innecesario
“innecesario” means “unnecessary” in Spanish (general use).
unnecessary
Also: needless, redundant
📝 In Action
No compres ese abrigo, es innecesario.
A1Don't buy that coat, it's unnecessary.
Llevar comida a la fiesta fue innecesario porque ya había mucha.
A2Bringing food to the party was needless because there was already a lot.
Queremos evitar cualquier riesgo innecesario durante el viaje.
B1We want to avoid any unnecessary risk during the trip.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: innecesario
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'unnecessary expenses' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin prefix 'in-' (meaning 'not') combined with 'necessarius' (meaning 'unavoidable' or 'urgent').
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'innecesario' more formal than 'no es necesario'?
Slightly. While 'no es necesario' (it's not necessary) is very common in speech, 'es innecesario' (it's unnecessary) sounds a bit more precise and elegant.
Does it have two N's?
Yes! Just like 'innovar' or 'innato'. The 'in-' prefix and the 'necesario' root both contribute an 'n'.
Can I use it for people?
Generally, no. We use it for things, actions, or situations. Calling a person 'innecesario' would be very confusing or highly insulting.