Inklingo

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, implying a significant travel time..

lejano🔊A1

Use 'lejano' for a location that is far away in distance, implying a significant travel time.

{ui.learnMore}
remoto🔊A2

Use 'remoto' for places that are physically very far away and often difficult to reach, or for a slight possibility.

{ui.learnMore}
control🔊A2

Use 'control' as a shortened, informal term for a remote control device, typically for electronics.

{ui.learnMore}
alejado🔊A2

Use 'alejado' to describe a place that is distant from a central point, like a city center or a main area.

{ui.learnMore}
distante🔊A2

Use 'distante' for locations that are hard to reach due to their distance.

{ui.learnMore}
aislado🔊B1

Use 'aislado' when a place is cut off or isolated, often due to natural events like weather.

{ui.learnMore}
retirado🔊B2

Use 'retirado' for a location that is secluded or set back, away from busy or central areas.

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

lejano

leh-HAH-noh/leˈxano/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'lejano' for a location that is far away in distance, implying a significant travel time.
A tiny, simple wooden cabin sits very far away on the horizon of a vast, empty, green rolling hill under a bright blue sky.

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-toh/reˈmoto/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'remoto' for places that are physically very far away and often difficult to reach, or for a slight possibility.
A tiny wooden cabin is barely visible at the base of enormous, distant mountains, emphasizing physical remoteness.

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.)

control

/kon-trol//konˈtɾol/

nounA2informal
Use 'control' as a shortened, informal term for a remote control device, typically for electronics.
A simple, gray, rectangular remote control device with three large, colorful buttons resting on a plush sofa cushion.

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.

alejado

/ah-leh-HAH-doh//aleˈxaðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'alejado' to describe a place that is distant from a central point, like a city center or a main area.
A storybook illustration showing a tiny, simple red house situated far away on a wide, green grassy plain under a clear blue sky.

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-teh//disˈtante/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'distante' for locations that are hard to reach due to their distance.
A small house on a distant hill with a long winding path leading to it.

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'.

aislado

eye-SLAH-doh/ai̯sˈlaðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'aislado' when a place is cut off or isolated, often due to natural events like weather.
A single small island with one palm tree in the middle of a vast blue ocean.

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.

retirado

reh-tee-RAH-doh/retiˈraðo/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'retirado' for a location that is secluded or set back, away from busy or central areas.
A small, solitary lighthouse stands on a rocky, isolated cliff overlooking a vast, empty ocean.

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.

remoto

reh-MOH-toh/reˈmoto/

adjectiveB1technical
Use 'remoto' in a technical or professional context to describe working from a distance, often from home.
A tiny wooden cabin is barely visible at the base of enormous, distant mountains, emphasizing physical remoteness.

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.)

remoto

reh-MOH-toh/reˈmoto/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'remoto' to describe a possibility that is very slight or unlikely.
A tiny wooden cabin is barely visible at the base of enormous, distant mountains, emphasizing physical remoteness.

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.)

lejano

leh-HAH-noh/leˈxano/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'lejano' to refer to a time period in the past that is far away.
A tiny, simple wooden cabin sits very far away on the horizon of a vast, empty, green rolling hill under a bright blue sky.

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.

Physical Distance vs. Isolation

Learners often confuse words for physical distance. 'Lejano' and 'alejado' are common for general distance. Use 'remoto' for places that are very far and hard to reach, or 'aislado' specifically when a place is cut off. 'Retirado' implies seclusion rather than just distance.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.