legítimo
leh-HEE-tee-moh
📝 In Action
Esta es una pintura legítima de Dalí.
B1This is a genuine painting by Dalí.
Tienes un motivo legítimo para estar enojado.
B1You have a legitimate reason to be angry.
Él es el heredero legítimo de la fortuna.
B2He is the lawful heir to the fortune.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Word You're Describing
Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to match the noun. Use 'legítimo' for masculine things (el oro legítimo) and 'legítima' for feminine things (la duda legítima).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Legítimo vs. Legal
Mistake: "Using 'legal' when you mean something is authentic or 'the real deal'."
Correction: Use 'legítimo' for authenticity. While 'legal' means it follows the law, 'legítimo' often implies it is genuine or rightfully deserved.
⭐ Usage Tips
Proving it's Real
In many Spanish-speaking markets, vendors might use 'legítimo' to swear their products are made of real materials, like 'cuero legítimo' (genuine leather).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: legítimo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'legítimo' to mean 'genuine' or 'authentic'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'legítimo' for people?
Yes, but usually in a formal or legal sense, such as 'el heredero legítimo' (the rightful heir) or 'mi legítima esposa' (my lawful wife).
What is 'defensa legítima'?
It is the legal term for 'self-defense.' It describes using force that is justified because you were protecting yourself.