Inklingo
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desesperado

/des-es-peh-RAH-doh/

desperate

A storybook illustration of a small person sitting alone on the ground with their head buried in their knees, symbolizing extreme hopelessness.

When someone is feeling extreme hopelessness, they are desesperado.

desesperado(adjective)

mB1

desperate

?

feeling extreme hopelessness

,

hopeless

?

without hope

Also:

in despair

?

describing an emotional state

📝 In Action

Estaba tan desesperado que no sabía qué hacer.

B1

He was so desperate that he didn't know what to do.

La madre se sentía desesperada buscando a su hijo perdido.

B2

The mother felt desperate looking for her lost son.

Parecía desesperada por conseguir el trabajo.

B1

She looked frantic (or desperate) to get the job.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • abatido (dejected)
  • angustiado (distressed)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • estar desesperado – to be desperate
  • mirada desesperada – desperate look

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective Agreement

Since 'desesperado' is an adjective, its ending must match the noun it describes: 'desesperado' (masculine singular), 'desesperada' (feminine singular), 'desesperados' (masculine plural), and 'desesperadas' (feminine plural).

Origin as a Past Participle

This word is the past participle of the verb 'desesperar' (to despair). When used with 'estar' (to be, in a state), it describes the emotional state resulting from having lost hope.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: "Soy desesperado."

Correction: Estoy desesperado. Use 'estar' because desperation is a temporary emotional state, not an inherent quality (which would use 'ser').

⭐ Usage Tips

Intensifying the Feeling

You can strengthen the feeling of desperation by adding 'muy' (very) or 'completamente' (completely): 'Estoy muy desesperado.'

A storybook illustration showing a person straining intensely, reaching desperately with their fingers extended toward a key that is just beyond their grasp.

An action or attempt characterized by extreme need or urgency is also described as desesperado.

desesperado(adjective)

mB2

desperate

?

describing an action or attempt

,

frantic

?

describing hurried activity

Also:

last-ditch

?

as in a final, desperate effort

📝 In Action

Tomaron una decisión desesperada para salvar el negocio.

B2

They made a desperate decision to save the business.

Fue un intento desesperado por contactar con la policía.

B2

It was a frantic attempt to contact the police.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • medida desesperada – desperate measure
  • acto desesperado – desperate act

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing Situations

This meaning often appears before or after nouns describing plans, actions, or situations that are risky or extreme due to a lack of better options.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: desesperado

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses the feminine plural form of 'desesperado'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

desesperar(to despair) - verb
desesperación(despair, hopelessness) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'desesperado' and 'desesperación'?

'Desesperado' is an adjective, meaning 'desperate' or 'hopeless' (describing a person or thing). 'Desesperación' is the noun, meaning 'despair' or 'hopelessness' (the feeling itself).

Can I use 'desesperado' to mean 'annoyed' or 'frustrated'?

While it can sometimes translate to 'frantic,' 'desesperado' implies a much deeper loss of hope or extreme distress. For simple annoyance or frustration, use words like 'frustrado' or 'molesto'.