How to Say "limited" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “limited” is “reducido” — use 'reducido' when referring to something that is smaller in size, number, or amount than usual or expected..
reducido
/ray-doo-SEE-doh//reðuˈsiðo/
Examples
Mi hermano vive en un apartamento muy reducido.
My brother lives in a very small apartment.
Vivimos en un apartamento muy reducido.
We live in a very small apartment.
Solo un grupo reducido de personas puede entrar.
Only a limited group of people can enter.
Contamos con un presupuesto reducido para este viaje.
We have a tight budget for this trip.
Matching the Noun
This word must change to match the gender and number of the thing it describes. Use 'reducido' for masculine items, 'reducida' for feminine, and add an 's' for plural (reducidos/reducidas).
Placement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'reducido' usually comes after the noun it describes, such as 'un espacio reducido' (a small space).
Confusing with 'Pequeño'
Mistake: “Using 'reducido' to describe a small child.”
Correction: Use 'pequeño' for physical stature of people. 'Reducido' is better for spaces, groups, or quantities that have been limited or are naturally small.
escaso
/es-KAH-so//esˈkaso/
Examples
El tiempo para terminar el proyecto es escaso.
Time to finish the project is scarce.
El agua es escasa en el desierto.
Water is scarce in the desert.
Tenemos recursos escasos para completar el proyecto.
We have limited resources to complete the project.
La visibilidad era escasa debido a la niebla.
Visibility was poor due to the fog.
Matching with Nouns
Like most adjectives in Spanish, this word must change to match the thing it describes. Use 'escaso' for masculine items and 'escasa' for feminine items.
Placement
When you put 'escaso' before the noun, it often adds a bit of emphasis or a more formal tone compared to putting it after.
Using 'escaso' vs 'poco'
Mistake: “No tengo escaso tiempo.”
Correction: Tengo poco tiempo or Mi tiempo es escaso. 'Escaso' is usually used to describe the quality of the supply, while 'poco' simply means 'not much'.
ajustado
/ah-hoo-STAH-doh//axusˈtado/
Examples
Tenemos un presupuesto muy ajustado para este viaje.
We have a very tight budget for this trip.
El horario del tren es muy ajustado, no podemos llegar tarde.
The train schedule is very tight; we can't be late.
El resultado de las elecciones fue muy ajustado.
The election result was very close.
Using 'a'
When you want to say something is 'adjusted to' or 'conforms to' something else, use the preposition 'a'. For example: 'ajustado a la realidad' (adjusted to reality).
Ajustado vs. Corto
Mistake: “Tengo un tiempo corto.”
Correction: Tengo el tiempo ajustado. In Spanish, we use 'ajustado' to describe a schedule with no room for error.
restringido
/rreh-streen-HEE-doh//restɾinˈxiðo/
Examples
El acceso a esta área está restringido al personal autorizado.
Access to this area is restricted to authorized personnel.
Tenemos un presupuesto muy restringido para el viaje.
We have a very limited budget for the trip.
Es un club privado con un número restringido de miembros.
It is a private club with a restricted number of members.
Matching the Gender
Since this word acts as a description, it must change its ending to match what you are talking about. Use 'restringido' for masculine items and 'restringida' for feminine items.
Using 'Estar' or 'Ser'
Use 'está restringido' when something is currently in a state of being limited (like a closed road), and 'es restringido' when being limited is a permanent rule or characteristic.
Wrong Ending
Mistake: “La entrada está restringido.”
Correction: La entrada está restringida. Since 'entrada' is feminine, the description needs to end in -a.
Strict vs. Restricted
Mistake: “Mi padre es muy restringido.”
Correction: Mi padre es muy estricto. Use 'estricto' to describe a person's personality and 'restringido' for things like access, budgets, or spaces.
condicionado
/kon-dee-syo-nah-doh//kondiθjoˈnaðo/
Examples
El éxito del proyecto está condicionado al presupuesto.
The project's success is dependent on the budget.
Es una oferta condicionada a la disponibilidad de stock.
It is an offer subject to stock availability.
Su comportamiento está condicionado por su educación.
His behavior is conditioned by his upbringing.
Matching the Noun
This word must change to match what it describes. If you are talking about a feminine noun like 'la oferta' (the offer), you must use 'condicionada'.
Connecting with 'A'
When you want to say something is conditioned 'on' or 'to' something else, always use the word 'a' afterward (e.g., condicionado a algo).
Confusing with Grammar Terms
Mistake: “Using 'condicionado' to talk about the 'if-then' grammar tense.”
Correction: Use 'condicional' for the grammar tense and 'condicionado' for a situation that depends on a rule.
Scarce vs. Limited Quantity
Related Translations
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