Inklingo

How to Say "detached" in Spanish

English → Spanish

alejado

/ah-leh-HAH-doh//aleˈxaðo/

adjectiveB1
Use 'alejado' when describing a feeling of emotional or mental distance from someone or something.
A storybook illustration of two simplified figures sitting side-by-side on a wooden bench. One figure is enclosed within a faint, transparent bubble, emphasizing their emotional detachment from the other figure.

Examples

Se sentía alejado de su familia después de la discusión.

He felt detached from his family after the argument.

Sus ideas están muy alejadas de la realidad actual.

His ideas are very removed from the current reality.

Figurative Distance

Just like physical distance, emotional or conceptual distance also uses 'alejado de...'. You can be 'alejado del problema' (removed from the problem) or 'alejado de sus sentimientos' (detached from your feelings).

Confusing 'alejado' and 'lejos'

Mistake: “Using 'El pueblo es muy lejos.'”

Correction: Use 'El pueblo está muy alejado' or 'El pueblo está muy lejos.' 'Alejado' is an adjective that changes form; 'lejos' is an adverb that stays the same.

separado

/seh-pah-RAH-doh//se.paˈɾa.ðo/

past participleA2
Use 'separado' when referring to something that has been physically divided, split, or set apart from others.
A thick piece of brown rope that has been cleanly cut into two distinct pieces, lying on a wooden surface, illustrating the result of an action.

Examples

Hemos separado la basura orgánica de la inorgánica.

We have separated the organic trash from the inorganic.

El niño fue separado de sus padres en el tumulto.

The child was separated from his parents in the commotion.

Forming Perfect Tenses

When used with 'haber' (to have), 'separado' never changes its ending, regardless of who did the action. It always stays '-ado'!

Passive Voice

When used with 'ser' (to be) to show that something received an action, 'separado' acts like an adjective and must match the thing it describes (e.g., 'La mesa fue separada').

Emotional vs. Physical Distance

Learners often confuse 'alejado' and 'separado' by using the physical term for an emotional state. Remember, 'alejado' is for feelings of distance, while 'separado' is for physical division.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.