Spanish Conversation · Level 4
87 words
Spanish word
mísero
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈmiseɾo/
Meaning
- adjectivemiserable
Example
La situación es mísera.
The situation is miserable.
More examples
Este mes cobré un sueldo mísero.
This month I received a meager salary.
Core concept
A bedraggled person huddled under a thin blanket.
Common phrases
sueldo mísero
meager salary
una vida mísera
a miserable life
recompensa mísera
meager reward
Similar words
pobre: Having little money or possessions and living with limited means in ordinary poverty.
indigente: In a state of extreme destitution, lacking shelter, food, or other essential resources.
desamparado: Lacking assistance or protection, isolated and unable to depend on others.
Definition in Spanish
Que provoca lástima o compasión por su pobreza, desgracia o mala condición.
Word origin
From Latin miser 'unfortunate', via Romance languages into Spanish, mísero denotes someone or something that arouses pity because of poverty or poor condition.
Usage tips
- About people, mísero sounds harsh or contemptuous so speakers often choose pobre for a neutral 'poor', and mísero is also used for paltry amounts or meager conditions.