How to Say "neglected" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “neglected” is “abandonado” — use 'abandonado' when referring to a place or object that has been left uncared for over a significant period, implying a state of disuse or desertion.
abandonado
ah-bahn-doh-NAH-dohaβan̪doˈnaðo
Examples
Esta fábrica ha estado abandonada por veinte años.
This factory has been abandoned (run-down) for twenty years.
Compramos un coche muy abandonado, pero lo arreglaremos.
We bought a very neglected car, but we will fix it.
Adjective Agreement
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'abandonado' must match the gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) of the noun it describes: 'un perro abandonado' (M, S) vs. 'las sillas abandonadas' (F, P).
Misusing Ser vs. Estar
Mistake: “La casa es abandonada.”
Correction: La casa está abandonada. Use 'estar' because 'abandonado' describes the current state or condition of the house, not its permanent identity.
dejado
de-HA-dodeˈxa.ðo
Examples
El jardín está un poco dejado, necesita cuidado.
The garden is a bit neglected, it needs some care.
Desde que perdió el trabajo, anda muy dejado en su aspecto.
Since he lost his job, he's been very unkempt in his appearance.
La casa se sentía fría y dejada.
The house felt cold and abandoned.
Making it Match
As an adjective, dejado must change to match the thing it describes. Use dejado for masculine things (el jardín dejado) and dejada for feminine things (la casa dejada). Make it plural with -s for more than one (los parques dejados).
Forgetting to Match Gender
Mistake: “La oficina está muy dejado.”
Correction: La oficina está muy *dejada*. Since `oficina` is a feminine word, the adjective describing it needs to end in `-a`.
descuidado
des-kwee-DA-dodes.kwi.ˈða.ðo
Examples
El jardín está un poco descuidado.
The garden is a bit neglected.
Llevaba el pelo largo y un aspecto algo descuidado.
He had long hair and a somewhat untidy appearance.
La casa se ve descuidada porque nadie vive allí.
The house looks messy/neglected because nobody lives there.
Using it with 'se ve'
To say something 'looks' neglected, we often use 'se ve descuidado' or 'parece descuidado'.
Matching Plurals
If you are talking about multiple things, remember to add an 's'. For example: 'Los edificios están descuidados'.
Confusing with 'sucio'
Mistake: “La habitación está descuidada (meaning it's just dirty).”
Correction: Use 'sucio' for dirt. Use 'descuidado' for things that lack maintenance or care over time, like a garden with weeds.
olvidado
ohl-vee-THAH-dohol.βiˈða.ðo
Examples
Encontré una caja de viejas cartas olvidadas en el ático.
I found a box of old forgotten letters in the attic.
El barrio se sentía abandonado y olvidado por las autoridades de la ciudad.
The neighborhood felt abandoned and neglected by the city authorities.
Era un héroe olvidado hasta que hicieron un documental sobre su vida.
He was a forgotten hero until they made a documentary about his life.
Match the Noun
As a descriptive word (adjective), 'olvidado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'olvidada' for feminine singular, 'olvidados' for masculine plural, and 'olvidadas' for feminine plural.
Choosing between 'dejado' and 'descuidado'
Related Translations
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