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How to Say "inexperienced" in Spanish

English → Spanish

novato

noh-VAH-toh/noˈβato/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'novato' to describe someone who is new to a role, activity, or skill and lacks experience, often implying a willingness to learn.
A person holding a large paintbrush stands in front of an easel, looking clumsy as they accidentally splatter paint onto the canvas.

Examples

El nuevo programador es todavía novato, pero tiene mucho potencial.

The new programmer is still inexperienced, but he has a lot of potential.

Ella tiene una actitud novata, pero aprende rápido.

She has an inexperienced attitude, but she learns fast.

Fue un error novato olvidar cargar la batería.

It was a rookie mistake to forget to charge the battery.

Matching the Noun

When 'novato' is used to describe something, it must match that thing in number and gender. If you describe a female player, it's 'jugadora novata' (novata ending in -a because 'jugadora' is feminine).

verdes

VEHR-dess/ˈbeɾðes/

adjectiveA1informal
Use 'verdes' informally, often as slang, to describe someone, typically young or new, who is naive or inexperienced in a particular situation.
A collection of three brightly colored green spheres arranged together against a neutral background.

Examples

No te preocupes, todos fuimos verdes al principio.

Don't worry, we were all inexperienced at the beginning.

Compramos sillas verdes para el jardín.

We bought green chairs for the garden.

Las peras todavía están verdes; no las comas.

The pears are still unripe; don't eat them.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'verdes' is the plural form of 'verde,' you must use it when describing more than one thing, regardless of if the thing is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'libros verdes' and 'mesas verdes').

Forgetting the Plural

Mistake: “Los árboles son verde.”

Correction: Los árboles son verdes. (The adjective must match the plural noun 'árboles'.)

Novato vs. Verdes

Learners often confuse 'novato' and 'verdes' because both can mean 'inexperienced'. Remember that 'novato' is a more standard and versatile term for someone new to a task, while 'verdes' is informal and often implies a lack of life experience or naivete.

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