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How to Say "lifeless" in Spanish

English → Spanish

muerto

/MWER-toh//ˈmweɾto/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'muerto' when referring to something that has literally died or is completely lacking in life, energy, or vitality, like a plant or a person who is unconscious.
A single wilted brown flower lying on the ground, representing the state of being lifeless.

Examples

El fuego se había muerto y solo quedaban cenizas.

The fire had died out and only ashes remained.

Cuando llegué, la planta ya estaba muerta.

When I arrived, the plant was already dead.

Estoy muerto de cansancio, necesito dormir.

I'm dead tired, I need to sleep.

Se me quedó el brazo muerto después de dormir sobre él.

My arm went numb after sleeping on it.

Always Use 'Estar', Not 'Ser'

To describe the state of being dead, always use the verb 'estar'. Think of it as a condition or state someone is in. 'Estar muerto' means 'to be dead'.

Matches Gender and Number

Like most adjectives, 'muerto' changes to match the person or thing it describes: 'el perro muerto' (the dead dog), 'la planta muerta' (the dead plant), 'los árboles muertos' (the dead trees).

Using 'Ser' for 'To Be Dead'

Mistake: “El pez es muerto.”

Correction: El pez está muerto. Use 'estar' to talk about the state or condition of being dead. Using 'ser' (as in 'fue muerto') means 'was killed', which describes the action of killing, not the state of being dead.

apagado

ah-pah-GAH-doh/a.paˈɣa.ðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'apagado' to describe a lack of brightness, intensity, or liveliness, often applied to colors, lights, or a person's personality or mood.
A single, simple illustration of a piece of fabric, colored in muted, grayish brown and purple tones, symbolizing a dull color.

Examples

Su entusiasmo se veía apagado después de la mala noticia.

His enthusiasm seemed dull after the bad news.

Ella llevaba un vestido de colores muy apagados.

She was wearing a dress with very dull colors.

Después de la noticia, su voz se sintió apagada y triste.

After the news, his voice felt subdued and sad.

Figurative Meaning

Think of this meaning as having the 'light' or 'fire' (energy or brightness) turned off. This applies to anything lacking vibrancy, like a quiet personality or a muted color.

Literal vs. Figurative 'Lifeless'

The most common mistake is using 'muerto' for figurative 'lifelessness' when 'apagado' is more appropriate. 'Muerto' implies a complete cessation of life, while 'apagado' suggests a lack of vibrancy or energy, like dull colors or a subdued mood.

Related Translations

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