indocumentado
/indokumenˈtado/
The English word "undocumented" is translated into Spanish as indocumentado in Spanish.
This adjective describes a person who does not have official documentation to enter, reside in or work in a country.
Meaning: (of a person) not having official documentation to enter, reside in, or work in a country (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed using the prefix in-, which functions as a negation similar to the English prefix "un-".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term irregular is more frequently used instead of indocumentado/a.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, indocumentado must agree in gender and number with the person or people it describes. Use the feminine form indocumentada for a woman, the masculine plural indocumentados for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and the feminine plural indocumentadas for a group consisting only of women.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking communities, the term sin papeles, meaning 'without papers', is used as a noun to refer to undocumented people instead of the adjective indocumentado.
- In certain Latin American contexts, using the phrase migrante en situación irregular is considered more respectful and humanizing than using the label indocumentado.
- The Spanish verb documentar is more versatile than its English counterpart 'to document', as it is frequently used by academics to mean providing evidence for a scholarly argument.
Examples in context
- El plan del Presidente requiere que todo el que sea indocumentado corrija su situación legal al pagar sus impuestos y una multa, aprender inglés, y someterse a verificación de sus antecedentes antes de que sea elegible para obtener la ciudadanía.The President’s plan requires anyone who’s undocumented to get right with the law by paying their taxes and a penalty, learning English, and undergoing background checks before they can be eligible to earn citizenship.This sentence is useful for discussing the legal requirements and obligations for an indocumentado.Tatoeba #3651009 by Hybrid, translation #3651012 by Hybrid
- El sistema de inmigración de los Estados Unidos está dañado. Existen muchos empleadores que hacen trampa con el sistema al contratar a trabajadores indocumentados y existen 11 millones de personas viviendo en las sombras. Ninguna de estas opciones es buena para la economía o para el país.America’s immigration system is broken. Too many employers game the system by hiring undocumented workers and there are 11 million people living in the shadows. Neither is good for the economy or the country.This sentence is useful for describing the employment of indocumentado workers within the immigration system.Tatoeba #3651003 by Hybrid, translation #3650998 by Hybrid
- El señor Gómez es un inmigrante sin documentosMr. Gomez is an undocumented immigrant
- La compañía contrató a un trabajador indocumentadoThe company hired an undocumented worker
- Hay muchos inmigrantes ilegales viviendo en el barrioThere are many undocumented immigrants living in the neighborhood
- La policía detuvo a un inmigrante irregular en el aeropuertoThe police detained an undocumented immigrant at the airport
- Muchos trabajadores indocumentados buscan mejores oportunidades.Many undocumented workers seek better opportunities.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing legal aid at a community center.
- SofíaNecesitamos ayuda para el trabajador indocumentado.We need help for the undocumented worker.
- DanielYo puedo buscar un abogado para él.I can look for a lawyer for him.
- Sofía¿Crees que sea un proceso difícil?Do you think it will be a difficult process?
- DanielSí, pero es necesario para su seguridad.Yes, but it is necessary for his safety.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “undocumented” translations and entries indocumentado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
