comparado
/kohm-pah-RAH-doh/
compared
Illustrating relative size: a large apple 'comparado' (compared) to a small berry.
📝 In Action
Este coche es lento comparado con el modelo anterior.
B1This car is slow compared to the previous model.
Las cifras comparadas no mienten: hubo un gran aumento.
B2The compared figures don't lie: there was a big increase.
Ella, comparada con su hermana, es muy callada.
B1She, compared to her sister, is very quiet.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
When used as a descriptive word, 'comparado' must change its ending to match the thing it is describing: 'el informe comparado' (masculine singular), 'las notas comparadas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'con'
Mistake: "Mi trabajo es mejor comparado su trabajo."
Correction: Mi trabajo es mejor comparado CON su trabajo. (Always use 'con' to introduce the thing you are comparing against.)
⭐ Usage Tips
A Quick Way to Contrast
Using 'comparado con' is one of the most common and simple ways to draw a contrast between two things in Spanish.
The past action of comparing: The child has 'comparado' (compared) the two items.
📝 In Action
Hemos comparado todos los precios antes de comprar.
A2We have compared all the prices before buying.
Ella ya había comparado las muestras cuando llegué.
B1She had already compared the samples when I arrived.
Dudo que hayas comparado esas dos opciones seriamente.
B2I doubt you have compared those two options seriously.
💡 Grammar Points
Forming Completed Actions
'Comparado' is the form you use with the helper verb 'haber' (to have) to talk about actions that are finished, like 'I have compared' (He comparado).
Use in Passive Voice
You can also use 'comparado' with the verb 'ser' (to be) to show that something received the action: 'El producto fue comparado con la competencia' (The product was compared with the competition).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Past Participle Agreement with 'Haber'
Mistake: "Hemos comparados los precios."
Correction: Hemos comparado los precios. (When used with 'haber' to form perfect tenses, the 'comparado' form never changes, even if the thing being compared is plural or feminine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
The Simple Ending
All regular '-ar' verbs form their past participle (the completed action form) by changing '-ar' to '-ado'. Think of 'hablar' -> 'hablado' and 'comparar' -> 'comparado'.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: comparado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'comparado' as an adjective (meaning it changes its ending to match the noun)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'comparado' ever change its ending when used with 'haber'?
No. When 'comparado' is used with the verb 'haber' (like in 'he comparado' or 'hemos comparado'), it always stays in the '-o' ending, regardless of who is doing the action or what they are comparing.
What is the difference between 'comparado' and 'comparando'?
'Comparado' is the finished action form ('compared'), used after 'haber'. 'Comparando' is the ongoing action form ('comparing'), used after 'estar' (Estoy comparando: I am comparing).