How to Say "chosen" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “chosen” is “elegido” — use 'elegido' when something or someone has been selected or picked out from a larger group, like a color, an item, or a person for a task. It's the most general term for 'chosen'..
elegido
/eh-leh-HEE-doh//eleˈxido/
Examples
El libro elegido para el club de lectura es una novela histórica.
The book chosen for the book club is a historical novel.
El color elegido para la pintura es el azul claro.
The chosen color for the paint is light blue.
El nuevo presidente elegido tomará posesión mañana.
The new elected president will take office tomorrow.
Ya hemos elegido dónde vamos a cenar esta noche.
We have already chosen where we are going to eat tonight.
Making it Match
As an adjective, 'elegido' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. If the thing is feminine, use 'elegida'; if it is plural, use 'elegidos' or 'elegidas'.
The 'Have Chosen' Structure
'Elegido' is the past participle of the verb 'elegir' (to choose). You use it with the verb 'haber' (to have) to talk about actions that are complete now: 'He elegido' (I have chosen).
Passive Actions
When used with the verb 'ser' (to be), it shows who received the action: 'El libro fue elegido' (The book was chosen). In this case, it must match the thing (elegido/elegida/elegidos/elegidas).
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: “La opción elegido.”
Correction: La opción elegida. (The word 'opción' is feminine, so the adjective must also be feminine.)
Using 'Estar' for Compound Tenses
Mistake: “Yo estoy elegido la ruta.”
Correction: Yo he elegido la ruta. (Only use 'haber' to form the 'have done' tenses in Spanish.)
elegido
/eh-leh-HEE-doh//eleˈxido/
Examples
Hemos elegido un restaurante nuevo para celebrar.
We have chosen a new restaurant to celebrate.
El color elegido para la pintura es el azul claro.
The chosen color for the paint is light blue.
El nuevo presidente elegido tomará posesión mañana.
The new elected president will take office tomorrow.
Ya hemos elegido dónde vamos a cenar esta noche.
We have already chosen where we are going to eat tonight.
Making it Match
As an adjective, 'elegido' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. If the thing is feminine, use 'elegida'; if it is plural, use 'elegidos' or 'elegidas'.
The 'Have Chosen' Structure
'Elegido' is the past participle of the verb 'elegir' (to choose). You use it with the verb 'haber' (to have) to talk about actions that are complete now: 'He elegido' (I have chosen).
Passive Actions
When used with the verb 'ser' (to be), it shows who received the action: 'El libro fue elegido' (The book was chosen). In this case, it must match the thing (elegido/elegida/elegidos/elegidas).
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: “La opción elegido.”
Correction: La opción elegida. (The word 'opción' is feminine, so the adjective must also be feminine.)
Using 'Estar' for Compound Tenses
Mistake: “Yo estoy elegido la ruta.”
Correction: Yo he elegido la ruta. (Only use 'haber' to form the 'have done' tenses in Spanish.)
seleccionado
/seh-lek-syon-AH-doh//seleksjoˈnaðo/
Examples
Los jugadores seleccionados para el equipo nacional entrenarán mañana.
The players selected for the national team will train tomorrow.
El grupo seleccionado para el viaje es muy pequeño.
The group selected for the trip is very small.
He guardado los archivos seleccionados en una carpeta.
I have saved the selected files in a folder.
Solo los mejores ingredientes han sido seleccionados.
Only the best ingredients have been selected.
Matching Gender and Number
This word changes its ending to match what it describes. Use 'seleccionado' for one boy/masculine thing, 'seleccionada' for one girl/feminine thing, and add an 's' for plurals.
Confusing 'Select' with 'Selected'
Mistake: “Un selecto grupo.”
Correction: Un grupo seleccionado.
electo
/eh-LEK-toh//eˈlekto/
Examples
La presidenta electa asumirá el cargo el próximo mes.
The president-elect will take office next month.
El presidente electo dará su primer discurso esta noche.
The president-elect will give his first speech tonight.
Ella es la primera mujer electa para este cargo en la ciudad.
She is the first woman elected to this position in the city.
Los representantes electos deben representar la voluntad del pueblo.
The elected representatives must represent the will of the people.
The 'Electo' vs. 'Elegido' Rule
Spanish has two words for 'elected.' Use 'electo' only as a description (the president elect). Use 'elegido' when talking about the action (they have elected the president).
Gender and Number Match
Since this is a description word, it must match the person. Use 'electo' for a man, 'electa' for a woman, and 'electos' or 'electas' for groups.
Don't use with 'Haber'
Mistake: “Hemos electo un nuevo jefe.”
Correction: Hemos elegido un nuevo jefe. (Use 'elegido' when following 'have' or 'has' to describe an action that happened).
adoptado
/ah-dop-tah-doh//aðopˈtaðo/
Examples
Nuestra familia decidió tener un gato adoptado del refugio.
Our family decided to have an adopted cat from the shelter.
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.
General vs. Specific Selection
Related Translations
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