Inklingo

How to Say "wasted" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “wasted” is “borracho” — use this informal slang term when someone is drunk, often implying a significant level of intoxication.

borracho🔊A2

Use this informal slang term when someone is drunk, often implying a significant level of intoxication.

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perdido🔊B1

Use this when referring to time or effort that has been spent without any positive result or has been thrown away.

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morado🔊B1

This slang term is used to describe someone who is very drunk or has overindulged, often to the point of feeling ill.

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quemóB2

Use this verb when referring to money, time, or an opportunity that has been spent or used up quickly and carelessly.

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mamado🔊B2

This is a colloquial term for someone who is extremely drunk or intoxicated, often used after a night of heavy drinking.

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ciegos🔊C1

This term describes a state of being extremely drunk or high, often implying a loss of control or impaired judgment.

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perdióA2

Use this verb when something tangible, like money or an object, has been lost and is no longer in possession.

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English → Spanish

borracho

boh-RRAH-cho (The 'rr' is rolled, and 'ch' sounds like the 'ch' in 'church')boˈra.tʃo

adjectiveA2informal slang
Use this informal slang term when someone is drunk, often implying a significant level of intoxication.
A cartoon illustration of a dizzy man stumbling and swaying heavily while walking on a road.

Examples

Después de tres cervezas, él estaba completamente borracho.

After three beers, he was completely drunk.

La viuda se puso borracha en la boda de su hija.

The widow got drunk at her daughter's wedding. (Note: using the feminine form 'borracha')

Los chicos borrachos hicieron mucho ruido en la calle.

The drunk boys made a lot of noise in the street. (Note: using the plural form 'borrachos')

Gender and Number Agreement

Since 'borracho' is an adjective, it must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes. If you describe a woman, use 'borracha'; if you describe a group, use 'borrachos' (masculine/mixed) or 'borrachas' (feminine).

perdido

pehr-DEE-dohpeɾˈdi.ðo

adjectiveB1
Use this when referring to time or effort that has been spent without any positive result or has been thrown away.
A close-up of a pair of hands letting fine, golden sand pour uselessly onto the ground, symbolizing wasted time or effort.

Examples

Discutir sobre eso es tiempo perdido.

Arguing about that is wasted time.

Fue una oportunidad perdida para aprender algo nuevo.

It was a missed opportunity to learn something new.

morado

mo-rah-dohmoˈɾaðo

adjectiveB1slang
This slang term is used to describe someone who is very drunk or has overindulged, often to the point of feeling ill.
A happy person sitting at a table with an empty plate, leaning back and patting their full stomach.

Examples

En la cena de Navidad nos pusimos morados.

At Christmas dinner, we stuffed ourselves.

Me puse morado de tarta en el cumpleaños.

I ate a ton of cake at the birthday party.

Comimos tanto que estamos morados.

We ate so much that we are stuffed.

Becoming Purple

To say you stuffed yourself, use the verb 'ponerse' (to become) + 'morado'. It describes a change in your state.

Literal Translation

quemó

verbB2
Use this verb when referring to money, time, or an opportunity that has been spent or used up quickly and carelessly.

Examples

Quemó todo su sueldo en un solo día.

He blew his entire salary in a single day.

mamado

mah-mah-dohmaˈmaðo

adjectiveB2colloquial
This is a colloquial term for someone who is extremely drunk or intoxicated, often used after a night of heavy drinking.
A person sitting on a stool looking dizzy with several empty glass bottles on the table.

Examples

Llegó a casa totalmente mamado después de la fiesta.

He arrived home totally wasted after the party.

No conduzcas si estás mamado.

Don't drive if you are drunk.

Condition with 'Estar'

Because being drunk is a temporary condition, you should always use 'estar' with this meaning.

Confusion with 'Muscular'

Mistake: “Context: Watching a bodybuilding show in Madrid. '¡Qué mamado está!'”

Correction: While understood, some might think you mean he looks drunk. Use 'fuerte' to be safe in Spain.

ciegos

SYEH-gohsˈsje.ɣos

adjectiveC1informal
This term describes a state of being extremely drunk or high, often implying a loss of control or impaired judgment.
A person looking very dizzy with spinning stars around their head.

Examples

Anoche volvieron a casa totalmente ciegos.

Last night they came home totally wasted.

perdió

verbA2
Use this verb when something tangible, like money or an object, has been lost and is no longer in possession.

Examples

Mi hermana perdió su anillo en la playa.

My sister lost her ring on the beach.

Intoxicated vs. Lost/Spent

The most common mistake is confusing the terms for intoxication (borracho, ciegos, mamado, morado) with those for lost or spent items/time (perdido, perdió, quemó). Always consider if you are talking about a person's state of being or about something being gone or used up.

Related Translations

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