Inklingo

How to Say "imported" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “imported” is “importado” — use 'importado' when describing goods or products that have been brought into a country from another country. It directly translates the concept of being 'imported'.

English → Spanish

importado

eem-por-TAH-dohim.porˈta.ðo

adjectiveA2
Use 'importado' when describing goods or products that have been brought into a country from another country. It directly translates the concept of being 'imported'.
A wooden crate with a colorful tropical fruit inside, sitting on a wooden dock with a large ship in the distance.

Examples

Este queso es importado de Francia.

This cheese is imported from France.

Prefiero comprar ropa importada porque es de mejor calidad.

I prefer buying imported clothes because they are better quality.

Los coches importados son muy caros en este país.

Imported cars are very expensive in this country.

Mi empresa ha importado café desde Brasil.

My company has imported coffee from Brazil.

Matching the Noun

This word must match the thing it describes. Use 'importado' for masculine items (el carro) and 'importada' for feminine items (la fruta).

Placement

In Spanish, you usually place this word AFTER the object you are talking about, like 'un reloj importado' (an imported watch).

The 'Haber' Helper

When using this as an action (verb), it stays as 'importado' and doesn't change its ending, as long as it follows the helper verb 'haber'.

Two Meanings

Remember this verb form can mean 'brought from abroad' OR 'was important/mattered' depending on the context.

The 'Important' Mix-up

Mistake: “Es un documento muy importado.”

Correction: Es un documento muy importante. Use 'importante' for 'important' and 'importado' for things brought from another country.

importado

eem-por-TAH-dohim.porˈta.ðo

verbB1
Use 'importado' (as part of the preterite tense, e.g., 'ha importado') to describe the action of a company or entity bringing goods into a country from abroad, focusing on a completed action in the past.
A wooden crate with a colorful tropical fruit inside, sitting on a wooden dock with a large ship in the distance.

Examples

Mi empresa ha importado café desde Brasil.

My company has imported coffee from Brazil.

Este queso es importado de Francia.

This cheese is imported from France.

Prefiero comprar ropa importada porque es de mejor calidad.

I prefer buying imported clothes because they are better quality.

Los coches importados son muy caros en este país.

Imported cars are very expensive in this country.

Matching the Noun

This word must match the thing it describes. Use 'importado' for masculine items (el carro) and 'importada' for feminine items (la fruta).

Placement

In Spanish, you usually place this word AFTER the object you are talking about, like 'un reloj importado' (an imported watch).

The 'Haber' Helper

When using this as an action (verb), it stays as 'importado' and doesn't change its ending, as long as it follows the helper verb 'haber'.

Two Meanings

Remember this verb form can mean 'brought from abroad' OR 'was important/mattered' depending on the context.

The 'Important' Mix-up

Mistake: “Es un documento muy importado.”

Correction: Es un documento muy importante. Use 'importante' for 'important' and 'importado' for things brought from another country.

importó

verbB1
Use 'importó' (the preterite tense of 'importar') to refer to a specific, completed instance in the past when a company or entity brought goods into the country from abroad.

Examples

La empresa importó café de Colombia.

The company imported coffee from Colombia.

extranjeros

eks-trahn-HEH-rohse(k)stɾanˈxeɾos

adjectiveA2
Use 'extranjeros' when referring to goods (like cars or products) that are foreign or come from another country, emphasizing their foreign origin rather than the act of importation.
A simple wooden market stall displaying common red apples and yellow bananas. Placed distinctly among them is a single, brightly colored, exotic purple dragon fruit, clearly originating from a different region.

Examples

Me encantan los coches extranjeros.

I love foreign cars.

Estudiamos varios idiomas extranjeros en la escuela.

We study several foreign languages in school.

Recibimos fondos extranjeros para el proyecto.

We received foreign funds for the project.

Adjective Placement

In Spanish, adjectives like 'extranjeros' usually come after the noun they describe. Example: 'productos extranjeros' (foreign products), not 'extranjeros productos'.

Matching the Ending

Mistake: “Compré unos libros extranjeras.”

Correction: Compré unos libros extranjeros. ('Libros' is masculine plural, so the adjective must also be masculine plural.)

Adjective vs. Verb Usage

Learners often confuse the adjective 'importado' (imported goods) with the verb forms. Remember that 'importado' as an adjective describes the *state* of the goods, while 'importado' (or 'importó') as a verb describes the *action* of importing.

Related Translations

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