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How to Say "noticed" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fijado

fee-HA-doh/fiˈxaðo/

verbB1informal
Use 'fijado' reflexively with 'se ha' when you mean 'have you taken note of' or 'have you observed with attention'. It implies a conscious act of noticing.
A curious person looking closely at a small ladybug on a leaf.

Examples

¿Te has fijado en su nuevo peinado?

Have you noticed her new hairstyle?

Hemos fijado la reunión para el lunes.

We have set the meeting for Monday.

The 'Done' Form

This is the form of the verb used after 'haber' (to have). It stays as 'fijado' regardless of who did the action when used in this way (e.g., 'nosotros hemos fijado').

notado

noh-TAH-doh/noˈtaðo/

adjectiveB1
Use 'notado' when 'noticed' functions as an adjective describing something that has been observed, detected, or perceived, often passively.
A line of identical yellow rubber ducks, interrupted by one distinct, bright purple rubber duck standing out prominently.

Examples

El error fue notado por el profesor.

The error was noticed by the professor.

Su esfuerzo no pasó desapercibido, fue muy notado.

His effort did not go unnoticed, it was very much noticed (or apparent).

Matching the Noun

When used as an adjective, 'notado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes in gender and number: 'el cambio notado' (masc. sing.), 'la diferencia notada' (fem. sing.), 'los errores notados' (masc. plural).

Confusing Roles

Mistake: “Using 'notado' as an adjective without matching the noun (e.g., 'la regla notado').”

Correction: Remember to match the ending to the noun: since 'regla' is feminine, you must say 'la regla notada.'

Fijado vs. Notado

Learners often confuse 'fijado' and 'notado' because both relate to seeing something. Remember that 'fijado' (reflexive) implies actively paying attention, like 'have you observed?', while 'notado' is more about something simply being perceived or detected.

Related Translations

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