deshecho
/deˈset͡ʃo/
The Spanish word for 'undone' is deshecho.
deshecho is used to describe something that is not done. While it can be used in a literal sense to mean 'undone' (such as a knot being undone), it is frequently used figuratively to mean 'ruined' or 'destroyed' when referring to a person's state or life.
Meaning: Not done (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
deshecho is the past participle of the verb deshacer, which literally means 'to un-do' or 'to undo'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and various Latin American countries, the phrase a medio hacer is used to indicate something that is left undone or is halfway done.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use deshecha for feminine singular nouns, deshechos for masculine plural nouns and deshechas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/deˈsetʃo/
Did you know?
- The verb deshacer can be used to describe the act of 'melting' something, such as ice or butter. In this context, deshecho refers to something that has physically come apart or liquified.
- Be careful with spelling, as the word deshecho (undone) is often confused with desecho (waste or trash). A single letter 'h' changes the word from a state of being ruined to a pile of garbage.
- The word deshecho is a homophone of de hecho, which means 'in fact' or 'actually'. This can lead to confusion in spoken Spanish if the listener cannot tell if you are describing something as 'undone' or starting a sentence with 'actually'.
Examples in context
- ¿Y nuestra generación? Algunos se han hecho padres, otros se han deshecho y otros no han hecho nada.And our generation? Some have come to be parents, others have come undone, and still others have come to nothing.This sentence shows how deshecho can be used to describe people who have come undone in life.Tatoeba #861315 by alicia, translation #911225 by papabear
- El proyecto está incompletoThe project is undone/incomplete
- La tarea está sin terminarThe task is undone/incomplete
- Todavía queda trabajo por hacerThere is still work undone/incomplete
- Tengo trabajo pendienteI have work undone/incomplete
- Dejé el libro a mediasI left the book undone/half-finished
- La película quedó sin acabarThe movie was left undone/incomplete
- El informe todavía está incompleto. Necesito más tiempo para terminarloThe report is still undone/incomplete. I need more time to finish it
- La construcción del puente está sin terminar debido a los retrasosThe bridge construction is undone/incomplete due to delays
- Tengo tareas pendientes y necesito priorizarlasI have undone/incomplete tasks and need to prioritize them
- Dejé la limpieza a medias porque me llamaronI left the cleaning undone/incomplete because I received a phone call
- El nudo está deshecho.The knot is undone.
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are looking at a craft project.
- MateoMira, el tejido está deshecho.Look, the knitting is undone.
- ElenaTienes razón, Mateo. Hay que repetirlo.You are right, Mateo. We have to redo it.
- Mateo¿Puedes ayudarme a arreglarlo?Can you help me fix it?
- ElenaSí, Elena lo hará ahora.Yes, Elena will do it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “undone” translations and entries deshecho, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
