Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| oculto | /oˈkulto/ |
| escondido | /eskonˈdido/ |
| recóndito | /reˈkondito/ |
All these terms describe things that are out of sight or not visually apparent. Use escondido when something has been physically placed out of sight. Use oculto for more abstract or concealed concepts. If you are describing something that is hidden by blending into its surroundings, you might use camuflado.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the context and tone: escondido is the most common way to describe something that has been physically hidden by someone. oculto is more formal and is frequently used for abstract ideas, such as 'hidden truths' or 'hidden meanings'. recóndito is a literary term used for places that are not just hidden, but also remote, secluded or deeply tucked away from civilization.
How does it change in a sentence?
The words escondido and oculto must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. For example, escondido can change to escondida, escondidos or escondidas. Additionally, escondido can function as an adjective or as the past participle of the verb esconder (to hide).
How do you pronounce it?
/oˈkulto/
Did you know?
- The word escondido comes from the Latin abscondō, which is the root of the English word 'abscond', meaning to leave secretly to avoid detection.
- While oculto means 'hidden', it is also used in Spanish to describe 'occult' practices, such as magic or the supernatural, because both refer to things hidden from ordinary sight.
- While escondido is used for physical hiding, the related verb esconderse is used in a specific idiomatic way to describe someone who is 'laying low' to avoid the law or a debt.
Examples in context
- ¿Has escondido el dinero?Have you hidden the money?This sentence uses escondido to ask if someone has performed the action of hiding money.Tatoeba #7931223 by arh, translation #8292497 by lunchmeat317
- Estoy oculto en la despensa.I'm hidden in the pantry.This sentence uses oculto to describe a person's location.Tatoeba #9050260 by rafaeldejesus8199, translation #9050261 by rafaeldejesus8199
- Está escondido debajo de la cama.It's hidden under the bed.This sentence uses escondido to describe an object's location under a bed.Tatoeba #1868683 by Shishir, translation #1864531 by Spamster
- El tesoro está escondido en la cueva.The treasure is hidden in the cave.
- Los documentos confidenciales están ocultos en la caja fuerte.The confidential documents are hidden in the safe.
- El jardín es secreto y solo los residentes conocen su ubicación.The garden is hidden, and only the residents know its location.
- El animal está camuflado entre las hojas.The animal is hidden among the leaves.
- Los piratas escondieron el tesoro en una isla desierta.The pirates hid the treasure on a deserted island.
- La joyería tiene una caja fuerte oculta en el sótano.The jewelry store has a hidden safe in the basement.
- La cascada está escondida en medio de la selva.The waterfall is hidden in the middle of the jungle.
- El camaleón se camufla entre las ramas de los árboles.The chameleon blends in among the tree branches.
- Descubrieron una cueva secreta en lo más profundo de la montaña.They discovered a secret cave deep in the mountain.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are looking for a lost ring in a garden.
- AlejandroNo encuentro el anillo por ninguna parte.I can't find the ring anywhere.
- SofíaTal vez esté oculto bajo las hojas.Maybe it is hidden under the leaves.
- Alejandro¡Mira! Lo encontré cerca de la piedra.Look! I found it near the stone.
- SofíaQué alivio que apareciera finalmente.What a relief that it finally appeared.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hidden” translations and entries oculto, escondido, recóndito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escondido, oculto, recóndito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
