desierto
/deh-SYEHR-toh/
desert
The noun desierto refers to a dry, barren geographical area like this desert landscape.
📝 In Action
El desierto de Atacama es muy seco.
A1The Atacama desert is very dry.
Viajamos en camello por el desierto.
A2We traveled by camel through the desert.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'desierto' is always a masculine word, so you must use 'el' before it.
When used as an adjective, desierto means empty of people, like this deserted playground.
📝 In Action
La playa estaba desierta después de la tormenta.
B1The beach was deserted after the storm.
El centro comercial está completamente desierto los domingos.
B1The shopping center is completely empty on Sundays.
Parece que el pueblo está desierto; no hay nadie en las calles.
B2It seems the town is deserted; there is no one in the streets.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'desierto' must match the thing it describes in gender and number: 'el parque desierto' (masculine singular), 'las calles desiertas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: "La casa estaba desierto."
Correction: La casa estaba desierta. (Since 'casa' is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Estar
This adjective is almost always used with the verb 'estar' (to be in a state or condition) to describe the temporary state of being empty or abandoned.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: desierto
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'desierto' as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know whether 'desierto' means the place or the state?
Look at the word that comes before it! If you see 'el' or 'un' (El desierto de Gobi), it's the noun (the place). If it follows a form of the verb 'ser' or 'estar' and changes its ending (la calle desierta), it's the adjective (the state of being empty).