desafortunado
/desafoɾtuˈnado/
The Spanish word for 'unfortunate' is desafortunado.
The adjective desafortunado is used to describe events, situations or people that are marked by or result in misfortune.
Meaning: marked or accompanied by or resulting in misfortune (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix des- (meaning un- or dis-) and afortunado (meaning fortunate).
Which one should you use?
While desafortunado is used to describe an unlucky person or event, the word lamentable is often used instead when describing a situation that is regrettable or deplorable.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, desafortunado must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form desafortunada for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/desafoɾtuˈnado/
Did you know?
- The word 'fortuna' is also the name of a Roman goddess, making the word desafortunado etymologically linked to the concept of a divine personification of luck.
- If you want to say someone is 'unlucky' in a very informal or slang way, you would likely avoid desafortunado and use words like salado instead.
- Spanish distinguishes between desafortunado, meaning unlucky, and desdichado, which implies a deeper, more poetic sense of being wretched or unhappy.
Examples in context
- Fue un error desafortunado.It was an unfortunate mistake.This sentence shows how to use desafortunado to describe a mistake.Tatoeba #5134486 by don_ramon, translation #5134463 by CK
- Fue desafortunado que lloviera ayer.It was unfortunate that it rained yesterday.This sentence demonstrates how to use desafortunado to describe an unfortunate event involving rain.Tatoeba #1207835 by marcelostockle, translation #244558 by CK
- Hubo un desafortunado incidente en casa.There was an unfortunate incident at home.This sentence shows how to use desafortunado to describe an incident.Tatoeba #1207824 by marcelostockle, translation #24265 by CK
- ¡Qué mala suerte! Perdí mi cartera en el autobús.What bad luck! I lost my wallet on the bus.
- Es una lástima que no hayas podido venir a la fiesta.It's a shame you couldn't come to the party.
- Se quedó sin trabajo. ¡Pobre!He lost his job. Poor thing!
- Fue un desafortunado malentendido que ocurrió durante la presentación.It was an unfortunate misunderstanding that happened during the presentation.
- Es triste que no hayan ganado el partido.It's unfortunate that they didn't win the game.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a missed flight.
- ElenaPerdimos el vuelo por el tráfico.We missed the flight because of the traffic.
- JavierEs un hecho muy desafortunado, Elena.It is a very unfortunate fact, Elena.
- Elena¿Cuándo sale el próximo avión?When does the next plane leave?
- JavierSale mañana por la mañana.It leaves tomorrow morning.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unfortunate” translations and entries desafortunado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
