indefenso
“indefenso” means “defenseless” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
defenseless, helpless
Also: unprotected, vulnerable
📝 In Action
El pequeño gatito se veía muy indefenso en medio de la tormenta.
A2The little kitten looked very helpless in the middle of the storm.
Sin sus herramientas, el mecánico se sentía indefenso ante el motor roto.
B1Without his tools, the mechanic felt defenseless before the broken engine.
Las leyes actuales dejan a los consumidores indefensos ante los grandes bancos.
B2Current laws leave consumers defenseless against big banks.
the defenseless
Also: the helpless
📝 In Action
Nuestra misión es proteger a los indefensos.
B1Our mission is to protect the defenseless.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: indefenso
Question 1 of 3
If a city has no walls and no soldiers, how would you describe it?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'indefensus'. This is made of 'in-' (meaning 'not') and 'defensus' (meaning 'defended'). It basically describes someone who doesn't have a shield or protection.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'indefenso' for a broken car?
Technically yes, if you want to be poetic, but it is almost always used for living beings (people, animals) or groups that can be 'attacked' or 'hurt'.
Is 'indefenso' the same as 'débil' (weak)?
Not exactly. 'Débil' means lacking strength. 'Indefenso' specifically means having no protection or way to stop an attack. A strong person can still be 'indefenso' if they are caught without their equipment or in a bad legal position.
What is the opposite of 'indefenso'?
The most common opposites are 'protegido' (protected) or 'armado' (armed/prepared).