sordo
/SOR-doh/
deaf
Sordo, meaning 'deaf,' refers to being unable to hear.
sordo(Adjective)
deaf
?unable to hear
hearing-impaired
?polite usage
,a deaf person
?when used as a noun, e.g., 'el sordo'
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo es sordo de nacimiento y utiliza lengua de señas.
A2My grandfather is deaf from birth and uses sign language.
La mujer sorda nos explicó cómo funcionaba el sistema.
A2The deaf woman explained to us how the system worked.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Flexibility
As an adjective, 'sordo' must match the person it describes: 'el niño sordo' (masculine) and 'la niña sorda' (feminine).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Sordo' for Hearing Loss
Mistake: "Sometimes learners use 'sordo' when they mean 'hard of hearing' (hipoacúsico)."
Correction: 'Sordo' usually implies complete or near-complete deafness. For partial hearing loss, 'tiene un poco de sordera' is better.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using as a Noun
You can use 'el sordo' or 'la sorda' as a noun meaning 'the deaf person.' While common, sometimes 'persona sorda' is preferred for politeness.
When describing a sound, sordo means 'muffled,' or indistinct.
📝 In Action
Se oyó un golpe sordo cuando la caja cayó al suelo.
B1A dull thud was heard when the box fell to the floor.
La música sonaba sorda a través de la pared gruesa.
B2The music sounded muffled through the thick wall.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Sound Quality
When applied to sound, 'sordo' means the noise is low, deep, and lacks resonance. Think of a sound being absorbed, like hitting wood instead of metal.
Sordo can also be used figuratively to mean 'oblivious' or unresponsive to warnings or pleas.
📝 In Action
El director se mantuvo sordo a nuestras peticiones de un aumento.
C1The director remained unresponsive (or played deaf) to our requests for a raise.
Aunque le grité, se hizo el sordo y siguió caminando.
B2Even though I shouted at him, he pretended to be deaf and kept walking.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the Idiom
The expression 'hacerse el sordo' is the most common way to use 'sordo' figuratively. It means someone is choosing to ignore you, not that they literally cannot hear.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: sordo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'sordo' in its figurative sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'sordo' only apply to people?
No. While its main use is describing a person who cannot hear, it is very common to use 'sordo' to describe sounds or noises that are dull, muted, or muffled, especially if they are deep or lack clarity.