How to Say "adopted" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “adopted” is “adoptado” — use 'adoptado' when referring to a male person or animal that has been adopted, or metaphorically for an idea that has been taken on..
adoptado
/ah-dop-tah-doh//aðopˈtaðo/
Examples
Mi perro es adoptado de un refugio.
My dog is adopted from a shelter.
Juan es un hijo adoptado.
Juan is an adopted son.
El plan adoptado por la empresa fue un éxito.
The plan adopted by the company was a success.
Matching with People
Since this word ends in '-o', it is used for males. If you are talking about a female, you must change it to 'adoptada'.
Using it as a Description
When describing a permanent state of a person, you usually use 'ser' (to be). For example: 'Él es adoptado'.
Confusing 'Adoptado' and 'Adoptivo'
Mistake: “Calling a parent 'padre adoptado'.”
Correction: Use 'padre adoptivo' for the parent who adopts, and 'hijo adoptado' for the child who is adopted.
adoptivo
/ah-dohp-TEE-boh//aðopˈtiβo/
Examples
Él quiere mucho a sus padres adoptivos.
He loves his adoptive parents very much.
Tengo un hermano adoptivo que nació en China.
I have an adopted brother who was born in China.
La familia adoptiva recibió al bebé con mucha alegría.
The adoptive family welcomed the baby with a lot of joy.
Madrid es mi ciudad adoptiva; vivo aquí hace diez años.
Madrid is my adopted city; I've lived here for ten years.
Matching Gender and Number
This word must change to match the person it describes. Use 'adoptivo' for a boy, 'adoptiva' for a girl, and add an 's' for more than one person.
Where to put the word
In Spanish, you usually place this word after the person you are talking about, like 'padre adoptivo' instead of 'adoptive father'.
Figurative Use
You can use this word for places, not just people. It shows a deep emotional connection to a place where you weren't born but now live.
Adoptivo vs. Adoptado
Mistake: “Calling a parent 'padre adoptado'.”
Correction: Use 'adoptivo' for the parents. 'Adoptado' is only for the person who was brought into the family (the child).
adoptivo
/ah-dohp-TEE-boh//aðopˈtiβo/
Examples
Madrid es mi ciudad adoptiva; vivo aquí hace diez años.
Madrid is my adopted city; I've lived here for ten years.
Él quiere mucho a sus padres adoptivos.
He loves his adoptive parents very much.
Tengo un hermano adoptivo que nació en China.
I have an adopted brother who was born in China.
La familia adoptiva recibió al bebé con mucha alegría.
The adoptive family welcomed the baby with a lot of joy.
Matching Gender and Number
This word must change to match the person it describes. Use 'adoptivo' for a boy, 'adoptiva' for a girl, and add an 's' for more than one person.
Where to put the word
In Spanish, you usually place this word after the person you are talking about, like 'padre adoptivo' instead of 'adoptive father'.
Figurative Use
You can use this word for places, not just people. It shows a deep emotional connection to a place where you weren't born but now live.
Adoptivo vs. Adoptado
Mistake: “Calling a parent 'padre adoptado'.”
Correction: Use 'adoptivo' for the parents. 'Adoptado' is only for the person who was brought into the family (the child).
Adoptado vs. Adoptivo
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