down
“down” means “Down” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
Down
Also: trisomía 21
📝 In Action
Su hermano tiene síndrome de Down.
A2His brother has Down syndrome.
Existen muchas asociaciones de apoyo para personas con Down.
B1There are many support associations for people with Down syndrome.
Es una escuela inclusiva con alumnos Down.
B2It is an inclusive school with students who have Down syndrome.
triste, desanimado
Also: bajón
📝 In Action
Hoy me siento un poco down.
B1I feel a bit down today.
No estés down, todo se va a arreglar.
B1Don't be down, everything is going to be okay.
Esa película me puso muy down.
B2That movie made me feel very down.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: down
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is the correct way to say 'He has Down syndrome'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who first described the medical condition in 1866. The emotional use is a direct modern loan from English.
First recorded: 19th century (medical usage)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'down' a 'real' Spanish word?
It is a recognized loanword for the medical syndrome. As a word for 'sad', it is considered an Anglicism (a word borrowed from English) and is informal.
Should I capitalize 'down'?
Yes, when referring to the syndrome, because it is named after Dr. Down. When using it as slang for 'sad', it is usually written in lowercase.
Do people in all Spanish-speaking countries understand 'sentirse down'?
Most young people and those familiar with English will understand it, but older generations may not. It is safest to use 'triste' if you want to be sure.