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How to Say "damp" in Spanish

English → Spanish

húmedo

adjectiveA2general
Use 'húmedo' when something is slightly wet, often in a way that is noticeable or slightly unpleasant, like clothes or a basement.

Examples

La ropa todavía está húmeda.

The clothes are still damp.

mojado

/mo-HAH-doh//moˈxaðo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'mojado' when something is wet, often as a result of a recent event like rain or a spill, implying a more noticeable wetness than just 'damp'.
A bright yellow rubber duck sitting in a small puddle, covered in large, clear water droplets, indicating it is completely wet.

Examples

El suelo está mojado después de la tormenta.

The floor is wet after the storm.

Tuvimos que quitarnos la ropa mojada al llegar a casa.

We had to take off our wet clothes when we arrived home.

Mi pelo todavía está un poco mojado, no lo sequé bien.

My hair is still a bit damp, I didn't dry it well.

Gender Agreement

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'mojado' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'la toalla mojada' (the wet towel), 'los zapatos mojados' (the wet shoes).

Using Ser vs. Estar

Mistake: “La camisa es mojada.”

Correction: La camisa está mojada. We use 'estar' because being wet is usually a temporary state or condition.

Húmedo vs. Mojado

Learners often confuse 'húmedo' and 'mojado' because both mean 'wet'. Remember that 'húmedo' typically implies a lesser degree of wetness, closer to 'damp', while 'mojado' can mean anything from 'damp' to 'soaked'.

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