Inklingo

How to Say "altered" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cambiado

kam-bya-dokamˈbjado

adjectiveB1general
Use this when referring to a noticeable modification in someone's appearance or a general, less formal change to something.
A single, charming, small house painted bright yellow with a red roof, next to a faint, dull gray outline of the exact same house structure, symbolizing its current changed state.

Examples

Te veo muy cambiado, ¿hiciste ejercicio?

You look very different (changed), have you been working out?

Es un hombre cambiado desde que se casó.

He's a changed man since he got married.

La ciudad está muy cambiada, no la reconozco.

The city is very changed, I don't recognize it.

Making It Match

When used to describe something, cambiado must match what it's describing. Use cambiado for masculine things, cambiada for feminine, cambiados for masculine plural, and cambiadas for feminine plural.

Forgetting to Match

Mistake: “Las reglas están muy cambiado.”

Correction: Las reglas están muy cambiadas. Since 'reglas' (rules) is feminine and plural, the word describing it must also be feminine and plural.

alterado

al-te-RAH-dohalteˈɾaðo

adjectiveB2general
This is the most direct translation for 'altered' when referring to something that has been officially changed, especially plans, schedules, or documents.
A bright green apple that has been painted with blue stripes.

Examples

El horario de clases ha sido alterado.

The class schedule has been altered.

El orden de los nombres fue alterado por error.

The order of the names was modified by mistake.

perturbado

per-toor-BAH-thopeɾtuɾˈβaðo

adjectiveC1formal
Choose this when a natural state, order, or peace has been disturbed or disrupted, often by external forces.
A neat row of red apples with one single apple knocked over and rolling away.

Examples

El orden público fue perturbado por los manifestantes.

Public order was disrupted by the protesters.

El ecosistema perturbado tardará años en recuperarse.

The disrupted ecosystem will take years to recover.

Past Participle as Adjective

This word comes from the verb 'perturbar'. When we use the '-ado' form as a description, it acts just like an adjective.

Choosing between 'cambiado' and 'alterado'

Learners often confuse 'cambiado' and 'alterado'. Remember that 'cambiado' is more about general modification or a change in appearance, while 'alterado' is typically used for more formal changes to plans, schedules, or official matters.

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