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precario

pre-KAH-ryoh/pɾeˈkaɾjo/

“precario” means “unstable” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

unstable

Also: precarious, shaky
A precarious stack of wooden blocks leaning to one side on a flat surface.

📝 In Action

Muchos jóvenes tienen contratos precarios hoy en día.

B1

Many young people have unstable contracts nowadays.

El equilibrio de la empresa es muy precario.

B2

The company's balance is very shaky.

Su situación legal en el país es precaria.

C1

His legal situation in the country is precarious.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • empleo precario – unstable job
  • equilibrio precario – precarious balance

poor

Also: scant, inadequate
A simple wooden chair with a broken leg and cracked seat.

📝 In Action

Viven en condiciones precarias sin agua corriente.

B2

They live in poor conditions without running water.

Su salud es precaria desde el accidente.

C1

His health has been poor/fragile since the accident.

Los medios económicos del hospital son precarios.

C1

The hospital's financial resources are meager.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • condiciones precarias – poor conditions
  • salud precaria – failing health

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar en precario – to have no legal title to something or to be in a very unstable state

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "precario" in Spanish:

inadequate→poor→precarious→scant→shaky→unstable→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: precario

Question 1 of 3

Which phrase describes someone with a job that might end tomorrow?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
precariedad(instability / lack of resources) — Noun
precarizar(to make something more unstable (usually work)) — Verb
precarización(the process of becoming unstable) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'precarius,' which originally meant something obtained by prayer or asking nicely, meaning it wasn't yours by right and could be taken away at any time.

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: precariousFrench: précaire

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'precario' only mean poor?

Not exactly. While it can mean poor, it specifically adds the idea that the situation is unstable and could fall apart at any moment.

Is 'precario' a formal word?

It is neutral. You will see it in serious news reports, but it is also used in everyday conversation to describe a difficult situation.

Can I use it to describe a person?

Usually you describe a person's situation (salud, trabajo, economía) rather than calling the person 'precario' directly.