sordo
/ˈsoɾdo/masculine
The Spanish word for deaf person is sordo.
sordo is used to refer to someone who is deaf. This word functions as both a noun, meaning a deaf person and an adjective, meaning deaf.
Meaning: deaf person – translation entry (noun)
Which one should you use?
While sordo/a can be used as an adjective to describe someone's state, it is also a common noun to identify a person. In some regions, you may encounter the informal terms mudo or muda to refer to deaf individuals, though these specifically mean mute.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number. The feminine form is sorda. To refer to a group of deaf people, use the masculine plural sordos for a mixed-gender group or a group of men. If the group consists only of women, use the feminine plural sordas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsoɾdo/
Did you know?
- The English mathematical term 'surd' is a distant relative of sordo, as both trace back to the Latin 'surdus'.
- The term sordo can be used in the idiom hacerse el sordo, which means to pretend not to hear someone to avoid a request.
- In Spanish, sordo is used to describe things that are muffled or dampened, such as a 'sordo' thud or a 'sordo' color.
Examples in context
- La persona sorda necesita un intérprete en la reuniónThe deaf person needs an interpreter at the meeting
- La persona con discapacidad auditiva utiliza lengua de señasThe person with hearing impairment uses sign language
- La persona con problemas de audición usa audífonosThe person with hearing problems uses hearing aids
- Mi amigo es sordoMy friend is deaf
- La inclusión educativa es fundamental para una persona sorda.Inclusive education is essential for a deaf person.
- Es importante que los servicios de emergencia puedan comunicarse con una persona sorda.It's important that emergency services can communicate with a deaf person.
- Las personas con discapacidad auditiva tienen derecho a recibir apoyo en el lugar de trabajo.People with hearing impairment have the right to receive support in the workplace.
- Es esencial que los medios de comunicación sean accesibles para las personas con discapacidad auditiva.It's essential for the media to be accessible to people with hearing impairment.
- Conocí a un chico sordo en la conferencia de inclusión.I met a deaf guy at the inclusion conference.
- Mi amiga es sorda de nacimiento y usa lengua de señas para comunicarse.My friend is deaf from birth and uses sign language to communicate.
- El sordo no pudo oír la campana.The deaf person could not hear the bell.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are talking about a new coworker.
- MaríaMira, el nuevo colega es sordo.Look, the new colleague is a deaf person.
- MateoNo sabía que Mateo era sordo.I didn't know Mateo was a deaf person.
- MaríaSí, él usa lengua de señas.Yes, he uses sign language.
- MateoVoy a aprender algunas señas.I am going to learn some signs.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “deaf person” translations and entries sordo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sordo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
