misterioso
“misterioso” means “mysterious” in Spanish (unexplained or puzzling).
mysterious, secretive
Also: puzzling, cryptic
📝 In Action
El detective investiga la desaparición misteriosa del joyero.
B1The detective is investigating the mysterious disappearance of the jeweler.
Hay algo misterioso en el bosque que nadie se atreve a explorar.
A2There is something mysterious in the forest that no one dares to explore.
Su comportamiento misterioso me hace pensar que esconde algo importante.
B2His secretive behavior makes me think that he is hiding something important.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: misterioso
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses the adjective 'misterioso'?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *mysteriōsus*, which itself is based on the Greek word *mystḗrion*, meaning 'a secret rite' or 'secret thing.' The Spanish word has kept that core idea of something hidden or unexplained.
First recorded: Mid-15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'misterioso' and 'secreto'?
'Misterioso' means something is puzzling, unexplained, or hard to figure out (like a mystery novel). 'Secreto' simply means something is intentionally hidden or kept from others (like a secret code). A secret can be mysterious, but not all mysterious things are intentional secrets.
How do I change 'misterioso' to describe a group of people?
If the group is mixed gender or all male, use the plural masculine form: 'unos hombres misteriosos'. If the group is all female, use the plural feminine form: 'unas mujeres misteriosas'.