hiperactivo
/ipeɾaɡtibo/from spelling rules
The Spanish word for hyper is hiperactivo.
hiperactivo is an informal term used to describe someone who is overly active or excited. When describing a person's state of being hyperactive, it is common to use the verb estar.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed using the prefix hiper-, which is a direct cognate of the English prefix 'hyper-' and means 'over' or 'excessive'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the person being described. Use hiperactiva for a female, hiperactivos for a masculine plural group and hiperactivas for a group of only females. You can also add the diminutive suffix -ito or -ita to the adjective to make the term sound cuter or more endearing.
How do you pronounce it?
/ipeɾaɡtibo/
Did you know?
- In various Latin American dialects, saying someone is como una antena or como un motor can be a colorful way to describe the same state as being hiperactivo.
- Spanish has a specific word, inquieto, which describes the restless energy of a child, often serving as a more natural alternative to the clinical hiperactivo in daily conversation.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone hiperactivo can sound more like a clinical diagnosis than a casual observation compared to the English 'hyper'.
Examples in context
- Mi sobrino está eufórico después de ganar el juego de fútbolMy nephew is hyper after winning the soccer game
- El atleta estaba alterado de emoción después de ganar la competenciaThe athlete was hyper with excitement after winning the competition
- Anoche mi hermana pequeña estaba hiper y no lograba dormirseLast night, my little sister was hyper and couldn't fall asleep
- Luis llegó a casa muy agitado después del concierto de rockLuis came home all hyped up after the rock concert
- ¡Estoy súper emocionado/a porque mañana nos vamos de vacaciones!I'm super excited because we're going on vacation tomorrow!
- El niño está muy hiperactivo hoyThe child is very hyperactive today
- Mi perro está muy hiperactivo hoy.My dog is very hyper today.
- Ese niño es demasiado hiperactivo.That boy is too hyperactive.
- Pareces un poco hiperactivo con tanta cafeína.You seem a bit hyper with so much caffeine.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are watching a child play in the living room.
- DanielMira a tu hijo, está hiperactivo.Look at your son, he is hyper.
- ElenaSí, Elena cree que es por el chocolate.Yes, Elena thinks it is because of the chocolate.
- DanielDebería descansar un poco.He should rest a bit.
- ElenaTienes razón, Daniel.You are right, Daniel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hiperactivo, 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.
