B1 adjective #2,500 الأكثر شيوعاً 9 دقيقة للقراءة

adquirido

At the A1 level, you might not use 'adquirido' often, as it is a bit formal. However, you can understand it as a way to say 'got' or 'bought.' Think of it like this: if you have a new toy or a new book, you 'adquirido' (acquired) it. At this level, just remember that it describes something you have now but didn't have before. It is like saying 'comprado' (bought) but more serious. You might see it on a receipt or a simple sign in a shop. It's a big word for a simple idea: 'I have this now.' Focus on the idea of 'getting' something.
At the A2 level, you start to see 'adquirido' in more specific contexts, like talking about things you bought for your house or skills you are starting to learn. You might say 'He adquirido un libro nuevo' (I have acquired a new book). It is a step up from 'comprar.' You also start to see it in the feminine form 'adquirida' if the thing you got is feminine, like 'una bicicleta adquirida.' It's important to start noticing that this word is used for things that aren't just objects, like a 'costumbre' (habit). If you start drinking tea every day, that is a 'costumbre adquirida.'
At the B1 level, 'adquirido' becomes a very useful adjective for describing your progress and your life. You use it to talk about 'conocimientos adquiridos' (acquired knowledge) in your studies or 'experiencia adquirida' (acquired experience) in your job. This is the level where you distinguish between things you were born with and things you learned. It is also common in the phrase 'gusto adquirido' (acquired taste) for things like spicy food or coffee. You should be able to use it correctly in sentences that require gender and number agreement, and understand it in news reports or basic legal/medical contexts.
At the B2 level, you use 'adquirido' with precision in formal and academic writing. You understand the difference between 'derechos adquiridos' (vested rights) and temporary ones. You can discuss complex topics like 'inmunidad adquirida' in biology or 'comportamiento adquirido' in psychology. You use the word to add a professional tone to your speech. Instead of saying 'las cosas que sé,' you say 'las competencias adquiridas.' You are also aware of its use in the business world, such as 'bienes adquiridos' or 'deudas adquiridas,' and you can use it to describe the nuances of social and cultural habits.
At the C1 level, 'adquirido' is a tool for nuanced expression. You use it in legal, philosophical, and scientific discussions without hesitation. You understand the subtle implications of 'derechos adquiridos' in political debates and can argue about the ethics of 'bienes adquiridos' in different economic systems. You recognize the word in literature where it might be used metaphorically. Your use of the word is perfectly integrated into complex sentence structures, and you never fail with agreement. You also understand the historical etymology and how it relates to other words in the 'querer' family.
At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'adquirido.' You can use it in highly specialized fields, such as linguistics (language acquisition vs. learning) or advanced medicine, with total accuracy. You understand the most obscure legal applications of the term. You can play with the word in creative writing, using its formal weight to create irony or emphasis. You are aware of how the word's usage has evolved in different Spanish-speaking regions and can identify it in various registers, from the most archaic legal texts to modern technical manuals. It is a fundamental part of your high-level vocabulary.

adquirido في 30 ثانية

  • Adquirido means 'acquired' or 'obtained' and is used for things not present from birth or the beginning of a process.
  • It is a formal adjective that applies to physical goods, mental skills, medical conditions, and legal rights in Spanish.
  • The word must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes (adquirido, adquirida, adquiridos, adquiridas).
  • A key phrase is 'gusto adquirido' (acquired taste), used for things like coffee or complex art that you learn to like.

The Spanish word adquirido is the past participle of the verb adquirir, but it functions prominently as an adjective in modern Spanish. At its core, it describes something that was not innate, natural, or originally present, but was instead obtained through effort, purchase, experience, or biological processes. In a linguistic and philosophical sense, it represents the transition from 'not having' to 'possessing.' Whether we are talking about a physical object like a house, a mental state like knowledge, or a medical condition like an allergy, adquirido signifies the result of an acquisition process. This word is essential for B1 learners because it bridges the gap between simple possession (tener) and the formal recognition of how something came to be part of one's life or identity.

Legal Context
Refers to rights or properties legally obtained (derechos adquiridos).
Medical Context
Refers to conditions developed after birth, contrasting with congenital (inmunidad adquirida).
Educational Context
Refers to skills or knowledge gained through study (conocimiento adquirido).

To understand adquirido, one must look at its Latin roots, ad- (to) and quaerere (to seek). It implies an active or passive 'seeking' that results in 'having.' In daily life, you might hear it when people discuss their 'habits' (hábitos adquiridos). These are not things you were born with; you didn't wake up as a baby knowing how to drink coffee every morning. You developed that habit over time. Thus, the habit is adquirido. This distinction is vital in Spanish culture, where the origin of a trait or possession often dictates the social or legal weight it carries.

