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How to Say "exposed" in Spanish

English → Spanish

expuesto

eks-PWES-toh/eksˈpwesto/

adjectiveB1general
Use this word when something is unprotected from the elements, danger, or a negative influence.
A small green plant sitting alone on a bare, windy hill under a large gray cloud.

Examples

El jardín está expuesto al sol directo durante todo el día.

The garden is exposed to direct sun all day long.

El pueblo está muy expuesto al viento en invierno.

The town is very exposed to the wind in winter.

Sin seguridad, tus datos personales quedan expuestos.

Without security, your personal data remains exposed.

Me sentí muy expuesto después de contarle mi secreto.

I felt very vulnerable after telling him my secret.

Matching the Noun

Since this acts as a descriptor, remember to change the ending to 'expuesta' for feminine things or 'expuestos/as' for plurals.

Irregular Ending

Verbs ending in '-poner' (like 'poner' or 'exponer') don't end in '-ido'. Instead of 'exponido', we always use 'expuesto'.

Choosing the right 'To Be'

Mistake: “Soy expuesto al sol.”

Correction: Estoy expuesto al sol.

descubierto

des-koo-BYER-toh/deskuˈβjeɾto/

adjectiveA2general
Use this when something is literally uncovered, not covered or hidden, especially when left open to the air or view.
A simple wooden storage box standing on a surface. The lid is completely removed and placed beside the box, showing the empty interior.

Examples

El tesoro estaba descubierto en el ático.

The treasure was uncovered in the attic.

Dejó la cabeza descubierta bajo el sol fuerte y se quemó.

He left his head uncovered under the strong sun and got burned.

Las ruinas históricas quedaron descubiertas tras la excavación.

The historical ruins were left exposed after the excavation.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'descubierto' must change its ending (-o, -a, -os, -as) to match the person or thing it describes in both gender and number.

vulnerable

voo-lneh-RAH-bleh/bulneˈɾable/

adjectiveB1general
Choose this word when emphasizing a lack of protection, making someone or something susceptible to harm or negative effects.
A tiny, newly hatched yellow chick stands alone in a wide, open green field under a vast blue sky, emphasizing its fragility and lack of protection.

Examples

Los niños pequeños son vulnerables a las enfermedades contagiosas.

Young children are vulnerable to contagious diseases.

Los ancianos son un grupo especialmente vulnerable al frío.

Elderly people are a group especially vulnerable to the cold.

El sistema informático resultó ser vulnerable a un ataque sencillo.

The computer system turned out to be vulnerable to a simple attack.

Cuando te enamoras, te sientes muy vulnerable.

When you fall in love, you feel very vulnerable.

Adjective Agreement (Number)

Since 'vulnerable' ends in '-e', it doesn't change based on whether the noun is masculine or feminine (es: 'la zona vulnerable', 'el grupo vulnerable'). However, you must add an '-s' for plural nouns: 'zonas vulnerables' or 'grupos vulnerables'.

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Estar vulnerable”

Correction: Ser vulnerable. Because vulnerability is usually a defining characteristic or a long-term state, you almost always use 'ser' (to be) instead of 'estar' (to be, temporary state). 'Ella es vulnerable' (She is vulnerable) is correct.

expuesto

verbB1general
This is the past participle of 'exponer' and is used when you have revealed, shown, or explained something, like an idea or a plan.

Examples

He expuesto mis dudas sobre el proyecto al director.

I have exposed/expressed my doubts about the project to the director.

Confusing 'expuesto' and 'descubierto'

Learners often confuse 'expuesto' and 'descubierto'. Remember that 'descubierto' means literally uncovered (like a head without a hat), while 'expuesto' implies a lack of protection against something potentially harmful (like a town exposed to wind).

Related Translations

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