desierto
/deˈsjeɾto/masculine
The English word desert is desierto in Spanish.
The term for a barren area is desierto.
Meaning: barren area (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word desierto functions as both the noun for a barren area and the adjective for something that is abandoned or uninhabited.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of desierto is created by adding -s to the end to make desiertos.
How do you pronounce it?
/deˈsjeɾto/
Did you know?
- The word desierto is a semi-learned borrowing from the Latin dēsertum. Had it evolved naturally through popular speech, it would have likely become disierto.
- In religious contexts, el desierto refers not only to a physical place but to a spiritual state of solitude and fasting, mirroring the biblical tradition of retreating from society.
- In certain legal or historical Spanish contexts, the term desierto was used to describe a position or office that was left vacant and unassigned.
Examples in context
- Fueron para el desierto.They went to the desert.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say someone went to the desert using desierto.Tatoeba #10352482 by JSKabylie, translation #12961982 by mexicanhere
- En el desierto, pienso yo.In the desert, I think.This sentence shows the use of desierto in a reflective context.Tatoeba #5567272 by albrusgher, translation #2206700 by FeuDRenais2
- Esta es una flor del desierto.This is a desert flower.This sentence demonstrates how to describe a flower belonging to the desert using desierto.Tatoeba #5814019 by albrusgher, translation #4362286 by Lepotdeterre
- El Sahara es el desierto más grande del mundoThe Sahara is the largest desert in the world
- Desertar del ejército es un delitoTo desert the army is a crime
- 54 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are planning a hiking trip.
- Elena¿Quieres ir al desierto este verano?Do you want to go to the desert this summer?
- AlejandroSí, me encanta caminar por el desierto.Yes, I love walking through the desert.
- ElenaPero, Alejandro, el desierto es peligroso.But, Alejandro, the desert is dangerous.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, Elena, yo traeré mucha agua.Don't worry, Elena, I will bring plenty of water.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “desert” translations and entries desierto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desierto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
