Inklingo
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incómodo

/een-KOH-moh-doh/

uncomfortable

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

Being physically incómodo means feeling uncomfortable, perhaps like sitting on something hard or bumpy.

incómodo(adjective)

mA2

uncomfortable

?

physical feeling or object

Also:

inconvenient

?

referring to a situation or task

📝 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

💡 Grammar Points

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'incómodo' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use -o for masculine singular (el sillón incómodo), -a for feminine singular (la silla incómoda), -os for masculine plural, and -as for feminine plural.

⭐ Usage Tips

Physical Discomfort

Use 'incómodo' with the verb 'ser' (to be) when describing something that is always uncomfortable, like a bad chair ('La silla es incómoda'). Use 'estar' when describing a temporary state, like feeling unwell ('Estoy incómodo con este calor').

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.

When a social interaction is tense or embarrassing, the situation is incómodo (awkward).

incómodo(adjective)

mB1

awkward

?

social/emotional situation or feeling

,

uneasy

?

emotional state

Also:

embarrassing

?

describing a difficult situation

📝 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

  • embarazoso (embarrassing)
  • tenso (tense)

Antonyms

  • relajado (relaxed)

Common Collocations

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

💡 Grammar Points

Feeling Awkward

When you want to say that you feel awkward or uneasy, always use the verb ESTAR: 'Estoy incómodo' (I am feeling awkward). You are describing your temporary state.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Ser' for Feelings

Mistake: "Soy incómodo."

Correction: Estoy incómodo. The mistake makes it sound like you are an inherently awkward person (part of your personality), instead of feeling awkward right now.

✏️ 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

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.