calle.
B1There are special traffic lights for the blind on this street.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'The' Rule
In Spanish, we use 'los ciegos' to mean 'the blind' or 'blind people' in general. You don't need the word 'personas' (people) if the context is clear.
Ciegos can mean being blinded by a very bright light.
📝 In Action
Están ciegos de rabia y no quieren escuchar razones.
B2They are blinded by rage and don't want to listen to reason.
Los fans muestran un apoyo ciego a sus ídolos.
C1Fans show blind support for their idols.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative use
Just like in English, you can be 'blind' to the truth or 'blind' with anger. In these cases, we usually use the word 'de' (of/with) to explain what is causing the blindness.
In a colloquial sense, ciegos can describe being completely wasted or intoxicated.
📝 In Action
Anoche volvieron a casa totalmente ciegos.
C1Last night they came home totally wasted.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: ciegos
Question 1 of 2
If you are talking about a group containing 10 women and 1 man who cannot see, which word should you use?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ciegos' offensive?
Generally, no. It is the standard descriptive term. However, using it as a noun ('los ciegos') can sometimes feel slightly less personal than saying 'personas ciegas' (blind people).
What is the feminine plural?
The feminine plural is 'ciegas', used only when every single person in the group is female.