"El conocimiento adquirido a través de los años es más valioso que cualquier fortuna heredada."

— Proverbio sobre la sabiduría

Furthermore, the word carries a weight of permanence. Once something is adquirido, it is generally considered part of the subject's current state. In economic terms, 'bienes adquiridos' (acquired assets) are the foundation of a company's balance sheet. In the realm of psychology, 'comportamiento adquirido' (learned behavior) explains why we react to certain stimuli based on past experiences. The versatility of this adjective allows it to function in high-level academic discourse just as easily as in a conversation about shopping. It is a word that demands context: what was acquired, how was it acquired, and what is the current status of that acquisition? By mastering this word, a learner moves from describing what things 'are' to describing how they 'became.'

"Esa es una costumbre adquirida en sus viajes por el extranjero."

"Los compromisos adquiridos deben respetarse hasta el final del contrato."

"La inmunidad adquirida protege al cuerpo de futuras infecciones."

"Es un gusto adquirido; al principio no me gustaba el café solo."

Using adquirido correctly requires an understanding of its role as a descriptor of origin. Unlike 'comprado' (bought), which is specific to a monetary transaction, adquirido is broader. You can 'adquirir' a disease, a habit, or a language, and thus they become adquiridos. When you use this word, you are highlighting the fact that the subject was not born with the trait or did not always possess the object. It is particularly useful in formal writing, reports, and medical or legal documentation.

Agreement
Must match the noun: Los talentos adquiridos (masculine plural).
Position
Usually follows the noun: Una enfermedad adquirida.
Verb Pairing
Often used with 'ser' for permanent states or 'haber' as a participle: Ha sido adquirido.

In a sentence, adquirido often acts as a qualifier that adds a layer of sophistication. Instead of saying 'los conocimientos que tengo' (the knowledge I have), saying 'los conocimientos adquiridos' (the acquired knowledge) sounds more professional and precise. It implies a process of learning and integration. For example, in a job interview, you might say: 'Mis habilidades técnicas son el resultado de la experiencia adquirida en mi anterior empleo.' This sounds much more impressive than saying 'las cosas que aprendí' (the things I learned).

One must also be careful with the nuance of 'derechos adquiridos.' In Spanish-speaking countries, this is a heavy legal term. It refers to rights that, once granted and exercised, cannot be taken away by subsequent laws. If you are discussing labor laws or retirement benefits, this term will appear frequently. It suggests a sense of permanence and protection. Similarly, in science, 'caracteres adquiridos' refers to traits gained during an organism's life that are not genetic. Understanding these specific contexts will help you use the word with the authority of a native speaker.

Finally, consider the emotional or sensory use: 'un gusto adquirido.' This is a very common phrase used to describe food or art that is difficult to appreciate at first. Olives, blue cheese, or complex jazz music are often described this way. By saying 'es un gusto adquirido,' you are acknowledging that the appreciation requires time and repeated exposure. This usage is common in social settings and dinner conversations, making it a versatile tool for your vocabulary.

You will encounter adquirido in a variety of environments, ranging from the highly technical to the everyday. In the news, you might hear about 'bienes adquiridos ilícitamente' (illegally acquired goods) during reports on corruption or crime. In this context, the word carries a negative, forensic tone. Journalists use it to describe the accumulation of wealth or property that is under investigation. It sounds more clinical and objective than 'robado' (stolen) until the crime is proven.

In the medical field, the word is ubiquitous. If you watch a medical drama in Spanish or visit a doctor, you might hear about 'inmunidad adquirida' (acquired immunity) or 'sordera adquirida' (acquired deafness). Here, it serves to distinguish the condition from something 'congénito' (congenital). This distinction is crucial for diagnosis and treatment. For instance, 'El SIDA es el Síndrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida,' where the 'A' stands for Adquirida, emphasizing that it is contracted, not inherited.

In the business world, during meetings or in annual reports, you will hear about 'compromisos adquiridos' (commitments made/acquired). This refers to the obligations a company has taken on, such as loans, contracts, or environmental targets. It conveys a sense of responsibility and formal agreement. A CEO might say, 'Debemos cumplir con los compromisos adquiridos con nuestros accionistas.' This usage is standard in corporate Spanish across Spain and Latin America.

