desatendido
/desatendido/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'underserved' is translated into Spanish as desatendido.
desatendido is used to mean 'underserved' or 'neglected'.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. The form changes from desatendido to desatendida for feminine nouns. The form changes to desatendidos when describing a group of people or objects that are masculine or mixed-gender.
How do you pronounce it?
/desatendido/
Did you know?
- The verb desatender can also mean 'to disregard' or 'to ignore' a piece of advice or a formal order.
- While 'underserved' in English often describes systemic economic gaps, calling a person desatendido in Spanish can sound like you are accusing a caregiver of neglecting them personally.
- Spanish often uses the phrase zonas vulnerables (vulnerable zones) as a softer, more common euphemism for 'underserved areas' in government reports.
Examples in context
- Una población desatendidaAn underserved population
- El sistema de salud está mal atendido en estas áreas.The health system is underserved in these areas.
- Esta zona sufre un déficit de servicios educativos.This area suffers a deficit of educational services.
- El barrio ha sido poco atendido por las autoridades.The neighborhood has been underserved by the authorities.
- Esta comunidad está carente de servicios básicos.This community is underserved in basic services.
- Este sector de la ciudad está desatendido.This sector of the city is underserved.
- Es un grupo muy desatendido por el gobierno.It is a group that is very underserved by the government.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing urban planning.
- AlejandroHay muchos barrios desatendidos en esta zona.There are many underserved neighborhoods in this area.
- LucíaSí, Lucía está de acuerdo con eso.Yes, Lucía agrees with that.
- Alejandro¿Cómo podemos mejorar el acceso a los servicios?How can we improve access to services?
- LucíaDebemos crear nuevos centros comunitarios.We should create new community centers.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
