Inklingo

How to Say "condemned" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “condemned” is “condenado” — use 'condenado' when referring to someone or something that has been officially sentenced or judged, often in a legal context, or when expressing strong disapproval..

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condenado

/kon-deh-NAH-doh//kon.deˈna.ðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'condenado' when referring to someone or something that has been officially sentenced or judged, often in a legal context, or when expressing strong disapproval.
A close-up view of a judge's wooden gavel resting on a sound block.

Examples

El hombre condenado apeló la sentencia.

The sentenced man appealed the verdict.

La prensa criticó el acto condenado por la opinión pública.

The press criticized the act condemned by public opinion.

Fue condenado a diez años de prisión.

He was sentenced to ten years in prison.

Agreement Rule

As an adjective, 'condenado' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'condenada' (feminine singular), 'condenados' (masculine plural), 'condenadas' (feminine plural).

Using the base form

Mistake: “El crimen fue condenado por la gente.”

Correction: El crimen fue condenado por la gente. (Wait, this is correct! The common mistake here is confusing the adjective/participle with the past tense of the verb 'to condemn'.)

Incorrect ending

Mistake: “La mujer fue condenado.”

Correction: La mujer fue condenada. (Remember to use the '-a' ending for feminine nouns like 'mujer'.)

malditas

/mal-DEE-tas//malˈdi.tas/

AdjectiveC1Religious/Supernatural
Use 'malditas' primarily in a religious or supernatural context to describe something or someone as cursed or damned.
A simple, antique wooden treasure chest sits alone on a stone floor, emitting a swirling, ominous green and purple mist from its slightly opened lid, signifying a curse.

Examples

Las brujas malditas fueron desterradas del pueblo para siempre.

The cursed witches were banished from the village forever.

El libro describía las almas malditas que vagaban por el purgatorio.

The book described the condemned souls that wandered through purgatory.

Past Participle Origin

This word is the past participle of the verb maldecir (to curse). It acts like an adjective, describing the state of being cursed or condemned.

Condenado vs. Malditas

Learners often confuse 'condenado' and 'malditas' by using 'malditas' for general disapproval. Remember that 'malditas' carries a strong supernatural or religious connotation, while 'condenado' is used for legal sentences or strong negative judgment.

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