podrido
/poˈdɾido/
The English phrase "rotten" is translated into Spanish as podrido. Wiktionary also lists estropeado and carcomido.
Meaning: decayed, gone bad (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| podrido | /poˈdɾido/ |
| estropeado | /estɾopeˈado/ |
| carcomido | /kaɾkoˈmido/ |
Podrido is used to describe organic matter that has decayed or gone bad. It can also be used metaphorically to describe corrupt systems or institutions. Note that pudrido/a can specifically mean "putrid".
Which one should you use?
While podrido refers to general decay or rot, carcomido specifically describes something that has been eaten away, often by insects or worms. Estropeado is used for things that are broken, malfunctioning or ruined (like a machine or a plan), whereas podrido is used for organic decay.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective podrido must agree in gender with the noun it modifies, changing to podrida for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/poˈdɾido/
Did you know?
- The phrase podrido de dinero is a common idiom used to describe someone who is filthy rich.
- In Spain, the phrase estar podrido can be used as a colloquial way to say someone is extremely tired or exhausted.
- The word podrido is a 'piecewise doublet' of pútrido, meaning both words come from the same Latin root putrēre but entered the language through different paths.
Examples in context
- Hueles a huevo podrido.You smell like rotten eggs.This sentence is useful for describing a bad smell using podrido.Tatoeba #1021930 by Shishir, translation #9741403 by DJ_Saidez
- El sistema está podrido.The system is rotten.This sentence shows how to use podrido metaphorically regarding a system.Tatoeba #1686566 by Shishir, translation #1669872 by Spamster
- Este plátano está podrido.This banana is rotten.This sentence demonstrates using podrido for rotten food.Tatoeba #1682596 by termito2nd, translation #5111943 by WM3DAS
- El pescado está podrido.The fish is rotten.
- Las naranjas están podridas.The oranges are rotten.
- Los plátanos están podridos.The bananas are rotten.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are in the kitchen looking at food.
- Alejandro¿Está podrido este tomate?Is this tomato rotten?
- SofíaSí, está muy podrido.Yes, it is very rotten.
- AlejandroQué mal, hay que tirarlo.That's too bad, we should throw it away.
- SofíaLo tiraré ahora mismo.I will throw it away right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rotten” translations and entries podrido, estropeado, carcomido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries podrido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
