parado
/pah-RAH-doh/
standing
When used as an adjective, 'parado' can mean standing, referring to being on one's feet.
📝 In Action
Estuvo parado en la esquina esperando el autobús.
A1He was standing on the corner waiting for the bus.
El coche se quedó parado en medio de la carretera.
A2The car was left stopped in the middle of the road.
💡 Grammar Points
Use with 'Estar'
When 'parado' describes a temporary state (like someone standing up right now), you almost always use the verb 'estar'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Parado' and 'De Pie'
Mistake: "Using 'parado' only when meaning 'standing' (like standing up)."
Correction: 'De pie' specifically means 'on one's feet.' 'Parado' can mean 'standing' OR 'stopped.' If you want to emphasize the upright position, use 'de pie'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Check
If you can replace 'parado' with 'stopped,' you are using the word correctly in Spanish, even when talking about a person.
When describing a person without a job, 'parado' means unemployed.
📝 In Action
La tasa de gente parada subió este mes.
B1The rate of unemployed people rose this month.
Mi hermano lleva seis meses parado.
B2My brother has been unemployed for six months.
💡 Grammar Points
Noun Use
You can use 'parado' as a noun to mean 'an unemployed person': 'Es un parado más' (He is another unemployed person).
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Preference
In Spain, 'parado' is often the preferred, natural way to say 'unemployed,' while 'desempleado' is more formal or common in Latin America.
As a past participle, 'parado' means stopped, often used with 'haber' to form perfect tenses.
parado(Past Participle)
stopped
?used after 'haber' to form perfect tenses
halted
?in passive constructions
📝 In Action
Hemos parado en la gasolinera para llenar el tanque.
A2We have stopped at the gas station to fill the tank.
El tren había parado justo antes de la estación.
B1The train had stopped just before the station.
💡 Grammar Points
Forming Perfect Tenses
To talk about actions that are finished or have happened recently, combine the verb 'haber' (to have) with 'parado'. Example: 'He parado' (I have stopped).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Participle Agreement
Mistake: "Making 'parado' agree with the subject when using 'haber' (e.g., 'Hemos parados')."
Correction: When used with 'haber' (I have, you have), the ending is always '-o': 'Hemos parado' (We have stopped). Only make it agree when used with 'ser' or 'estar' (like in Definition 1).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: parado
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'parado' to mean 'unemployed'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'parado' sometimes mean 'unemployed'?
This meaning comes from the idea of being 'stopped' or 'halted' in one's work or career. It's like a machine that has stopped running. This usage is especially common in Spain.
Should I use 'parado' or 'de pie' when talking about standing up?
'De pie' is the clearest way to say 'on one's feet' or 'upright.' 'Parado' is better when describing something (or someone) that is stationary or not moving, often because an action has stopped.