Inklingo

How to Say "lost" in Spanish

English → Spanish

perdido

/pehr-DEE-doh//peɾˈdi.ðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'perdido' when you are physically unable to find your way or are disoriented.
A small child standing alone and looking confused in a vast, dense green forest, symbolizing being physically lost.

Examples

Creo que estamos perdidos. ¿Tienes un mapa?

I think we're lost. Do you have a map?

He buscado por todas partes, pero mi libro sigue perdido.

I've looked everywhere, but my book is still missing.

Matches the Noun

As an adjective, 'perdido' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'perdida' for feminine things, and add an '-s' for plural things ('perdidos', 'perdidas').

Use with 'Estar'

To say something or someone is lost, you'll almost always use the verb 'estar' (e.g., 'El gato está perdido'), because being lost is a temporary state, not a permanent characteristic.

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Mi cartera es perdida.”

Correction: Mi cartera está perdida. Use 'estar' for the temporary state of being lost. Saying 'es perdida' sounds very unnatural.

perdió

verbA2general
Use 'perdió' (the past tense of 'perder') when referring to the act of losing an object, a game, or money.

Examples

Mi hermana perdió su anillo en la playa.

My sister lost her ring on the beach.

Adjective vs. Verb Confusion

The most common mistake is confusing the adjective 'perdido' (lost, unable to find way) with the verb 'perdió' (he/she/it lost something). Remember, 'perdido' describes a state of being lost, while 'perdió' describes the action of losing.

Related Translations

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