rígido
“rígido” means “stiff” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
stiff, rigid
Also: hard
📝 In Action
El plástico se vuelve rígido cuando se enfría.
B1The plastic becomes rigid when it cools down.
Me desperté con el cuello muy rígido.
B1I woke up with a very stiff neck.
El soporte debe ser rígido para aguantar el peso.
B2The support must be rigid to hold the weight.
strict, inflexible
Also: rigorous
📝 In Action
Mi jefe tiene un horario muy rígido.
B2My boss has a very rigid schedule.
Las normas de la escuela son muy rígidas.
B2The school rules are very strict.
No seas tan rígido, a veces hay que improvisar.
C1Don't be so inflexible; sometimes you have to improvise.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: rígido
Question 1 of 3
If you have a 'cuello rígido', what is wrong?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'rigidus' meaning stiff, numb, or hard, which comes from the verb 'rigere' (to be stiff).
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'rígido' always a bad thing?
Not necessarily. While it can mean someone is 'inflexible' (negative), it is also used positively for 'solid support' in construction or 'disciplined' structures.
What's the difference between 'rígido' and 'tieso'?
'Rígido' sounds slightly more formal or scientific. 'Tieso' is often used for things that are physically stuck or standing straight, like 'standing stiff as a board'.
Can I use 'rígido' for a cold temperature?
No. Use 'frío' or 'gélido'. While 'rígido' comes from a root meaning 'frozen stiff', it doesn't describe the temperature itself in modern Spanish.