imprudente
/impɾuˈdente/
The English word reckless is translated into Spanish as imprudente.
The adjective imprudente describes someone who is careless, heedless or rash. It is specifically used to describe a lack of caution or poor judgment. While it covers the general sense of being reckless, it is distinct from being merely messy or disorganized, which would be described as descuidado.
Meaning: careless or heedless, headstrong or rash (adj)
Which one should you use?
If you want to describe someone as a daredevil or someone whose recklessness is dangerously rash, you might use temerario instead. If you simply mean that someone is being messy or lacks organization, use descuidado rather than imprudente.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun form of this adjective is imprudencia, which translates to recklessness or imprudence.
How do you pronounce it?
/impɾuˈdente/
Did you know?
- In a courtroom or traffic court, the noun imprudencia is the specific term used to categorize criminal negligence.
- The word imprudente is built from the Latin root for 'foresight', meaning a reckless person is literally someone who lacks the ability to see ahead.
- While imprudente is a cognate of the English 'imprudent', the word 'imprudent' is quite rare in everyday English, whereas imprudente is a very common way to say 'reckless'.
Examples in context
- Tom es un conductor imprudente.Tom is a reckless driver.This sentence illustrates the use of imprudente to describe a driver.Tatoeba #1306108 by marcelostockle, translation #1025154 by CK
- Éramos bastante imprudentes.We were pretty reckless.This sentence shows how to use the adjective to describe a group of people.Tatoeba #10093048 by manufrutos, translation #10087299 by ddnktr
- ¡Ese chico es realmente imprudente! Conduce a altas velocidades sin usar el cinturón de seguridad.That boy is really reckless! He drives at high speeds without using his seat belt.
- Lucía subió a la montaña rusa sin pensarlo dos veces. ¡Es temeraria!Lucía got on the roller coaster without thinking twice. She's reckless!
- El conductor descuidado causó el accidente al no respetar las señales de tránsito.The reckless driver caused the accident by not respecting the traffic signs.
- La compañía tomó una decisión poco prudente al invertir tanto dinero sin investigar adecuadamente.The company made a reckless decision by investing so much money without proper research.
- El alpinista se aventuró a escalar la montaña en una tormenta. ¡Fue una acción realmente arriesgada!The mountaineer ventured to climb the mountain during a storm. It was a truly reckless action!
- Tomar decisiones irreflexivas puede llevar a consecuencias negativas e inevitables.Making reckless decisions may lead to negative and unavoidable consequences.
- Carlos saltó desde el acantilado sin considerar los peligros. ¡Es completamente insensato!Carlos jumped off the cliff without considering the dangers. He's completely reckless!
- No seas tan imprudente con tu dinero.Don't be so reckless with your money.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are discussing Mateo's recent driving habits.
- LucíaMateo, has estado conduciendo de forma muy imprudente.Mateo, you have been driving very recklessly.
- MateoLo siento, Lucía, no me di cuenta.I am sorry, Lucía, I didn't realize.
- LucíaEs peligroso para ti y para los demás.It is dangerous for you and for others.
- MateoTienes razón, tendré más cuidado.You are right, I will be more careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry imprudente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries imprudente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
