paria
/ˈpaɾja/feminine, masculine
The English word 'outcast' can be translated into Spanish as paria, apestado or marginado.
Meaning: someone excluded from a society or system, a pariah, a leper (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| paria | /ˈpaɾja/ | feminine, masculine |
| apestado | /apesˈtado/ | masculine |
| marginado | /maɾxiˈnado/ | masculine |
The terms are used to describe individuals who are excluded from a society or system, such as a pariah or a leper.
Which one should you use?
Paria and apestado imply active social rejection or being shunned by others. In contrast, marginado is used in a sociological context to describe people who are marginalized or pushed to the edges of society.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word paria can be used as either a masculine or feminine noun. Apestado is the masculine form, while its feminine form is apestada. Marginado is the masculine form, while its feminine form is marginada.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpaɾja/
Did you know?
- The word paria traces its roots back to the drum-beaters of ancient India. It originates from the Tamil word for 'drum', which was the instrument used by the social group that eventually became the lowest caste.
- The verb apestar can also be used colloquially to mean that something is 'stinky' or 'rotten' in a non-social sense, such as a bad smell in a room.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone el apestado is a powerful way to describe the 'invisible wall' people build around someone they refuse to touch.
Examples in context
- Ella se siente marginadaShe feels like an outcast.
- La chica se siente desplazada en su nueva escuelaThe girl feels like an outcast in her new school.
- Es un desadaptado socialHe is a social outcast.
- El marginado de la sociedad busca un lugar donde encajar.The outcast from society is looking for a place to fit in.
- El rechazado por su familia se encuentra sin apoyo.The outcast from his family finds himself without support.
- El desadaptado lucha por encajar en su entorno.The outcast struggles to fit into their environment.
- El apestado intenta superar la discriminación y demostrar su valía.The outcast tries to overcome discrimination and prove their worth.
- Él era un paria en su antigua ciudad.He was an outcast in his old city.
- No quiero ser una paria en este grupo.I don't want to be an outcast in this group.
- El personaje de la película es un paria social.The movie character is a social outcast.
Example conversation
María and Javier are discussing a former friend who was excluded from their social circle.
- MaríaPobre Luis, ahora es un paria en el grupo.Poor Luis, now he is an outcast in the group.
- JavierEs verdad, nadie lo invita a salir.It's true, nobody invites him out.
- María¿Crees que deberíamos hablar con él?Do you think we should talk to him?
- JavierSí, no es justo que se sienta así.Yes, it's not fair that he feels that way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “outcast” translations and entries paria, apestado, marginado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apestado, marginado, paria, CC BY-SA 4.0.
