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educado

eh-doo-KAH-doh/eðuˈkaðo/

“educado” means “polite” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

polite, well-mannered

Also: courteous
A young boy politely bows slightly while presenting a single red flower to an adult woman.

📝 In Action

Mi hijo es muy educado, siempre saluda a los vecinos.

A1

My son is very polite; he always greets the neighbors.

Ella es educada y sabe cómo comportarse en la mesa.

A2

She is well-mannered and knows how to behave at the table.

Pide las cosas 'por favor' y 'gracias'; es la forma de ser educado.

A2

Ask for things using 'please' and 'thank you'; that's the way to be polite.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • maleducado (rude, ill-mannered)
  • grosero (rude, crude)

Common Collocations

  • ser muy educado – to be very polite
  • persona educada – polite person

educated, schooled

Also: trained
AdjectivemB1neutral/formal
A smiling figure wearing a blue graduation cap and gown holds a rolled-up diploma scroll.

📝 In Action

Es un médico educado en la Universidad de Salamanca.

B1

He is a doctor educated at the University of Salamanca.

Necesitas un oído educado para distinguir esa nota musical.

B2

You need a trained ear to distinguish that musical note.

Ella era una mujer educada, con grandes conocimientos de historia.

B2

She was an educated woman, with great knowledge of history.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • instruido (learned, instructed)
  • culto (cultured, educated)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • profesional educado – educated professional

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: educado

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'educado' to mean 'having good manners'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
educar(to educate, to raise) — Verb
educación(education, manners) — Noun
maleducado(rude, ill-mannered) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin verb *educāre*, meaning 'to rear, to bring up, to train.' This explains why the Spanish word covers both manners (being well-raised) and schooling (being well-trained).

First recorded: 13th century (in similar forms)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: educadoItalian: educato

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I avoid confusing 'educado' (polite) with the English word 'educated'?

Remember that 'educado' is primarily about manners and good behavior. If you want to talk about academic background, use 'instruido' or 'con estudios' to be perfectly clear. Think: 'A person who is 'bien educado' (well-raised) is polite.'

Does 'educado' always mean 'polite'?

No, it depends on the context. If you are describing a doctor or a professional, it usually means 'educated' (schooled). If you are describing a child or how someone behaves in public, it almost certainly means 'polite' or 'well-mannered'.