How to Say "mixed" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “mixed” is “mezclado” — use this word for a physical combination of ingredients or substances, or for emotions and thoughts that are a blend of different feelings.
mezclado
mess-KLAH-dohmesˈklaðo
Examples
El arroz está mezclado con verduras.
The rice is mixed with vegetables.
Tengo un mazo de cartas mezclado en la mesa.
I have a shuffled deck of cards on the table.
Los colores están bien mezclados en la pintura.
The colors are well blended in the painting.
Siento un sentimiento mezclado de alegría y tristeza.
I feel a mixed feeling of joy and sadness.
Matching the Noun
Since this acts as an adjective, the ending must change to match what you are describing. Use 'mezclado' for one boy/masculine thing, 'mezclada' for one girl/feminine thing, and add an 's' for plurals.
Describing a State
This word is almost always used with 'estar' because it describes the current condition of something (how it was left or prepared).
Use with Sentiments
Just like in English, you can use this word to describe when you feel two different things at once.
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: “La ensalada está mezclado.”
Correction: La ensalada está mezclada. (Since salad is a feminine word in Spanish, the adjective must end in 'a'.)
Confusing with 'Mestizo'
Mistake: “Él es mezclado.”
Correction: Él es de origen mezclado (or use 'mestizo'). Saying 'él es mezclado' sounds like he was put in a blender. It's better to describe the 'origin' or 'blood' as mixed.
mixto
meeks-tohˈmiksto
Examples
Mis hijos van a un colegio mixto.
My children go to a co-ed school (a school with both boys and girls).
La ensalada mixta lleva lechuga, tomate y cebolla.
The mixed salad has lettuce, tomato, and onion.
El equipo es mixto; hay hombres y mujeres.
The team is mixed; there are men and women.
Matching the Word it Describes
Since this is an adjective, it changes to 'mixta' when describing a feminine word (like 'la ensalada mixta') and to 'mixtos' or 'mixtas' for plurals.
Placement
In Spanish, 'mixto' usually comes after the person or thing it is describing, just like in 'colegio mixto'.
Mixed Feelings
Mistake: “Using 'mixto' for emotions like 'I have mixed feelings'.”
Correction: Say 'tengo sentimientos encontrados'. 'Mixto' is used more for physical groups or structured combinations.
combinado
kom-bee-NAH-dohkombiˈnaðo
Examples
El éxito fue el resultado de un esfuerzo combinado.
Success was the result of a combined effort.
Las fuerzas combinadas de los dos países ganaron.
The combined forces of the two countries won.
El helado es de sabor combinado de vainilla y fresa.
The ice cream is a mixed flavor of vanilla and strawberry.
Matching with People or Things
As an adjective, this word needs to change its ending to match what it describes. Use 'combinado' for masculine singular, 'combinada' for feminine singular, 'combinados' for masculine plural, and 'combinadas' for feminine plural.
Gender Agreement
Mistake: “La fuerza combinado.”
Correction: La fuerza combinada. (Since 'fuerza' is a feminine word, the adjective must also be feminine.)
híbrido
Examples
Mi hermano se compró un coche híbrido para gastar menos gasolina.
My brother bought a hybrid car to spend less on gas.
encontrado
en-kon-TRA-doen.konˈtɾa.ðo
Examples
Sentí un sentimiento encontrado al dejar mi antiguo trabajo.
I felt a mixed feeling about leaving my old job.
El perro encontrado en el parque ya está con su familia.
The found dog in the park is already with its family.
Tengo sentimientos encontrados sobre irme a vivir a otro país.
I have mixed feelings about going to live in another country.
Tenemos opiniones encontradas sobre ese tema.
We have conflicting opinions on that topic.
A Describing Word That Changes
When 'encontrado' is used to describe something, it has to match the thing it's describing. It changes for masculine/feminine and singular/plural: el objeto encontrado (the found object), la carta encontrada (the found letter), los tesoros encontrados (the found treasures).
Confusing 'mezclado' and 'mixto'
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.