despreocupado
/despɾeokupado/from spelling rules
The English word nonchalant is translated into Spanish as despreocupado.
despreocupado describes someone who is casually calm and relaxed. You can use the informal term relajado/a to describe someone who is both relaxed and nonchalant. In more formal contexts, if you want to describe someone who remains composed and undisturbed, the synonym imperturbable is appropriate. Note that while despreocupado implies a carefree state, it is different from indiferente, which is used when someone shows a lack of interest or concern toward something specific.
Meaning: casually calm and relaxed (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, despreocupado must agree with the noun it describes. Use despreocupada to agree with a feminine singular noun, despreocupados to agree with a masculine plural noun and despreocupadas to agree with a feminine plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/despɾeokupado/
Did you know?
- The root of despreocupado contains the word ocupar, which means 'to occupy' or 'to fill'. Literally, being nonchalant means you are 'un-occupied' by worry.
- While despreocupado is often positive, calling someone descarado to describe their nonchalance can be an insult meaning 'shameless' or 'brazen'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, being despreocupado regarding appointments is viewed as a broad cultural trait rather than a personal flaw.
Examples in context
- El director de la empresa se mostró despreocupado ante los rumores de recortes de personal.The company director appeared nonchalant in the face of rumors of layoffs.
- A pesar de las dificultades, el diplomático se mantuvo imperturbable durante la conferencia de prensa.Despite the difficulties, the diplomat remained nonchalant during the press conference.
- Aquel caballero de traje impecable y mirada serena caminaba por la ciudad como si no tuviera ninguna preocupación en el mundo.That gentleman in the impeccable suit and serene gaze walked through the city as if he had not a care in the world.
- Ese chico siempre anda por la vida con una actitud chida, nada parece afectarle.That guy always goes through life with a cool attitude, nothing seems to bother him.
- Él es un hombre muy despreocupado.He is a very nonchalant man.
- Parece un hombre muy despreocupado.He seems like a very nonchalant man.
- Ella tiene un estilo despreocupado.She has a nonchalant style.
- Hoy me siento muy despreocupado.Today I feel very carefree and relaxed.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a coworker's reaction to a mistake.
- SofíaAlejandro cometió un error grave en el informe.Alejandro made a serious mistake in the report.
- AlejandroSí, pero él sigue muy despreocupado.Yes, but he remains very nonchalant.
- Sofía¿Cómo puede estar tan tranquilo?How can he be so calm?
- AlejandroNo sé, nunca se estresa por nada.I don't know, he never gets stressed about anything.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
