Inklingo

How to Say "fastened" in Spanish

English → Spanish

atado

/ah-TAH-doh//aˈtaðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'atado' when something is physically tied or bound to something else, often with a rope, string, or similar material.
A bundle of brown sticks tightly tied together with a simple piece of rope.

Examples

El paquete llegó atado con una cuerda roja.

The package arrived tied with a red string.

La puerta estaba atada con una cadena.

The door was fastened with a chain.

Necesito desatar las cajas; están todas atadas.

I need to untie the boxes; they are all bundled together.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'atado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'atada' (feminine singular), 'atados' (masculine plural), 'atadas' (feminine plural).

Using 'ser' instead of 'estar'

Mistake:El paquete es atado.

Correction: El paquete está atado. (Use 'estar' because being 'tied' is a temporary state or condition.)

fijado

fee-HA-doh/fiˈxaðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'fijado' when something is made stable, fixed in place, or set at a specific value or position.
A metal bolt firmly secured into a solid wooden beam.

Examples

El precio ya está fijado en el catálogo.

The price is already set in the catalog.

El espejo está bien fijado a la pared.

The mirror is securely attached to the wall.

Changing for Gender

Since this word is describing something, it needs to match the item it talks about. If you describe a female noun like 'la fecha' (the date), use 'fijada' instead of 'fijado'.

Fixing a Car vs. Fixing a Date

Mistake:Using 'fijado' to mean a repaired car.

Correction: Use 'arreglado' for repairs. 'Fijado' only means something is set in place or established.

sujeto

soo-HEH-toh/suˈxeto/

adjectiveB2formal
Use 'sujeto' when something is held, secured, or dependent on something else, implying conditionality or being subject to something.
A brightly colored red balloon floating slightly, tethered securely to a large, heavy grey anchor on the ground by a thick rope, symbolizing dependency.

Examples

La decisión está sujeta a la aprobación del director.

The decision is subject to the director's approval.

Ella mantuvo el libro sujeto con ambas manos.

She kept the book held tight with both hands.

El descuento está sujeto a ciertas condiciones.

The discount is dependent on certain conditions.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'sujeto' must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: 'sujeto' (m. sing.), 'sujeta' (f. sing.), 'sujetos' (m. plural), 'sujetas' (f. plural). Pay attention to the ending!

Using the wrong preposition

Mistake:El precio es sujeto por las reglas.

Correction: El precio está sujeto a las reglas. ('Sujeto' almost always uses the preposition 'a' (to) when referring to dependency.)

Physical vs. Conditional Fastening

Learners often confuse 'atado' and 'sujeto'. Remember that 'atado' refers to a physical tying or binding, while 'sujeto' implies being dependent on or subject to a condition or authority, not necessarily a physical connection.

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