desaparecidos
“desaparecidos” means “the disappeared” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
the disappeared
Also: missing persons
📝 In Action
Las familias de los desaparecidos todavía buscan la verdad.
B2The families of the disappeared are still searching for the truth.
El monumento recuerda a los desaparecidos de la dictadura.
B2The monument remembers those who disappeared during the dictatorship.
missing
Also: vanished
📝 In Action
Mis calcetines están desaparecidos.
A2My socks are missing.
Los excursionistas siguen desaparecidos en la montaña.
B1The hikers are still missing on the mountain.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "desaparecidos" in Spanish:
missing persons→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: desaparecidos
Question 1 of 2
Which verb should you use if you want to say 'The documents are missing'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish verb 'desaparecer'. It combines 'des-' (which acts like 'un-' or 'undo') with 'aparecer' (to appear), coming from the Latin 'apparescere'.
First recorded: 13th century (base verb)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'perdidos' and 'desaparecidos'?
'Perdidos' usually means 'lost' (like being lost in a city or losing your keys). 'Desaparecidos' means 'missing' or 'vanished' and often implies a more mysterious or serious situation where something has completely disappeared from sight.
Is 'desaparecidos' always plural?
Not necessarily, but it is very commonly used in the plural to refer to groups. The singular is 'desaparecido' (for a man) or 'desaparecida' (for a woman).