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incómodo

een-KOH-moh-dohinˈko.mo.ðo

“incómodo” means “uncomfortable” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

uncomfortable

Also: inconvenient
A small child wincing and fidgeting while sitting uncomfortably on a large, jagged rock.

📝 In Action

Este colchón es muy incómodo; no dormí bien.

A2

This mattress is very uncomfortable; I didn't sleep well.

La posición para pintar el techo era incómoda.

B1

The position for painting the ceiling was awkward/uncomfortable.

Viajar sin aire acondicionado en verano es incómodo.

A2

Traveling without air conditioning in summer is uncomfortable.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • cómodo (comfortable)

Common Collocations

  • ropa incómoda – uncomfortable clothes
  • situación incómoda – inconvenient situation

awkward, uneasy

Also: embarrassing
Two cartoonish adults standing very close together in a quiet room, both looking away from each other with visibly awkward and tense expressions, signifying a social discomfort.

📝 In Action

Hubo un silencio incómodo después de que se fue.

B1

There was an awkward silence after she left.

Me sentí muy incómoda cuando me hicieron esa pregunta personal.

B1

I felt very uneasy/awkward when they asked me that personal question.

Tuve que darle la noticia, fue un momento incómodo.

B2

I had to give him the news; it was an awkward moment.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • situación incómoda – awkward situation
  • pregunta incómoda – awkward question

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "incómodo" in Spanish:

uncomfortable→uneasy→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: incómodo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'incómodo' to describe an emotional state, not a physical object?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cómodo(comfortable) — Adjective
comodidad(comfort) — Noun
incómodamente(uncomfortably) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
cómodomodo
📚 Etymology▼

This word comes from the Latin prefix 'in-' meaning 'not,' combined with the word 'commodus,' which meant 'fitting, suitable, or convenient.' So, the word literally means 'not suitable' or 'not convenient,' which evolved into 'uncomfortable' in modern Spanish.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: incomodoPortuguese: incômodo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use 'ser' or 'estar' with 'incómodo'?

Both are correct, but they mean different things! Use 'SER' (Es incómodo) to describe something that is inherently uncomfortable (like a bad chair). Use 'ESTAR' (Estoy incómodo) to describe a temporary feeling of being uneasy, awkward, or physically uncomfortable right now.