estado impecable
/estado impekable/from spelling rules
The English phrase "mint condition" is translated into Spanish as estado impecable.
In Spanish, estado impecable is used to describe an item that is in perfect condition and looks as if it were brand new. When you are describing an object, you typically use the preposition en (in) before the phrase, such as El coche está en estado impecable.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of estado (state/condition) and impecable (impeccable/flawless).
Which one should you use?
While estado impecable is a standard way to express this, you can also use como nuevo (like new) to convey the same meaning. Como nuevo is slightly more colloquial than estado impecable.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because estado is a masculine noun, the adjective impecable remains the same, but if you used a feminine noun like condición, you would say condición impecable.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'mint' to evoke a coin factory, a Spanish speaker would find the phrase estado de la menta nonsensical, as 'mint' in Spanish refers only to the herb or the color.
- The word impecable comes from the Late Latin 'impeccabilis', which carries the heavy connotation of being 'without sin'.
- While impecable describes physical perfection, it is also used in Spanish to describe a person's moral character or professional conduct.
Examples in context
- ¿Tiene algún producto en perfecto estado?Do you have any products in mint condition?
- El coche está en un estado impecable.The car is in mint condition.
- Este libro antiguo se encuentra en estado impecable.This antique book is in mint condition.
- Compré una cámara en estado impecable.I bought a camera in mint condition.
Example conversation
Alejandro is selling a camera to Lucía.
- AlejandroMira, la cámara está en estado impecable.Look, the camera is in mint condition.
- LucíaParece que nunca la has usado.It looks like you've never used it.
- AlejandroSí, siempre la cuidé mucho, Lucía.Yes, I always took great care of it, Lucía.
- LucíaPerfecto, me la llevo entonces.Perfect, I'll take it then.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estado, impecable, CC BY-SA 4.0.