Lastly, in the educational system, teachers and professors often talk about 'competencias adquiridas' (acquired competencies). This refers to the skills students are expected to have mastered by the end of a course. If you are looking at a university syllabus or a diploma supplement, you will see this word repeatedly. It focuses on the outcome of the learning process—the tangible skills that the student now 'owns' as a result of their education.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing adquirido with comprado. While all things bought are acquired, not all things acquired are bought. For example, you cannot say 'un conocimiento comprado' if you mean you learned it in school; you must say 'un conocimiento adquirido.' Using 'comprado' implies a purely financial transaction, whereas adquirido covers effort, time, and biological processes.

Another common error is failing to match the gender and number. Because adquirido ends in '-o', English speakers often forget to change it to '-a', '-os', or '-as'. For example, 'las habilidades adquirido' is incorrect; it must be 'las habilidades adquiridas.' Since it often appears in complex sentences, learners sometimes lose track of which noun the adjective is modifying. Always look back to the main noun to ensure agreement.

Learners also sometimes use adquirido when they should use the verb form. For instance, saying 'Yo he adquirido' is the present perfect tense (I have acquired), where adquirido is the participle. But saying 'Es un libro adquirido' is using it as an adjective. The mistake happens when learners try to use it as an adjective in places where a simple verb or a different adjective like 'nuevo' (new) would be more natural. 'Tengo un coche adquirido' sounds very strange and overly formal; 'Tengo un coche nuevo' or 'Me he comprado un coche' is much better.

Finally, there is the confusion with 'innato' (innate). Some learners use adquirido to describe things that are actually natural talents. If someone is born a great singer, that is an 'habilidad innata.' If they took lessons for ten years to become great, that is an 'habilidad adquirida.' Misusing these terms can change the meaning of your sentence entirely, especially in psychological or biological discussions.

To truly master adquirido, it is helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. The most direct synonym is obtenido (obtained). While they are often interchangeable, obtenido is slightly more general and can refer to a result (un resultado obtenido), whereas adquirido often implies a more permanent addition to one's possessions or traits. You 'obtain' a permit, but you 'acquire' a habit.

Another related word is logrado (achieved). This word carries a stronger sense of success and effort. If you say 'un éxito logrado,' you are emphasizing the struggle to get there. Adquirido is more neutral; it simply states that the thing is now possessed. For example, 'una deuda adquirida' (an acquired debt) doesn't imply success, just that the debt now exists. 'Logrado' would never be used for a debt.

In contrast, consider ganado (earned/won). This is used when there is a clear reward for work or a competition. 'Un premio ganado' (a won prize) or 'un sueldo ganado' (an earned salary). Adquirido is broader. You can acquire something by accident or through a process that isn't necessarily 'earning' it in the traditional sense, such as 'una enfermedad adquirida.'

Finally, there is comprado (purchased). As mentioned before, this is a subset of adquirido. If you want to be specific about the exchange of money, use 'comprado.' If you want to be more formal or cover a wider range of ways something came into your possession, use adquirido. In legal documents, you will almost always see 'bienes adquiridos' because it covers purchases, gifts, and inheritances all at once.

How Formal Is It?

رسمي

""

غير رسمي

""

مستوى الصعوبة

قواعد يجب معرفتها

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

El libro fue adquirido ayer.

The book was bought yesterday.

Passive voice with 'ser'.

2

Es un juguete adquirido en la tienda.

It is a toy obtained in the store.

Adjective modifying 'juguete'.

3

Tengo un perro adquirido recientemente.

I have a dog recently acquired.

Adverb 'recientemente' modifying the adjective.

4

La fruta adquirida está fresca.

The acquired fruit is fresh.

Feminine singular agreement.

5

Son zapatos adquiridos en España.

They are shoes bought in Spain.

Masculine plural agreement.

6

Este es un regalo adquirido para ti.

This is a gift obtained for you.

Prepositional phrase 'para ti'.

7

La ropa adquirida es roja.

The acquired clothes are red.

Feminine singular agreement.

8

El coche adquirido es pequeño.

The acquired car is small.

Masculine singular agreement.

1

He adquirido una nueva costumbre.

I have acquired a new habit.

Present perfect tense.

2

Los muebles adquiridos son de madera.

The acquired furniture is made of wood.

Plural agreement.

3

Es una habilidad adquirida en la escuela.

It is a skill acquired in school.

Feminine singular.

4

La casa fue adquirida por mis padres.

The house was acquired by my parents.

Passive voice with agent 'por'.

5

Tenemos muchos libros adquiridos este año.

We have many books acquired this year.

Adjective modifying 'libros'.

6

La experiencia adquirida es muy importante.

The acquired experience is very important.

