salado
/saˈlado/
The Spanish word for unlucky is salado. If unsure, use salado. Wiktionary also lists basiliqueado.
Meaning: having ill luck (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| salado | /saˈlado/ | |
| basiliqueado | /basilikeado/ (from spelling rules) | Cuba |
The colloquial term salado is used to describe someone who seems to attract bad luck. You can also use the phrase Mala suerte to refer to bad luck itself in both formal and informal contexts.
What does it mean word for word?
The word salado literally means "salty".
Which one should you use?
While salado is a colloquial expression, you can use the formal terms infortunado or desafortunado to express that someone is unlucky or unfortunate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cuba, the term basiliqueado is used to say someone is unlucky.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective salado changes to salada to agree with a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/saˈlado/
Did you know?
- The word salado is a doublet of salario, the word for 'salary'. Both terms share an ancient root linked to the practice of paying workers in salt.
- In some Caribbean cultures, being salado is seen as a spiritual state that can be 'cured' by performing a ritual bath with specific herbs or eggs to remove the salt.
- While salado means 'unlucky' in a colloquial sense, in some Spanish-speaking regions it can also describe someone who is witty, charming or 'spicy' in personality.
Examples in context
- Qué infortunado accidenteWhat an unlucky accident
- Es desafortunado que haya perdido su empleoIt's unfortunate that he lost his job
- Es desafortunado que hayas perdido esa valiosa oportunidad laboralIt's unfortunate that you missed that valuable job opportunity
- ¡Qué mala suerte tienes!What bad luck you have!
- ¡Qué mala suerte que te hayas perdido el concierto!What bad luck that you missed the concert!
- Ha tenido poca suerte en el amorHe has had little luck in love
- Ha tenido poca suerte en los negocios últimamenteHe has had little luck with businesses lately
- Hoy estoy muy salado.Today I am very unlucky.
- Ese jugador es un salado.That player is an unlucky guy.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are talking about a lost ticket.
- DanielPerdí mi boleto de lotería.I lost my lottery ticket.
- LucíaNo puede ser, ¡qué salado eres!No way, how unlucky you are!
- DanielSí, siempre me pasa lo mismo.Yes, the same thing always happens to me.
- LucíaAl menos tienes salud, Daniel.At least you have your health, Daniel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unlucky” translations and entries salado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries salado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
