Which one should you use?
While apagado is the standard term for electronics or lights being off, it also carries the meaning of being extinguished or dull when referring to a person's temperament.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, the word may be shortened to apagao during informal conversations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use apagada for feminine singular nouns, such as la luz and use apagados for masculine or mixed plural nouns. For feminine plural nouns, use apagadas.
How do you pronounce it?
/apaˈɡado/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse apagado with desconectado. Use apagado specifically for devices that are powered down or lights that are out, whereas desconectado refers to being disconnected or unplugged from a power source.
Did you know?
- The word apagado comes from the verb apagar, which literally means 'to put out' or 'to extinguish', linking electronic switches to the act of quenching a fire.
- The opposite of apagado is encendido, which shares a root with 'fire' and 'ignition', mirroring the 'extinguish' logic of apagado.
- In some contexts, describing a piece of music or a color as apagado suggests it is muted, dull, or lacking brightness.
Examples in context
- Mi celular estaba apagado.My cell phone was off.This sentence shows how to describe a cell phone being off using apagado.Tatoeba #1488978 by marcelostockle, translation #1488117 by arnxy20
- ¿Por qué has apagado la luz?Why did you turn off the light?This sentence demonstrates the use of the verb form related to apagado to ask about turning off a light.Tatoeba #6692100 by arh, translation #6691859 by CK
- No recuerdo haber apagado las luces.I don't remember turning off the lights.This sentence uses the form related to apagado to discuss the action of turning off lights.Tatoeba #10317548 by Seael, translation #6659733 by CK
- El televisor está apagadoThe TV is off
- ¿Podría dejar el enchufe desconectado por favor?Could you leave the plug off, please?
- El ordenador está apagadoThe computer is off
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Alejandro are looking for a computer that is not working.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿está la computadora encendida?Alejandro, is the computer on?
- AlejandroNo, el equipo está apagado.No, the equipment is off.
- MaríaIntenta encenderla ahora, por favor.Try to turn it on now, please.
- AlejandroSigue apagado, creo que no hay luz.It stays off, I think there is no power.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “off” translations and entries apagado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
