Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| insensible | /insenˈsible/ |
| insensitivo | /insensitibo/ (from spelling rules) |
| falto de sensibilidad | /falto de sensibilidad/ (from spelling rules) |
The term 'insensitive' in Spanish refers to someone who is not having normal emotional feelings, is cold, tactless or undiplomatic. You can use falto de sensibilidad to describe a person's character or a specific action. In some Latin American countries, the slang mala onda can be used to mean 'being insensitive' or 'having a bad attitude'.
Which one should you use?
While insensible is the most common way to say 'insensitive' regarding a lack of empathy, it can also mean 'unconscious' or 'numb' in a physical sense. In contrast, insensitivo is typically used in a technical or physiological context to describe a lack of sensitivity to a stimulus, rather than a lack of empathy.
How do you pronounce it?
/insenˈsible/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use insensitivo to describe a person's cold personality, whereas insensible is the standard term for a lack of emotional tact.
Did you know?
- The phrase mala onda, often used for someone 'insensitive', literally translates to 'bad wave'.
- The root of sensibilidad traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *sent-der, which is the ancestor of the English word 'sentient'.
- In some regions, mala onda is so common that it is used as a general adjective for anything unpleasant, not just insensitive people.
Examples in context
- No quiero parecer insensible.I don't want to seem insensitive.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire not to appear insensitive using insensible.Tatoeba #6818063 by albrusgher, translation #2361563 by CK
- ¿Cómo puedes ser tan insensible?How can you be so insensitive?This sentence is useful for asking how someone can be so insensitive using insensible.Tatoeba #6818043 by albrusgher, translation #6710831 by CK
- ¿Cómo Tom puede ser tan insensible?How could Tom be so insensitive?This sentence is useful for asking how Tom can be so insensitive using insensible.Tatoeba #6818040 by albrusgher, translation #6091058 by CK
- Su comentario fue insensible hacia las víctimas.His comment was insensitive towards the victims.
- Tuviste una respuesta emocionalmente embotada ante su situación.You had a emotionally numb response to her situation.
- El comportamiento del político fue falto de sensibilidad hacia los desfavorecidos.The politician's behavior was lacking sensitivity towards the underprivileged.
- ¡No puedo creer que dijeras eso! Fue muy desconsiderado.I can't believe you said that! It was very thoughtless.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are discussing a coworker's recent behavior.
- Javier¿Viste cómo reaccionó ante la noticia?Did you see how he reacted to the news?
- SofíaSí, fue muy insensible con ella.Yes, he was very insensitive to her.
- JavierEs un hombre bastante frío.He is quite a cold man.
- SofíaRealmente no tiene tacto.He really has no tact.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “insensitive” translations and entries insensible, insensitivo, 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 de, falto, insensible, sensibilidad, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
