How to Say "remote" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “remote” is “lejano” — use 'lejano' for a location that is far away in distance, often implying a significant travel time.
lejano
leh-HAH-nohleˈxano
Examples
El pueblo más cercano está lejano; tardaremos dos horas en llegar.
The nearest town is far; it will take us two hours to arrive.
La casa lejana que vimos era muy antigua.
The distant house we saw was very old.
Necesitamos un telescopio para ver las estrellas lejanas.
We need a telescope to see the distant stars.
Tengo recuerdos lejanos de cuando era muy pequeño.
I have distant memories of when I was very young.
Adjective Agreement
'Lejano' changes its ending to match the noun it describes. Remember: 'el lugar lejano' (masculine, singular) but 'las montañas lejanas' (feminine, plural).
Abstract Use
When 'lejano' refers to likelihood or probability, it means 'unlikely' or 'remote.' For example, if you say 'la victoria es lejana,' you mean winning is not likely to happen.
remoto
reh-MOH-tohreˈmoto
Examples
Mi abuelo vive en un pueblo muy remoto en la montaña.
My grandfather lives in a very remote village in the mountains.
La señal de internet es débil porque estamos en una zona remota.
The internet signal is weak because we are in a distant area.
Existe una posibilidad remota de que cambie de opinión.
There is a remote possibility that he will change his mind.
No veo ni la más remota conexión entre esos dos temas.
I don't see even the slightest connection between those two topics.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'remoto' must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'pueblo remoto' (m. sing.) but 'zonas remotas' (f. plural).
Possibility
This sense is almost always used with feminine nouns like 'posibilidad' (possibility) or 'duda' (doubt), requiring the feminine form 'remota'.
Control Remoto
While English sometimes uses 'a remote' as a noun, Spanish almost always uses 'el control remoto' (the remote control) or 'el mando a distancia'.
Using 'Remoto' as a Noun
Mistake: “Dame el remoto.”
Correction: Dame el control remoto. (Always use the full phrase or 'el mando' for the physical device.)
alejado
ah-leh-HAH-dohaleˈxaðo
Examples
Vivimos en un barrio muy alejado del centro de la ciudad.
We live in a neighborhood very far from the city center.
Esa isla es un destino turístico increíblemente alejado.
That island is an incredibly distant tourist destination.
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'alejado' must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural). Examples: 'el pueblo alejado' (M/S), 'la playa alejada' (F/S), 'los pueblos alejados' (M/P).
Use with 'de'
To specify what something is far from, always use the preposition 'de' (from). Example: 'La casa está alejada de la carretera' (The house is far from the road).
distante
dees-TAHN-tehdisˈtante
Examples
Vivimos en una zona distante de la ciudad.
We live in an area far away from the city.
Se escuchaba un sonido distante.
A distant sound could be heard.
One Ending for Everyone
This word ends in 'e,' which means it stays the same whether you are describing a masculine or feminine thing. You don't need to change it to an 'o' or an 'a'.
control
kon-trolkonˈtɾol
Examples
¿Me pasas el control de la tele, por favor?
Can you pass me the TV remote, please?
No encuentro el control del aire acondicionado.
I can't find the remote for the air conditioning.
Using 'Remoto'
Mistake: “Pásame el remoto.”
Correction: Pásame el control. While 'control remoto' is the full name, people almost always shorten it to just 'control', especially in Latin America. Using just 'remoto' is less common.
aislado
eye-SLAH-dohai̯sˈlaðo
Examples
El pueblo quedó aislado después de la gran nevada.
The town was isolated after the heavy snowfall.
Me siento un poco aislado en mi nuevo trabajo.
I feel a bit isolated at my new job.
Matching Gender
Remember that this word ends in '-o' because it describes a masculine person or thing. If you describe a woman or a feminine thing (like 'una casa'), change it to 'aislada'.
Using with 'Estar'
We usually use this word with the verb 'estar' (to be) because being isolated is often seen as a temporary state or condition.
Isolated vs. Only
Mistake: “Using 'solo' when you mean 'aislado'.”
Correction: Use 'solo' to mean someone is alone by choice or circumstance, but use 'aislado' when someone is physically cut off or separated from everything else.
apartado
ah-par-TAH-dohapaɾˈtaðo
Examples
Viven en un lugar muy apartado de la ciudad.
They live in a place very remote from the city.
La cabaña está en una zona apartada del bosque.
The cabin is in an isolated area of the forest.
Prefiero las playas apartadas y tranquilas.
I prefer remote and quiet beaches.
