irrealista
/irealista/from spelling rules
The English word 'unrealistic' can be translated into Spanish as irrealista. Wiktionary also lists irrealístico and no realístico.
Meaning: not realistic (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| irrealista | /irealista/ (from spelling rules) |
| irrealístico | /irealistiko/ (from spelling rules) |
| no realístico | /no ɾealistiko/ (from spelling rules) |
| poco realístico | /poko ɾealistiko/ (from spelling rules) |
The term is used to describe something that is not realistic. Depending on the context, you might also use poco factible to mean 'not very feasible' in certain situations.
What does it mean word for word?
The word irrealista is composed of the prefix ir- (meaning un-) and the root realista (meaning realist).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase poco realista is a common way to express that something is unrealistic in both formal and informal settings.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective irrealista is invariable for gender, meaning it stays the same whether you are describing a masculine or feminine noun. To make it plural, add an -s to form irrealistas to agree with the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
/irealista/
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'unrealistic' for many things, a Spanish speaker using irrealista might actually be making a political judgment. It can imply the person is disconnected from social or political realities rather than just having high hopes.
- The word realista refers not only to a practical person but also to a 19th-century global art movement focused on depicting mundane life.
- In Spanish, the word realista can function as both an adjective and a noun depending on whether it follows an article.
Examples in context
- La propuesta del proyecto es irrealista y no se puede llevar a cabo en el plazo establecido.The project proposal is unrealistic and cannot be carried out within the established deadline.
- Las promesas del político están completamente fuera de la realidad y no deberíamos creerlas.The politician's promises are completely unrealistic, and we shouldn't believe them.
- Es un plan irrealista.It is an unrealistic plan.
- Ese plan de negocios es muy irrealista.That business plan is very unrealistic.
- Sus expectativas sobre el salario son irrealistas.Her expectations regarding the salary are unrealistic.
- No seas tan irrealista con los tiempos de entrega.Don't be so unrealistic with the delivery times.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing a budget for a project.
- LucíaAlejandro, creo que este presupuesto es irrealista.Alejandro, I think this budget is unrealistic.
- AlejandroLo siento, Lucía, ¿por qué lo dices?I'm sorry, Lucía, why do you say that?
- LucíaEs demasiado bajo para este proyecto.It is too low for this project.
- AlejandroTienes razón, voy a revisarlo de nuevo.You are right, I am going to review it again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “unrealistic” translations and entries irrealista, 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.
