How to Say "experienced" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “experienced” is “experimentado” — use this when describing a person who has gained knowledge or skill through long practice in a particular field.
experimentado
ex-peh-ree-men-TAH-dohekspeɾimenˈtaðo
Examples
Necesitamos un programador experimentado para este proyecto.
We need an experienced programmer for this project.
Necesitamos un guía experimentado para subir la montaña.
We need an experienced guide to climb the mountain.
Es un actor muy experimentado en el teatro.
He is a very seasoned actor in the theater.
He experimentado muchos cambios este año.
I have experienced many changes this year.
Matching the word to the person
Since this is an adjective, remember to change the ending to 'experimentada' if you are describing a woman or a feminine object.
The 'Finished Action' Form
When used as a verb, 'experimentado' usually follows the word 'he', 'has', 'ha', etc., to show something you have already done.
Using 'con experiencia' vs 'experimentado'
Mistake: “Using 'un hombre con experimentado'.”
Correction: Say 'un hombre experimentado' or 'un hombre con experiencia'. You don't need 'con' (with) before 'experimentado' because it already describes the person.
vivido
vee-VEE-dohbiˈβi.ðo
Examples
Es un hombre muy vivido y siempre tiene buenas historias.
He is a very worldly man and always has good stories.
Mi abuela es una mujer muy vivida y tiene consejos para todo.
My grandmother is a very worldly woman and has advice for everything.
Se nota que ha sido un viaje vivido, ¡mira esas fotos!
You can tell it was an intense trip; look at those photos!
Nunca he vivido en una ciudad tan grande.
I have never lived in such a big city.
Changing Forms
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'vivido' must match the person or thing it describes in gender and number: 'un hombre vivido' (experienced man) but 'unas personas vividas' (experienced people).
Perfect Tenses Helper
'Vivido' is the special form of 'vivir' that teams up with the verb 'haber' (to have) to describe actions completed in the past: 'Hemos vivido' (We have lived).
Don't use 'tener'
Mistake: “Using 'tener' instead of 'haber' to form perfect tenses: 'Tengo vivido...'”
Correction: Always use a form of 'haber' (he, has, ha, hemos, han) before 'vivido' when talking about past actions: 'He vivido...'
experta
eks-PEHR-taheksˈpeɾta
Examples
La chef es una cocinera experta.
The chef is an expert cook.
La cirujana tiene una mano experta.
The surgeon has an expert hand.
Es una guía muy experta en la montaña.
She is a very experienced guide on the mountain.
Matching the word it describes
Use this form when describing 'feminine' words (words that usually end in -a or use 'la'). For example: 'la ayuda experta' (the expert help).
veterano
be-te-rah-nohbeteˈɾano
Examples
Mi padre es un vendedor veterano en esa empresa.
My father is a veteran salesman at that company.
Juan es un periodista veterano que conoce bien la ciudad.
Juan is a seasoned journalist who knows the city well.
El equipo necesita un jugador veterano para guiar a los jóvenes.
The team needs an experienced player to lead the young ones.
Su estilo veterano se nota en la calidad de sus pinturas.
His experienced style is visible in the quality of his paintings.
Where to put the word
As an adjective describing a person, 'veterano' usually comes after the person you are describing (e.g., 'el médico veterano').
Experience vs. Age
In Spanish, describing someone as 'veterano' is a compliment to their skills and time spent in a career, not a comment on their biological age.
Using it for objects
Mistake: “Saying 'mi coche veterano' for an old car.”
Correction: Use 'antiguo' or 'viejo' for objects. 'Veterano' is almost always reserved for people or animals (like a police dog).
viajado
bee-ah-HAH-dohbjaˈxaðo
Examples
Es una escritora muy viajada que se inspira en sus viajes.
She is a very well-traveled writer who draws inspiration from her trips.
Mi abuelo es un hombre muy viajado; conoce casi toda Europa.
My grandfather is a very well-traveled man; he knows almost all of Europe.
Para ser tan joven, ella es una persona muy viajada.
For being so young, she is a very well-traveled person.
Matching the Person
When using this as a describing word, remember to change the ending to 'viajada' if you are talking about a woman.
conoció
Examples
La región conoció un período de paz después de la guerra.
The region experienced a period of peace after the war.
vivido
vee-VEE-dohbiˈβi.ðo
Examples
Nunca he vivido una noche tan emocionante.
I have never experienced such an exciting night.
Mi abuela es una mujer muy vivida y tiene consejos para todo.
My grandmother is a very worldly woman and has advice for everything.
Se nota que ha sido un viaje vivido, ¡mira esas fotos!
You can tell it was an intense trip; look at those photos!
Nunca he vivido en una ciudad tan grande.
I have never lived in such a big city.
Changing Forms
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'vivido' must match the person or thing it describes in gender and number: 'un hombre vivido' (experienced man) but 'unas personas vividas' (experienced people).
Perfect Tenses Helper
'Vivido' is the special form of 'vivir' that teams up with the verb 'haber' (to have) to describe actions completed in the past: 'Hemos vivido' (We have lived).
Don't use 'tener'
Mistake: “Using 'tener' instead of 'haber' to form perfect tenses: 'Tengo vivido...'”
Correction: Always use a form of 'haber' (he, has, ha, hemos, han) before 'vivido' when talking about past actions: 'He vivido...'
experimentado
ex-peh-ree-men-TAH-dohekspeɾimenˈtaðo
Examples
He experimentado mucha alegría desde que me mudé aquí.
I have experienced much joy since I moved here.
Necesitamos un guía experimentado para subir la montaña.
We need an experienced guide to climb the mountain.
Es un actor muy experimentado en el teatro.
He is a very seasoned actor in the theater.
He experimentado muchos cambios este año.
I have experienced many changes this year.
Matching the word to the person
Since this is an adjective, remember to change the ending to 'experimentada' if you are describing a woman or a feminine object.
The 'Finished Action' Form
When used as a verb, 'experimentado' usually follows the word 'he', 'has', 'ha', etc., to show something you have already done.
Using 'con experiencia' vs 'experimentado'
Mistake: “Using 'un hombre con experimentado'.”
Correction: Say 'un hombre experimentado' or 'un hombre con experiencia'. You don't need 'con' (with) before 'experimentado' because it already describes the person.
vivió
Examples
Ella vivió una infancia muy feliz.
She experienced a very happy childhood.
jugado
hoo-GAH-dohxuˈɣaðo
Examples
El equipo jugó bien, pero perdió.
The team played well, but lost.
El partido jugado ayer fue el mejor de la temporada.
The game played yesterday was the best of the season.
No te preocupes por él, es un hombre muy jugado y sabe lo que hace.
Don't worry about him, he's a very experienced/street-smart man and knows what he's doing.
Fue una jugada muy jugada, pudimos perderlo todo.
It was a very risky move; we could have lost everything.
Adjective Agreement
When 'jugado' acts as an adjective, it must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'el partido jugado' (masculine singular), 'las cartas jugadas' (feminine plural).
Mixing Adjective and Participle
Mistake: “La mesa está jugado.”
Correction: If you are using it as an adjective with 'estar' or 'ser', it must agree in gender and number. Correction: 'La mesa está jugada' (feminine singular).
sintió
Examples
Él sintió un gran alivio al escuchar la noticia.
He felt great relief upon hearing the news.
Adjective vs. Verb for Personal Experience
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