involuntario
“involuntario” means “unintentional” in Spanish (done without wanting to).
unintentional
Also: accidental, involuntary
📝 In Action
Fue un error involuntario, no quería lastimarte.
A2It was an unintentional mistake, I didn't want to hurt you.
La respiración es un proceso involuntario del cuerpo.
B1Breathing is an involuntary process of the body.
El testigo tuvo un gesto involuntario de miedo.
B2The witness had an involuntary gesture of fear.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: involuntario
Question 1 of 3
Which of these is an 'error involuntario'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'involuntarius', combining 'in-' (not) and 'voluntas' (will/wish). Essentially, it means doing something without your 'will' being involved.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'involuntario' to apologize?
Yes! You can say 'Fue involuntario' to mean 'I didn't do it on purpose.' It's a slightly more formal but very effective way to excuse an accident.
Is it the same as 'accidental'?
Very similar! 'Accidental' focuses on the event itself being a surprise, while 'involuntario' focuses on the fact that your mind/will didn't choose to do it.
How do I say 'manslaughter' in Spanish?
In legal terms, it is often called 'homicidio involuntario' because the person didn't have the intention to kill.