Inklingo

How to Say "second-hand" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “second-hand” is “usado” — use 'usado' when referring to any item that is not new, meaning it has been previously owned or utilized by someone else, often implying a slightly lower quality or price than a new item.

English → Spanish

usado

oo-SAH-dohuˈsaðo

adjectiveA2general
Use 'usado' when referring to any item that is not new, meaning it has been previously owned or utilized by someone else, often implying a slightly lower quality or price than a new item.
A simple, slightly faded red bicycle resting on a green lawn, illustrating the concept of being second-hand.

Examples

Compramos un coche usado porque era más barato.

We bought a used car because it was cheaper.

Ella vende ropa usada en el mercado.

She sells second-hand clothes at the market.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, 'usado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: 'usado' (masculine singular), 'usada' (feminine singular), 'usados' (masculine plural), and 'usadas' (feminine plural).

Using 'Usado' for People

Mistake: “Using 'usado' to mean 'tired' or 'exhausted' in some contexts.”

Correction: While sometimes understood, use 'cansado' for people who are tired. 'Usado' is best kept for describing objects.

utilizado

u-ti-li-THA-dou.ti.liˈθa.ðo

adjectiveA2general
Choose 'utilizado' when describing an item that has been used before, often emphasizing that it is still in good working condition, similar to 'pre-owned' in English.
A small, slightly worn teddy bear sitting alone on a wooden floor, illustrating an object that has been previously employed or consumed.

Examples

Compramos un coche utilizado, pero está en muy buen estado.

We bought a used car, but it's in very good condition.

El material utilizado para la construcción es reciclado.

The material utilized for the construction is recycled.

Necesitas la herramienta utilizada en el taller.

You need the tool used in the workshop.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, 'utilizado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes. If the noun is feminine (la herramienta), you must say 'utilizada'.

Forgetting Gender Change

Mistake: “La computadora utilizado.”

Correction: La computadora utilizada. Remember that adjectives must agree with the noun they modify.

pasivo

pah-SEE-bohpaˈsiβo

adjectiveB1general
Employ 'pasivo' when referring to abstract concepts like smoke, influence, or attitudes that are indirectly received or experienced from another source, not a physical object.
A person sitting peacefully on a park bench, observing falling leaves without moving.

Examples

Él tiene una actitud muy pasiva ante los problemas.

He has a very passive attitude towards problems.

Ser un fumador pasivo es peligroso para la salud.

Being a second-hand smoker is dangerous for your health.

En esta oración, el sujeto es pasivo porque recibe la acción.

In this sentence, the subject is passive because it receives the action.

Matching the Gender

Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to 'pasiva' when you are describing something feminine, like 'una persona pasiva'.

Choosing 'To Be'

Use 'ser' if you're describing someone's permanent personality (He is a passive person), but use 'estar' if someone is just being inactive in a specific moment.

Confusing with 'Past'

Mistake: “Using 'pasivo' to mean 'the past'.”

Correction: Use 'pasado' for 'the past'. 'Pasivo' only means not taking action.

Usado vs. Utilizado

Learners often confuse 'usado' and 'utilizado' because both mean 'used'. While interchangeable in many cases for items, 'usado' is more common for general pre-owned goods, while 'utilizado' can sometimes imply the item is still in functional use or has been put to service.

Related Translations

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