ordenado
/oɾdeˈnado/
The English word 'neat' is translated into Spanish as ordenado.
ordenado is used to describe things that are tidy, organized or have a simple elegance and style. It is important to distinguish it from limpio, which specifically means 'clean' in the sense of being free from dirt or stains, whereas ordenado focuses on organization and order.
Meaning: having a simple elegance or style, clean, trim, tidy, tasteful (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In different Spanish-speaking regions, the informal sense of 'neat' or 'cool' is expressed using specific words: in the Caribbean, you might use chévere. In Spain, people use guay. In Mexico and parts of Central America, the expression ¡Qué padre! is common. And in South American countries like Peru and Colombia, you will hear ¡Qué bacán! For a general informal way to say something is 'great' or 'neat' anywhere, you can use genial.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective ordenado must agree in both gender and number with the noun it describes. Use ordenada for feminine singular nouns, ordenados for masculine plural nouns and ordenadas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/oɾdeˈnado/
Did you know?
- The word chévere, used in the Caribbean for 'neat' or 'cool', is believed by some linguists to have originated from the English word 'shiver'. It likely entered the vocabulary via sailors and Caribbean port trade.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a person who is overly ordenado might be jokingly called cuadriculado, which literally means 'squared'. This implies they are so tidy and organized that they lack flexibility.
- While ordenado describes a tidy person, if you want to describe a person who is 'neat' in terms of being well-dressed or smart, you might use arreglado.
Examples in context
- Quiero mantener mi cuarto tan ordenado como posible.I want to keep my room as neat as possible.This sentence demonstrates how to use ordenado to describe keeping a room tidy.Tatoeba #836025 by darinmex, translation #264785 by CK
- El documento está muy ordenado.The document is very neat.
- El ejecutivo siempre está pulcro y bien arreglado.The executive always looks neat and well-groomed.
- El trabajo que presentaste es impecable.The work you submitted is impeccable.
- ¡Mira qué chévere está tu nuevo coche!Look how neat your new car is!
- ¡La película que vimos anoche fue genial!The movie we watched last night was great!
- He comprado una camiseta guay en la tienda de moda.I bought a cool t-shirt at the fashion store.
- Tu escritorio está muy ordenado.Your desk is very neat.
- Es un estilo muy ordenado y elegante.It is a very neat and elegant style.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are looking at a newly decorated living room.
- Sofía¡Mira qué ordenado quedó todo!Look how neat everything looks!
- AlejandroSí, Sofía, me encanta el nuevo diseño.Yes, Sofia, I love the new design.
- SofíaTodo se ve muy limpio y ordenado.Everything looks very clean and neat.
- AlejandroTienes razón, se ve muy bien.You are right, it looks very good.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ordenado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
