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How to Say "recovered" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word forrecoveredis recuperadouse 'recuperado' when referring to someone regaining their health after an illness or injury, or when a general state or condition has returned to normal..

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recuperado

reh-koo-peh-RAH-doh/re.ku.peˈɾa.ðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'recuperado' when referring to someone regaining their health after an illness or injury, or when a general state or condition has returned to normal.
A vibrant green potted plant with bright flowers standing fully upright in the sun, showing recovery after being wilted.

Examples

Después de la cirugía, mi tío está completamente recuperado.

After the surgery, my uncle is completely recovered.

Después de la cirugía, mi tío está completamente **recuperado**.

After the surgery, my uncle is completely recovered.

El teléfono robado fue **recuperado** por la policía.

The stolen phone was retrieved by the police.

Me alegra ver que la inversión está **recuperada** y dando beneficios.

I'm happy to see that the investment is recovered and generating profit.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'recuperado' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes (e.g., recuperada for a female, recuperados for plural things).

Use with ESTAR

When describing a state of health or condition, use the verb estar (to be): Estoy recuperado (I am recovered/well).

Forming Perfect Tenses

This form combines with the helping verb haber (to have) to create perfect tenses, showing an action that was completed: He recuperado (I have recovered).

Invariable with HABER

When used with haber to form perfect tenses, the past participle is usually 'recuperado' and does not change its ending, regardless of who did the action: Ellos han recuperado.

Mixing up SER and ESTAR

Mistake:Soy recuperado.

Correction: Soy means 'I am recovered forever' which sounds odd. Use 'Estoy recuperado' to describe your current state of wellness.

Changing the ending with HABER

Mistake:Hemos recuperados la energía.

Correction: When using *haber*, the participle stays masculine singular: 'Hemos recuperado la energía.' Only change the ending if using it as a standalone adjective.

recuperado

reh-koo-peh-RAH-doh/re.ku.peˈɾa.ðo/

Past ParticipleB1General
Use 'recuperado' as part of the perfect tenses (with 'haber') to indicate that something has been regained or brought back, such as lost items, status, or feelings.
A vibrant green potted plant with bright flowers standing fully upright in the sun, showing recovery after being wilted.

Examples

Hemos recuperado la confianza en el equipo después de la victoria.

We have recovered confidence in the team after the victory.

Después de la cirugía, mi tío está completamente **recuperado**.

After the surgery, my uncle is completely recovered.

El teléfono robado fue **recuperado** por la policía.

The stolen phone was retrieved by the police.

Me alegra ver que la inversión está **recuperada** y dando beneficios.

I'm happy to see that the investment is recovered and generating profit.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'recuperado' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes (e.g., recuperada for a female, recuperados for plural things).

Use with ESTAR

When describing a state of health or condition, use the verb estar (to be): Estoy recuperado (I am recovered/well).

Forming Perfect Tenses

This form combines with the helping verb haber (to have) to create perfect tenses, showing an action that was completed: He recuperado (I have recovered).

Invariable with HABER

When used with haber to form perfect tenses, the past participle is usually 'recuperado' and does not change its ending, regardless of who did the action: Ellos han recuperado.

Mixing up SER and ESTAR

Mistake:Soy recuperado.

Correction: Soy means 'I am recovered forever' which sounds odd. Use 'Estoy recuperado' to describe your current state of wellness.

Changing the ending with HABER

Mistake:Hemos recuperados la energía.

Correction: When using *haber*, the participle stays masculine singular: 'Hemos recuperado la energía.' Only change the ending if using it as a standalone adjective.

curado

/koo-RAH-doh//kuˈɾaðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'curado' specifically when referring to being healed from a medical condition or illness, emphasizing the cessation of sickness.
A small bird with a small bandage on its wing, looking healthy and flying toward a bright sun.

Examples

Después de una semana en cama, por fin me siento curado.

After a week in bed, I finally feel healed.

El médico dice que el paciente ya está totalmente curado.

The doctor says the patient is already totally cured.

Using 'Estar' for Health

When talking about being healed, always use the verb 'estar' because being cured is a state or a result of a change.

Ending changes

Mistake:La niña está curado.

Correction: La niña está curada.

Health vs. General Recovery

The most common mistake is confusing 'curado' and 'recuperado' for health. 'Curado' strongly implies being healed from sickness, while 'recuperado' is broader, covering general health recovery and returning to a normal state. If you are 'healed' from an illness, 'curado' is often more precise.

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