inconveniente
/een-kon-be-nyen-te/
problem
Un inconveniente: A large boulder acts as a physical obstacle or problem on a path.
inconveniente(noun)
problem
?a difficulty or obstacle
,drawback
?a disadvantage
objection
?a reason for disagreeing
,hitch
?a minor annoyance
📝 In Action
¿Tienes algún inconveniente en que nos reunamos mañana?
B1Do you have any problem with us meeting tomorrow?
El único inconveniente del hotel es que está lejos del centro.
A2The only drawback of the hotel is that it is far from the center.
Hubo un pequeño inconveniente con el sistema de pagos.
B1There was a small hitch with the payment system.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'en que'
When you follow this word with an action, use 'en que' followed by a special verb form (the subjunctive) to express doubt or requests, like 'inconveniente en que vengas'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Don't just use 'problema'
Mistake: "Using 'problema' for everything."
Correction: Use 'inconveniente' to sound more polite and sophisticated, especially in business or with strangers.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Polite 'No'
Starting a sentence with 'El inconveniente es...' is a very soft and polite way to say 'no' or to point out a flaw without being rude.
Inconveniente: An oversized umbrella is inconvenient and not suitable for a small person's needs.
inconveniente(adjective)
inconvenient
?not suitable for needs or purposes
,unsuitable
?not fitting the occasion
inappropriate
?socially or practically wrong
📝 In Action
Llamaste en un momento muy inconveniente.
B2You called at a very inconvenient time.
Ese comentario fue un poco inconveniente dada la situación.
C1That comment was a bit inappropriate given the situation.
💡 Grammar Points
One form for both
This word stays the same whether you are describing a masculine or feminine thing (it always ends in 'e').
⭐ Usage Tips
Timing matters
Use this specifically to talk about bad timing or things that are 'out of place' for the current social setting.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: inconveniente
Question 1 of 1
Which of these is the most polite way to tell a boss that a meeting time doesn't work?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'inconveniente' mean 'disadvantage'?
Yes! When comparing two things, you can use 'ventajas' (advantages) and 'inconvenientes' (disadvantages).
Is it used more as a noun or an adjective?
In daily conversation, it's most commonly used as a noun meaning 'problem' or 'drawback'.