Matching the Noun
As a word describing something, it changes its ending: use 'apartado' for masculine things (el pueblo) and 'apartada' for feminine things (la casa).
Describing People
Mistake: “Saying 'él es muy apartado' to mean he is shy.”
Correction: Use 'reservado' or 'distante' for people. 'Apartado' usually describes locations or things set aside.
lejano
leh-HAH-nohleˈxano
Examples
Tengo recuerdos lejanos de cuando era muy pequeño.
I have distant memories of when I was very young.
El pueblo más cercano está lejano; tardaremos dos horas en llegar.
The nearest town is far; it will take us two hours to arrive.
La casa lejana que vimos era muy antigua.
The distant house we saw was very old.
Necesitamos un telescopio para ver las estrellas lejanas.
We need a telescope to see the distant stars.
Adjective Agreement
'Lejano' changes its ending to match the noun it describes. Remember: 'el lugar lejano' (masculine, singular) but 'las montañas lejanas' (feminine, plural).
Abstract Use
When 'lejano' refers to likelihood or probability, it means 'unlikely' or 'remote.' For example, if you say 'la victoria es lejana,' you mean winning is not likely to happen.
remoto
reh-MOH-tohreˈmoto
Examples
Existe una posibilidad remota de que cambie de opinión.
There is a remote possibility that he will change his mind.
Mi abuelo vive en un pueblo muy remoto en la montaña.
My grandfather lives in a very remote village in the mountains.
La señal de internet es débil porque estamos en una zona remota.
The internet signal is weak because we are in a distant area.
No veo ni la más remota conexión entre esos dos temas.
I don't see even the slightest connection between those two topics.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'remoto' must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'pueblo remoto' (m. sing.) but 'zonas remotas' (f. plural).
Possibility
This sense is almost always used with feminine nouns like 'posibilidad' (possibility) or 'duda' (doubt), requiring the feminine form 'remota'.
Control Remoto
While English sometimes uses 'a remote' as a noun, Spanish almost always uses 'el control remoto' (the remote control) or 'el mando a distancia'.
Using 'Remoto' as a Noun
Mistake: “Dame el remoto.”
Correction: Dame el control remoto. (Always use the full phrase or 'el mando' for the physical device.)
remoto
reh-MOH-tohreˈmoto
Examples
Muchos empleados tienen un trabajo remoto desde casa.
Many employees have remote work from home.
Mi abuelo vive en un pueblo muy remoto en la montaña.
My grandfather lives in a very remote village in the mountains.
La señal de internet es débil porque estamos en una zona remota.
The internet signal is weak because we are in a distant area.
Existe una posibilidad remota de que cambie de opinión.
There is a remote possibility that he will change his mind.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'remoto' must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'pueblo remoto' (m. sing.) but 'zonas remotas' (f. plural).
Possibility
This sense is almost always used with feminine nouns like 'posibilidad' (possibility) or 'duda' (doubt), requiring the feminine form 'remota'.
Control Remoto
While English sometimes uses 'a remote' as a noun, Spanish almost always uses 'el control remoto' (the remote control) or 'el mando a distancia'.
Using 'Remoto' as a Noun
Mistake: “Dame el remoto.”
Correction: Dame el control remoto. (Always use the full phrase or 'el mando' for the physical device.)
retirado
reh-tee-RAH-dohretiˈraðo
Examples
Compraron una casa en un lugar muy retirado de la ciudad.
They bought a house in a very remote place far from the city.
El monasterio estaba retirado en las montañas y era difícil llegar.
The monastery was secluded in the mountains and difficult to reach.
Describing Distance
This meaning emphasizes physical distance or separation. It means the place has been 'pulled back' or 'withdrawn' from others.
aislado
eye-SLAH-dohai̯sˈlaðo
Examples
El pueblo quedó aislado después de la gran nevada.
The town was isolated after the heavy snowfall.
Me siento un poco aislado en mi nuevo trabajo.
I feel a bit isolated at my new job.
Matching Gender
Remember that this word ends in '-o' because it describes a masculine person or thing. If you describe a woman or a feminine thing (like 'una casa'), change it to 'aislada'.
Using with 'Estar'
We usually use this word with the verb 'estar' (to be) because being isolated is often seen as a temporary state or condition.
Isolated vs. Only
Mistake: “Using 'solo' when you mean 'aislado'.”
Correction: Use 'solo' to mean someone is alone by choice or circumstance, but use 'aislado' when someone is physically cut off or separated from everything else.
Distance vs. Isolation
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