Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| desesperado | /desespeˈɾado/ |
| que necesita desesperadamente | /ke neθesita desespeɾadamente/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /ke nesesita desespeɾadamente/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
In Spanish, desesperado is used to describe someone in dire need of something. It is also frequently used to describe a person who is feeling hopeless or despairing.
What does it mean word for word?
The word desesperado contains the prefix des-, which functions as a negation meaning 'un-' or 'without'. This implies a state of being 'without hope'.
Which one should you use?
While desesperado can mean being in dire need, it is also used to express the sense of losing hope or being in a state of despair. You may also use the phrase que necesita desesperadamente to specifically indicate that someone is in dire need of something.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, one way to express being desperate is to use the phrase estar desesperado/a de remate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use desesperado for masculine singular, desesperada for feminine singular, desesperados for masculine plural and desesperadas for feminine plural. The word angustiado/a is also a suitable alternative for 'desperate'.
How do you pronounce it?
/desespeˈɾado/
Did you know?
- The Spanish suffix -mente used in desesperadamente is derived from the Latin word for 'mind'.
- Spanish speakers may use angustiado to express a physical sensation of tightness in the chest, whereas desesperado focuses on the loss of hope.
- Unlike English, which uses 'desperate' to mean 'very eager' (like 'desperate for a drink'), desesperado often carries a heavier weight of actual tragedy or ruin.
Examples in context
- Tom parece estar desesperado.Tom seems desperate.This sentence is useful for describing how Tom appears.Tatoeba #2435330 by Shishir, translation #2237690 by CK
- Estaba desesperado por escapar.He was desperate to escape.This sentence is useful for showing a desire to escape.Tatoeba #2900079 by cueyayotl, translation #301979 by CM
- Tiempos desesperados exigen medidas desesperadas.Desperate times call for desperate measures.This sentence is useful for illustrating how desperate times require certain measures.Tatoeba #4555003 by swyter, translation #2193580 by darinmex
- Estoy desesperado por encontrar trabajoI am desperate to find a job
- Me siento sumamente angustiada por la situaciónI feel extremely distressed about the situation
- La empresa se encuentra en un estado crítico y necesita urgentemente financiamientoThe company is in a desperate state and urgently needs financing
- La falta de agua está rayando en la desesperación en esta comunidadThe lack of water is reaching a point of desperation in this community
- Estoy desesperado de remate por este problemaI am extremely desperate about this problem
- Me siento angustiado/a por esta situación difícilI feel desperate about this difficult situation
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are discussing a job seeker.
- SofíaÉl parece un hombre desesperado.He seems like a desperate man.
- MateoSí, está desesperado por conseguir trabajo.Yes, he is desperate to get a job.
- Sofía¿Crees que es desesperado?Do you think he is desperate?
- MateoNo, solo tiene mucha necesidad.No, he is just in great need.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “desperate” translations and entries desesperado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries desesperadamente, desesperado, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
