firmado
/fir-MAH-do/
signed
When something is firmado, it is signed, meaning it bears a signature.
📝 In Action
Necesito una copia del documento firmado.
A2I need a copy of the signed document.
La camiseta autografiada estaba firmada por todo el equipo.
B1The autographed shirt was signed by the whole team.
💡 Grammar Points
Changing the Form
Since 'firmado' is an adjective, it must match the gender and number of the noun it describes: 'el acuerdo firmado' (masculine singular), 'la carta firmada' (feminine singular), 'los papeles firmados' (masculine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Agreement Error
Mistake: "La carta está firmado."
Correction: La carta está firmada. (The adjective must end in -a because 'carta' is feminine.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing the State
Use 'estar firmado' (to be signed) to talk about the current condition or state of a document, not the action itself.
As a past participle, firmado refers to the completed action of having signed something.
📝 In Action
Ya hemos firmado la hipoteca.
A1We have already signed the mortgage.
¿Habías firmado el recibo antes de irte?
B1Had you signed the receipt before leaving?
💡 Grammar Points
Creating Compound Actions
'Firmado' is the special form of the verb 'firmar' that combines with the verb 'haber' (to have) to describe actions completed in the past, like 'He firmado' (I have signed).
Participle Rule
When used with 'haber' to form compound tenses, 'firmado' never changes its form; it always stays masculine singular (-o), regardless of who did the signing or what was signed.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Changing Form with 'Haber'
Mistake: "Hemos firmadas las cartas."
Correction: Hemos firmado las cartas. (The participle 'firmado' never changes when used with 'haber'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Passive Voice
This form is also used with 'ser' (to be) to create the passive voice, describing an action done by someone else: 'La carta fue firmada por el jefe' (The letter was signed by the boss).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: firmado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'firmado' correctly as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'firmado' ever change its ending?
Yes, it depends on how you use it! If you use it as an adjective (like 'signed document'), it must change to match the noun (firmada, firmados, firmadas). If you use it with 'haber' (I have signed), it always stays 'firmado' and never changes.
What is the difference between 'ser firmado' and 'estar firmado'?
'Ser firmado' is used for the passive voice, focusing on the action itself ('The contract was signed'). 'Estar firmado' is used to describe the result or state ('The contract is signed'—it's in a signed condition right now).