Inklingo

How to Say "unlucky" in Spanish

English → Spanish

desafortunado

/de-sah-for-too-NAH-doh//desafortuˈnaðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'desafortunado' to describe someone or something experiencing a general lack of good fortune, often in a more formal or literary context, or when contrasting bad luck with good luck.
A person holding a broken umbrella in the rain while a small dark cloud hovers only over them.

Examples

El equipo se sintió desafortunado por la derrota a pesar de jugar bien.

The team felt unlucky about the defeat despite playing well.

Él es un hombre desafortunado en el juego, pero afortunado en el amor.

He is an unlucky man in gambling, but lucky in love.

Fue un encuentro desafortunado que cambió sus planes.

It was an unfortunate encounter that changed her plans.

Matching the word

This word changes its ending to match the person or thing you are describing. Use 'desafortunado' for masculine nouns and 'desafortunada' for feminine nouns.

The 'Un-' Trap

Mistake: “unfortunado”

Correction: desafortunado

adjectiveB1informal
Use 'desgraciado' to describe someone who is in a pitiable state due to extreme bad luck or misfortune, often implying a sense of suffering or being wretched.

Examples

Los desgraciados no tenían nada después del incendio.

The unfortunate souls had nothing after the fire.

Choosing between 'desafortunado' and 'desgraciado'

Learners often confuse 'desafortunado' and 'desgraciado' because both relate to bad luck. 'Desafortunado' is more general and neutral, while 'desgraciado' carries a stronger sense of pity or wretchedness, often implying a more severe or pitiable situation.

Related Translations

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