descuidar
/deskwiˈdaɾ/
The English verb 'neglect' can be translated into Spanish as descuidar. Wiktionary also lists negligir.
Meaning: fail to care for (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| descuidar | /deskwiˈdaɾ/ |
| negligir | /neɡliˈxiɾ/ |
The standard way to say 'to neglect' is descuidar, which is used when one fails to care for tasks, health, appearance or responsibilities. The reflexive form descuidarse is commonly used to describe someone who has let their appearance or personal hygiene slip. You may also use the related nouns negligencia to describe an act of neglecting or a habitual lack of care, and abandono to describe an act of neglecting.
Which one should you use?
While descuidar is the common verb used for a lack of care or attention, negligir is another form available for this meaning.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of descuidar is descuidado, which is frequently used as an adjective meaning 'neglected' or 'careless'.
How do you pronounce it?
/deskwiˈdaɾ/
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb cuidar comes from the Latin 'cogitāre', which originally meant 'to think' or 'to consider' before evolving into 'to care'.
- In Spanish, the word cuidado, derived from the same root as descuidar, is used as a warning meaning 'watch out' or 'be careful'.
- The term negligencia is frequently used in Spanish medical and legal terminology to refer to 'malpractice'.
Examples in context
- No puedes darte el lujo de descuidar tu salud.You can't afford to neglect your health.This sentence shows how to use descuidar in the context of health.Tatoeba #702384 by darinmex, translation #16048 by Swift
- debido a su descuido con las tareas asignadasdue to their neglect with assigned tasks
- desatender una obligaciónto neglect an obligation
- desatender su saludto neglect one's health
- dejar de lado los problemasto neglect problems
- dejar de lado una relaciónto neglect a relationship
- olvidarse del deberto neglect one's duty
- olvidarse de alimentarseto neglect to eat
- El autor descuidó los detalles de su argumentoThe author neglected the details of his argument.
- No debes desatender tus responsabilidades laboralesYou should not neglect your work responsibilities.
- Siempre te dejo de lado cuando estoy ocupadoI always neglect you when I'm busy.
- Olvidarse de sí mismo es un acto de negligenciaNeglecting oneself is an act of negligence.
- No puedo permitirme descuidar mi saludI can't afford to neglect my health.
- No debes descuidar tus tareas escolares.You should not neglect your schoolwork.
- El jardinero no quiere descuidar las plantas.The gardener does not want to neglect the plants.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing their new pet cat.
- DanielTenemos que alimentar al gato todos los días.We have to feed the cat every day.
- SofíaTienes razón, no podemos descuidar a nuestra mascota.You are right, we cannot neglect our pet.
- DanielÉl es parte de nuestra familia ahora.He is part of our family now.
- SofíaLo cuidaremos muy bien, Daniel.We will take very good care of him, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “neglect” translations and entries descuidar, negligir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries descuidar, negligir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
