desnudo
/des-NOO-doh/
naked
As an adjective, desnudo means naked, referring to being without clothing.
desnudo(adjective)
naked
?without clothing
,bare
?uncovered or exposed
unadorned
?lacking decoration
📝 In Action
Estaba tan caliente que el bebé dormía desnudo.
A2It was so hot that the baby slept naked.
Los árboles están desnudos en invierno, sin hojas.
B1The trees are bare in winter, without leaves.
El suelo desnudo del estudio era de cemento pulido.
B1The bare floor of the studio was polished concrete.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
As an adjective, 'desnudo' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. It can be: desnudo (masculine singular), desnuda (feminine singular), desnudos (masculine plural), or desnudas (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Barefoot vs. Naked
Mistake: "Using 'desnudo' when you mean 'barefoot' (descalzo)."
Correction: If someone is only missing shoes, use 'descalzo'. 'Desnudo' means without clothes entirely (or mostly).
⭐ Usage Tips
Beyond Clothing
You can use 'desnudo' metaphorically for things that are plain, exposed, or lack protection, like 'la verdad desnuda' (the naked truth).
As a noun, desnudo refers to a piece of art, such as a painting or sculpture, that represents a nude figure.
📝 In Action
La galería de arte inauguró una exposición de desnudos.
B1The art gallery opened an exhibition of nudes.
El artista hizo un boceto rápido de un desnudo.
B2The artist made a quick sketch of a nude.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
When used as a noun referring to a piece of art (a 'nude'), it is always masculine: 'el desnudo', regardless of whether the subject is male or female.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
Using 'desnudo' as a noun is usually more formal or artistic. In casual conversation, you'll more often hear the adjective form (e.g., 'una persona desnuda').
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: desnudo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'desnudo' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'desnudo' y 'descalzo'?
La diferencia es el área del cuerpo. 'Desnudo' significa sin ropa en general. 'Descalzo' (barefoot) significa específicamente sin zapatos ni calcetines.
Is 'desnudo' used figuratively, like 'exposed' in English?
Yes, absolutely. You can use it to describe something lacking defenses or covering, like 'el suelo desnudo' (the bare floor) or 'la verdad desnuda' (the naked truth, meaning the plain truth).