How to Say "infertile" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “infertile” is “estéril” — B1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
Examples
Después de muchos incendios, la tierra se volvió estéril.
After many fires, the land became barren.
Algunas mulas son animales estériles por naturaleza.
Some mules are naturally sterile animals.
El desierto es un lugar estéril donde pocas plantas crecen.
The desert is a barren place where few plants grow.
One Form for All
This word ends in a consonant, so it stays exactly the same whether you are describing a masculine or feminine thing. You only add an '-es' to make it plural.
Using with 'Ser' vs 'Estar'
Use 'ser' when talking about a permanent trait (like a species being sterile) and 'estar' if you are describing a state (like land that became barren after a drought).
Confusing with 'Seco'
Mistake: “Using 'estéril' just to mean 'dry'.”
Correction: Use 'seco' for lack of water. Use 'estéril' only if the land actually cannot produce life anymore.
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.