Inklingo
← Dictionary

desaparecido

des-ah-pah-reh-SEE-doh/desapaɾeˈsiðo/

missing

Also: vanished
A simple illustration of an empty space on a kitchen counter, marked by a faint dust outline, suggesting an object is missing.

📝 In Action

El collar de oro está desaparecido desde anoche.

B1

The gold necklace has been missing since last night.

Encontraron el coche desaparecido a pocos kilómetros de la ciudad.

B2

They found the vanished car a few kilometers from the city.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • reporte de desaparecido – missing person report

missing person

Also: casualty (archaic)
NounmB2
A storybook illustration of an empty child's bed with a teddy bear sitting alone on the pillow, symbolizing a missing person.

📝 In Action

La Guardia Costera sigue buscando al desaparecido en el mar.

B2

The Coast Guard is still searching for the missing person in the sea.

La lista de desaparecidos incluía a varios turistas.

C1

The list of missing persons included several tourists.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • víctima (victim)
  • persona extraviada (lost person)

the disappeared

Also: politically missing person
Nounm/f (used collectively)C1formal
A solemn storybook illustration showing an empty dirt road disappearing into a thick gray mist, with a single butterfly resting on a small flower in the foreground.

📝 In Action

La búsqueda de los desaparecidos es un tema central en la memoria histórica.

C1

The search for the disappeared is a central issue in historical memory.

Cada 24 de marzo se rinde homenaje a los miles de desaparecidos.

C2

Every March 24th, tribute is paid to the thousands of disappeared victims.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • hijo de desaparecidos – child of the disappeared
  • juicio por los desaparecidos – trial for the disappeared

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "desaparecido" in Spanish:

missing→missing person→the disappeared→vanished→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: desaparecido

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'desaparecido' with the historical meaning of forced abduction?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
desaparecer(to disappear) — Verb
desaparición(disappearance) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the verb 'desaparecer,' formed by combining the prefix 'des-' (meaning 'un-' or the reversal of an action) with the verb 'aparecer' (to appear or show up). Therefore, 'desaparecido' literally means 'un-appeared' or 'the state of having ceased to appear.'

First recorded: Mid-15th century (as 'desaparecer')

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: desaparecidoItalian: sparito

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'desaparecido' a verb or an adjective?

It is officially the past participle of the verb 'desaparecer,' but in everyday conversation and news reporting, it functions as an adjective ('missing') or a noun ('a missing person').

Can I use 'desaparecido' for an object?

Yes, absolutely! If you can't find your keys or your wallet, you can say they are 'desaparecidos' (or 'desaparecidas,' depending on the object's gender and number).