determinado
/deteɾmiˈnado/
The English word "determined" is translated into Spanish as determinado.
Determinado is used as an adjective to describe someone who is resolute or has made a firm decision. To express that someone is determined to perform a specific action, you typically follow the adjective with the preposition a, as in determinado a.
Meaning: decided or resolute (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may also express determination using the phrase tener empeño en.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, determinado must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use determinada for a feminine singular noun, determinados for a masculine plural or mixed-gender group and determinadas for a feminine plural group.
How do you pronounce it?
/deteɾmiˈnado/
When do people say it?
To intensify the expression of determination, you can use the adverbs absolutamente (absolutely) or firmemente (firmly).
Did you know?
- While determinado means 'resolute', it is also frequently used as a determiner meaning 'certain' or 'specific'. For example, en un momento determinado refers to 'a certain moment' rather than a 'determined moment'.
- The word determinado is borrowed from the Latin dēterminātus, which literally means 'having fixed boundaries'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, instead of saying someone is determinado, you might say they are testarudo, though this carries the negative weight of being 'stubborn' or 'obstinate'.
Examples in context
- Tom está determinado a hacer algo.Tom is determined to do something.This sentence is useful for showing how to use determinado to express a determination to do something.Tatoeba #4553421 by swyter, translation #4552607 by giiraffen
- Soy un hombre determinado. Cuando quiero algo, lo consigo.I'm a determined man. When I want something, I get it.This sentence is useful for describing a person using determinado.Tatoeba #5276553 by ecorralest101, translation #10255438 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Él habrá determinado en qué universidad quiere ingresar.He will have determined which college he wants to go to.This sentence shows the use of the related verb form determinado to describe a decision made regarding a university.Tatoeba #5319989 by mervert1, translation #37480 by AlanF_US
- Estoy decidido a alcanzar mis metasI am determined to achieve my goals
- Voy a enfrentar este desafío con determinaciónI am going to face this challenge with determination
- Estoy resuelto a lograrloI am determined to accomplish it
- Estoy decidido a superar cualquier obstáculoI am determined to overcome any obstacle
- Estoy dispuesto a hacer todo lo necesarioI am determined to do whatever it takes
- Estoy determinado a lograr mis objetivosI am determined to achieve my objectives
- Tengo empeño en conseguirloI am determined to get it
- Estoy absolutamente decidido a conseguirloI am absolutely determined to get it
- Estoy decidido a alcanzar mis sueños y no renunciaré hasta lograrlo.I am determined to achieve my dreams and I won't give up until I succeed.
- Mi hermana está enfocada en terminar su tesis a tiempo, sin importar los obstáculos.My sister is determined to finish her thesis on time, no matter the obstacles.
- Estoy resuelto a hacer todo lo necesario para cambiar esta situación.I am determined to do whatever it takes to change this situation.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are discussing a difficult training goal.
- ElenaEstoy muy determinado a ganar la carrera.I am very determined to win the race.
- AlejandroEso es genial, Elena. Se nota tu esfuerzo.That is great, Elena. Your effort shows.
- Elena¿Tú también te sientes determinado este año?Do you also feel determined this year?
- AlejandroSí, yo también quiero mejorar mi tiempo.Yes, I also want to improve my time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry determinado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries determinado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
