Spanish Conversation · Level 92
60 words
Spanish word
sordo
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈsoɾðo/
Meaning
- adjectivedeaf
Example
Mi abuelo es sordo.
My grandfather is deaf.
More examples
Su hijo es sordo de nacimiento y usa la lengua de señas.
His son is congenitally deaf and uses sign language.
Core concept
Someone who cannot hear.
Common phrases
persona sorda
person who is deaf
sordo de nacimiento
congenitally deaf
sordo de un oído
deaf in one ear
Similar words
mudo: Lacks the ability to speak aloud or form vocal speech.
sordomudo: Has no hearing and also does not speak verbally.
hipoacúsico: Experiences mild to moderate hearing loss, retaining partial hearing.
Definition in Spanish
Que no puede oír; también, dicho de un sonido, que es apagado o de poca intensidad.
Word origin
Derived from Latin surdus meaning 'deaf', with Spanish -o marking the adjective, keeping the primary sense of lacking hearing while also being used figuratively for weak or muffled sounds.
Usage tips
- Adjective agreement matters: sordo becomes sorda, sordos, sordas to match the noun, and when referring to people Spanish often prefers persona con pérdida auditiva in formal or sensitive contexts.