simplificado
/simplifikado/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'dumbed down' is translated into Spanish as simplificado.
The phrase is used to describe something that has been made simpler or easier to understand, often by removing complex details.
Which one should you use?
While simplificado is a neutral way to say 'simplified', it lacks the negative connotation of 'dumbed down' which implies a loss of quality or intelligence. To capture that more negative, pejorative sense of content being made too simple for the masses, you can use vulgarizado. For a colloquial way to ask someone to speak 'in plain terms' or 'in simple words', you can use the phrase en cristiano.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes to simplificada if the noun being described is feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/simplifikado/
Did you know?
- While simplificado is neutral, using the verb rebajar to describe a 'dumbed down' text literally means 'to lower' or 'to discount', as if the information were a product on sale.
- The term vulgarizado derives from the Latin vulgus, meaning 'the common crowd', rather than the modern English association of 'vulgar' with being crude or obscene.
- Using en cristiano can be seen as slightly impatient or critical of the speaker's complexity, similar to saying 'speak English' in an English-speaking country.
Examples in context
- El contenido ha sido simplificado para facilitar la comprensiónThe content has been simplified to facilitate understanding
- Explícamelo en cristiano, que no entiendoExplain it to me in dumbed down terms, I don't understand
- Este programa de televisión mastica tanto la información que insulta al espectadorThis TV show dumbs down the information so much that it insults the viewer
- El texto fue simplificado para los niños.The text was simplified for the children.
- Un concepto complejo que fue simplificado demasiado.A complex concept that was simplified too much.
- El manual está simplificado para principiantes.The manual is simplified for beginners.
Example conversation
María and Javier are reviewing a presentation for a client.
- MaríaJavier, ¿crees que el lenguaje es demasiado técnico?Javier, do you think the language is too technical?
- JavierSí, creo que deberíamos haberlo simplificado más.Yes, I think we should have dumbed it down more.
- MaríaTienes razón, el cliente no es un experto.You're right, the client is not an expert.
- JavierLo corregiré ahora para que sea más claro.I will fix it now to make it clearer.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
