perdido
“perdido” means “lost” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
lostAlso: missing
📝 In Action
Creo que estamos perdidos. ¿Tienes un mapa?
A2I think we're lost. Do you have a map?
He buscado por todas partes, pero mi libro sigue perdido.
B1I've looked everywhere, but my book is still missing.
Word Connections
wastedAlso: missed
📝 In Action
Discutir sobre eso es tiempo perdido.
B1Arguing about that is wasted time.
Fue una oportunidad perdida para aprender algo nuevo.
B1It was a missed opportunity to learn something new.
Word Connections
hopelessAlso: a lost cause, ruined
📝 In Action
Intentar arreglar ese coche viejo es un caso perdido.
B2Trying to fix that old car is a lost cause.
Desde que dejó los estudios, sus padres piensan que es un chico perdido.
B2Since he dropped out of school, his parents think he's a lost cause.
Word Connections
head over heelsAlso: crazy about
📝 In Action
Está completamente perdido por su nueva novia.
C1He is completely head over heels for his new girlfriend.
Desde que la conoció, anda perdido de amor.
C1Since he met her, he's been lost in love.
Word Connections
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: perdido
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'perdido' to mean 'wasted'?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology
Comes from Latin 'perditus', which is the past participle of the verb 'perdere'. 'Perdere' meant 'to destroy' or 'to lose', combining 'per-' (through, to destruction) and 'dare' (to give). So, something 'perdido' is something that has been 'given over to destruction' or simply lost.
First recorded: Around the 10th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'ser perdido' and 'estar perdido'?
Great question! It's all about temporary vs. permanent. You use 'estar perdido' to say someone or something is physically lost, because that's a temporary state ('Estoy perdido en Madrid'). You use 'ser' in the specific phrase 'ser un caso perdido' to mean 'to be a lost cause', which is seen as a more permanent, defining characteristic.
Is 'perdido' always masculine?
No, it's an adjective, so it needs to match the thing it describes. If you're talking about a feminine noun, you use 'perdida'. For example, 'la llave perdida' (the lost key). If it's plural, you add an 's': 'los niños perdidos' (the lost children) or 'las llaves perdidas' (the lost keys).
Can I use 'perdido' as a noun?
Yes, but it's less common and can be a bit old-fashioned or literary. You might hear someone called 'un perdido', meaning a dissolute person or a scoundrel. However, focusing on its use as an adjective ('lost', 'wasted', 'hopeless') will be much more useful for everyday conversation.