descuidado
“descuidado” means “careless” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
careless
Also: sloppy, negligent
📝 In Action
No seas descuidado con tu pasaporte.
A2Don't be careless with your passport.
Es un trabajador muy descuidado y siempre comete errores.
B1He is a very sloppy worker and always makes mistakes.
Un conductor descuidado puede causar accidentes graves.
B2A careless driver can cause serious accidents.
neglected
Also: untidy, messy
📝 In Action
El jardín está un poco descuidado.
A2The garden is a bit neglected.
Llevaba el pelo largo y un aspecto algo descuidado.
B2He had long hair and a somewhat untidy appearance.
La casa se ve descuidada porque nadie vive allí.
B1The house looks messy/neglected because nobody lives there.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: descuidado
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'The garden is neglected' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish prefix 'des-' (which means 'un-' or 'the opposite of') combined with the verb 'cuidar' (to care/look after).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'descuidado' always a bad thing?
Usually yes, it implies a lack of effort. However, in fashion, it can sometimes refer to a 'relaxed' or 'effortless' look.
What is the difference between 'descuidado' and 'sucio'?
'Sucio' means there is physical dirt. 'Descuidado' means there is a lack of maintenance, like a wall with peeling paint or a person who forgot to brush their hair.
Can I use 'descuidado' for a woman?
Yes, but you must change the ending to an 'a': 'Ella es descuidada'.