Abstract noun agreement.

7

Es un gusto adquirido, como el café.

It is an acquired taste, like coffee.

Common phrase.

8

Las entradas fueron adquiridas por internet.

The tickets were acquired online.

Feminine plural passive.

1

El conocimiento adquirido nos ayudará mucho.

The acquired knowledge will help us a lot.

Future tense 'ayudará'.

2

Es un comportamiento adquirido, no es natural.

It is a learned behavior, it is not natural.

Contrast with 'natural'.

3

Los derechos adquiridos no se pueden quitar.

Acquired rights cannot be taken away.

Legal context.

4

La inmunidad adquirida protege contra el virus.

Acquired immunity protects against the virus.

Medical context.

5

Esa es una técnica adquirida con la práctica.

That is a technique acquired with practice.

Preposition 'con'.

6

Los bienes adquiridos durante el matrimonio son comunes.

Assets acquired during marriage are joint.

Legal/Financial context.

7

Es una enfermedad adquirida en el extranjero.

It is a disease acquired abroad.

Medical context.

8

La confianza adquirida le permitió hablar en público.

The acquired confidence allowed him to speak in public.

Abstract noun.

1

La empresa debe declarar todos los activos adquiridos.

The company must declare all acquired assets.

Business terminology.

2

Es un vicio adquirido por el estrés del trabajo.

It is a vice acquired due to work stress.

Causal phrase 'por el estrés'.

3

La madurez adquirida se nota en sus decisiones.

The acquired maturity is noticeable in his decisions.

Abstract concept.

4

Los compromisos adquiridos deben ser cumplidos.

The acquired commitments must be fulfilled.

Passive obligation.

5

Es una característica adquirida por la evolución.

It is a characteristic acquired through evolution.

Scientific context.

6

La deuda adquirida asciende a un millón de euros.

The acquired debt amounts to one million euros.

Financial context.

7

Las competencias adquiridas son válidas en toda Europa.

The acquired competencies are valid throughout Europe.

Educational context.

8

Fue una nacionalidad adquirida por residencia.

It was a nationality acquired through residence.

Legal/Administrative context.

1

La jurisprudencia protege los derechos adquiridos de los trabajadores.

Case law protects the vested rights of workers.

High-level legal term.

2

El bilingüismo es a menudo un estado adquirido, no nativo.

Bilingualism is often an acquired state, not native.

Linguistic nuance.

3

La pátina adquirida por el bronce le da un valor especial.

The patina acquired by the bronze gives it a special value.

Artistic/Descriptive context.

4

Es una fobia adquirida tras un evento traumático.

It is an acquired phobia after a traumatic event.

Psychological context.

5

La sagacidad adquirida con los años es su mejor arma.

The sagacity acquired over the years is his best weapon.

Metaphorical use.

6

Los vicios del lenguaje son a menudo hábitos adquiridos.

Language vices are often acquired habits.

Linguistic criticism.

7

La soberanía adquirida tras la guerra cambió el mapa.

The sovereignty acquired after the war changed the map.

Political/Historical context.

8

Es una destreza adquirida mediante un entrenamiento riguroso.

It is a skill acquired through rigorous training.

Formal preposition 'mediante'.

1

La ontología del ser se nutre de lo innato y lo adquirido.

The ontology of being is nourished by the innate and the acquired.

Philosophical abstraction.

2

La nulidad de los bienes adquiridos de mala fe es indiscutible.

The nullity of assets acquired in bad faith is indisputable.

Advanced legal phrasing.

3

El carácter adquirido de la respuesta inmune es la base de las vacunas.

The acquired nature of the immune response is the basis of vaccines.

Scientific precision.

4

Su erudición no es más que un barniz adquirido para impresionar.

His erudition is nothing more than an acquired veneer to impress.

Literary/Sarcastic use.

5

La impronta adquirida en la infancia marca el resto de la vida.

The imprint acquired in childhood marks the rest of life.

Psychological depth.

6

Los privilegios adquiridos por la casta política son cuestionados.

The privileges acquired by the political caste are questioned.

Sociopolitical critique.

7

La semántica de lo 'adquirido' varía según el marco teórico.

The semantics of the 'acquired' varies according to the theoretical framework.

Meta-linguistic analysis.

8

Es una elegancia adquirida, fruto de un refinamiento consciente.

It is an acquired elegance, the result of conscious refinement.

Nuanced description.

