Inklingo

How to Say "spent" in Spanish

English → Spanish

pasó

verbB1
Use this when describing how a period of time, such as a vacation, a weekend, or a specific day, has been used or passed.

Examples

Ella pasó el fin de semana en las montañas.

She spent the weekend in the mountains.

matado

mah-TAH-doh/maˈtaðo/

adjectiveB1informal
Use this figurative adjective when you feel completely exhausted or worn out, often due to physical or mental exertion.
A storybook illustration of a student completely exhausted, slumped over a wooden desk with their eyes closed.

Examples

Llegué a casa matado después del turno de diez horas.

I got home exhausted after the ten-hour shift.

Mi hermana está matada con los exámenes finales; no ha dormido bien.

My sister is worn out from final exams; she hasn't slept well.

Masculine vs. Feminine

Since this is an adjective, make sure it matches the person you are describing: 'Estoy matado' (if male) or 'Estoy matada' (if female).

Using 'ser' instead of 'estar'

Mistake: “Soy matado.”

Correction: Estoy matado. Use 'estar' because exhaustion is a temporary state, not a permanent characteristic.

terminado

/ter-mee-NAH-doh//teɾ.miˈna.ðo/

adjectiveB2informal
This adjective is used figuratively to mean 'exhausted' or 'done for,' similar to 'matado,' often after a long period of intense activity.
A cartoonish figure lying flat on their back on the ground, completely motionless and wiped out after a long effort.

Examples

Después de trabajar 12 horas, estoy terminado.

After working 12 hours, I'm exhausted.

Este coche está terminado, no creo que arranque.

This car is finished, I don't think it will start.

Las chicas llegaron terminadas del viaje.

The girls arrived worn out from the trip.

Describing a State of Being

Just like when it means 'finished', this meaning uses the verb 'estar' because being exhausted is a temporary state. 'Estoy terminado' (I'm exhausted).

perdidas

/per-DEE-dahs//peɾˈðiðas/

adjectiveB1
Use this adjective to describe time that has been wasted or passed without achieving anything useful.
A high-quality storybook illustration of a melting ice cream cone on the ground.

Examples

Fueron tres horas perdidas en el tráfico.

It was three hours wasted in traffic.

Exhausted vs. Time Passed

The most common mistake is confusing the Spanish words for being exhausted ('matado', 'terminado') with the verb for how time has passed ('pasó'). Remember, 'pasó' refers to the duration or passage of time, not a person's feeling of tiredness.

Related Translations

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