تلازمات شائعة

derechos adquiridos
conocimiento adquirido
gusto adquirido
bienes adquiridos
habilidad adquirida
experiencia adquirida
inmunidad adquirida
deuda adquirida
costumbre adquirida
compromiso adquirido

العبارات الشائعة

Por los derechos adquiridos

Es un gusto adquirido

Conocimientos adquiridos en el curso

Bienes adquiridos legalmente

Habilidades adquiridas con el tiempo

Experiencia adquirida en el campo

Inmunidad adquirida naturalmente

Compromisos adquiridos previamente

Hábitos adquiridos en la infancia

Propiedad adquirida recientemente

يُخلط عادةً مع

adquirido vs comprado (specifically for money)

adquirido vs innato (the opposite: born with it)

adquirido vs heredado (received from ancestors)

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

سهل الخلط

adquirido vs adquisición

The noun form (the act of getting something).

adquirido vs adquiriente

The person who is getting something.

adquirido vs adquisitivo

Relating to the ability to buy (poder adquisitivo).

adquirido vs requerido

Required/Needed, not necessarily obtained.

adquirido vs querido

Loved/Dear.

أنماط الجُمل

كيفية الاستخدام

nuance

Implies a process of transition from not having to having.

formality

High. Use 'comprado' or 'aprendido' for casual talk unless using fixed phrases.

أخطاء شائعة
  • Knowledge (conocimientos) is masculine plural.

  • If you are born with it, it's 'innato', not 'adquirido'.

  • While 'adquirido' is correct, 'comprado' is more natural for simple purchases.

  • In biology, 'adquirida' specifically means it's NOT the natural/innate one you were born with.

  • Gusto is masculine singular.

نصائح

Use in CVs

Always use 'competencias adquiridas' or 'experiencia adquirida' in your resume to sound professional.

Legal Weight

Be careful when using 'derechos adquiridos' in a work context; it has strong legal implications in Spanish-speaking countries.

Agreement Check

Double-check the gender of abstract nouns like 'habilidad' (fem) or 'conocimiento' (masc) when using this adjective.

Soft D

The 'd' in 'adquirido' is intervocalic, meaning it should be very soft, almost like a 'th' sound.

Avoid Overuse

In very casual conversation, 'que compré' or 'que aprendí' is often more natural than 'adquirido'.

Cognate Power

Link it to 'Acquired' in English. The spelling and meaning are almost identical, making it easy to remember.

Formal Reports

Use 'bienes adquiridos' instead of 'cosas compradas' when writing business or legal reports.

Acquired Taste

Use the phrase 'es un gusto adquirido' to explain why you like something unusual or strong.

News Context

When you hear 'adquirido' on the news, it often relates to property, crime, or health.

Next Step

Learn the verb 'adquirir' to understand the action behind the adjective.

احفظها

أصل الكلمة

Latin 'adquirere'

السياق الثقافي

Often used in the context of historical property and old rights.

Frequently appears in labor law discussions regarding worker protections.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

بدايات محادثة

"¿Crees que el talento es innato o adquirido?"

"¿Cuál es tu gusto adquirido favorito?"

"¿Qué habilidades has adquirido en tu trabajo actual?"

"¿Es importante proteger los derechos adquiridos?"

"¿Qué libro adquirido recientemente me recomiendas?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Describe una habilidad adquirida de la que te sientas orgulloso.

Escribe sobre un gusto adquirido que antes no soportabas.

Reflexiona sobre los conocimientos adquiridos durante el último año.

¿Qué compromisos adquiridos tienes para el futuro?

Haz una lista de bienes adquiridos que son importantes para ti.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Adquirido is more formal and broader. Comprado only means you paid money for it. Adquirido can mean you learned it, caught it (a disease), or got it through any process.

Generally no, unless you are talking about a professional 'acquisition' in sports or business, which is rare for the adjective form.

Yes, it is very common to describe things like beer, coffee, or modern art that people don't usually like the first time.

You use 'adquirido/a', such as 'inmunodeficiencia adquirida' or 'sordera adquirida'.

Usually, yes. Placing it before (el adquirido derecho) is very poetic or archaic and not common in modern Spanish.

It is the past participle of 'adquirir', so it is used in compound tenses like 'he adquirido' (I have acquired).

It refers to legal rights that you have already earned and that cannot be taken away by new laws.

Yes, it is considered B1 because it moves beyond basic vocabulary into more formal and precise descriptions.

The most common antonym is 'innato' (innate) or 'natural'.

It is 'adquiridas'. Example: 'las habilidades adquiridas'.

اختبر نفسك 180 أسئلة

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

هل كان هذا مفيداً؟
لا توجد تعليقات بعد. كن أول من يشارك أفكاره!