هذه الصفحة بلغتك

English

فارسی

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 adjective #8,500 الأكثر شيوعاً 10 دقيقة للقراءة

desequilibrado

الأكثر شيوعاً #8,500

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح desequilibrado في 30 ثانية

الشرح desequilibrado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 'desequilibrado' in a very physical sense. Imagine a chair that has one leg shorter than the others. If you sit on it, you might fall because the chair is 'desequilibrado'. You can think of it as the opposite of 'well-made' or 'steady'. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the complex psychological meanings. Focus on the fact that it ends in -o, so for a chair (una silla), you must say 'desequilibrada'. Practice saying it slowly: des-e-qui-li-bra-do. It is a long word, but it is just 'des-' + 'equilibrio' + '-ado'. If you know 'balance' in English, you can see the 'equi' part which is the same as 'equal'. This word is used when things are not equal on both sides. For example, if you carry a very heavy bag in one hand and nothing in the other, your body is desequilibrado. You might feel like you are going to tip over. This is the simplest way to understand the word: something is tipping or not straight because the weight is not the same everywhere.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you can start using 'desequilibrado' to describe more than just furniture. You might use it to talk about a game or a simple situation. For example, if you are playing football and one team has 10 players and the other only has 5, you can say 'El partido está desequilibrado'. It means the situation is not fair because the balance of power is wrong. You should also be comfortable using the feminine and plural forms: 'las mesas desequilibradas' or 'una carga desequilibrada'. You will mostly use this word with the verb 'estar' because you are usually describing a condition that you can see. 'La balanza está desequilibrada' (The scale is unbalanced). You might also hear it in very simple health contexts, like 'una dieta desequilibrada' (an unbalanced diet), which just means you are eating too much of one thing and not enough of another. It's a useful word for describing things that feel 'wrong' or 'unfair' in terms of their physical or numerical setup.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, 'desequilibrado' becomes a more nuanced tool in your vocabulary. You can now use it to describe emotional states and more abstract concepts. If a friend is acting very strangely or is extremely upset, you might say (carefully) that they seem 'emocionalmente desequilibrado'. However, remember the difference between 'ser' and 'estar'. 'Él está desequilibrado' means he is currently unstable, perhaps due to a breakup or stress. 'Él es desequilibrado' is a much stronger character judgment. You will also encounter this word in news reports about the economy or society. For example, 'el crecimiento desequilibrado de la ciudad' refers to how some neighborhoods are getting rich while others stay poor. You should be able to recognize it in reading passages about health, sports, and social issues. This is also the level where you should start using synonyms like 'inestable' to avoid repeating 'desequilibrado' too much. It is a key word for expressing that something is not in its proper proportion or harmony, whether that is a budget, a person's mind, or a physical structure.

At the B2 level, you should use 'desequilibrado' with precision in professional and academic contexts. You will see it used in discussions about 'el desequilibrio ecológico' (ecological imbalance) or 'presupuestos desequilibrados' (unbalanced budgets). At this stage, you should understand that the word often carries a negative connotation of dysfunction. If a system is 'desequilibrado', it is likely to fail. You can use it to critique arguments, saying 'Tu argumento es un poco desequilibrado porque solo consideras un punto de vista' (Your argument is a bit unbalanced because you only consider one point of view). You should also be aware of the noun form 'desequilibrio' and the verb 'desequilibrar'. For instance, 'Esa noticia desequilibró los mercados financieros' (That news threw the financial markets off balance). You are expected to use the word fluently in both speech and writing, moving easily between its physical, psychological, and metaphorical meanings without confusing it with simpler words like 'desigual'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you will appreciate the stylistic uses of 'desequilibrado'. In literary analysis, you might describe a character as having a 'psique desequilibrada' to explain their erratic motivations. You will recognize the word in high-level journalism, such as articles discussing 'el orden mundial desequilibrado' or 'estructuras de poder desequilibradas'. You should be able to use the word to describe subtle nuances in art and design, such as an 'estética desequilibrada' used to create a specific emotional response in the viewer. You will also understand its use in technical fields like engineering or advanced medicine. At this level, you should be able to distinguish 'desequilibrado' from highly specific synonyms like 'descompensado' or 'disarmónico'. You can use it in complex sentence structures, perhaps as a past participle in a passive voice: 'Habiendo sido desequilibrado por las fuerzas externas, el gobierno colapsó.' Your usage should reflect a deep understanding of the word's ability to describe systemic failure or lack of harmony in complex structures.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, 'desequilibrado' is a word you use with total mastery, often in philosophical or highly specialized discourse. You might discuss the 'naturaleza desequilibrada del ser humano' in a philosophical essay or analyze the 'dinámicas desequilibradas de la globalización' in a doctoral thesis. You understand the word's historical and etymological weight, tracing it back to its Latin roots and seeing how it functions in the broader Romance language context. You can use it with subtle irony or as part of a complex metaphor. You are also aware of how the word has been used in historical medical texts and how its meaning has evolved from a purely physical description to a complex psychological and social label. Your command of the word allows you to use it in any register, from the most formal legal document to a nuanced literary critique, always choosing the exact form and placement to achieve the desired rhetorical effect. You no longer think about the word; it is a natural part of your sophisticated Spanish lexicon.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

desequilibrado في 30 ثانية

Desequilibrado means unbalanced or unstable in physical, mental, or abstract contexts.
It requires gender and number agreement (desequilibrado/a/os/as) with the noun it modifies.
Use 'ser' for permanent traits and 'estar' for temporary conditions or states.
Commonly used in sports, economics, and psychology to describe lack of proportion.

The Spanish adjective desequilibrado is a versatile and essential term for any intermediate Spanish learner. At its core, it describes something that lacks balance, stability, or proportion. This lack of balance can manifest in three primary ways: physically, mentally, or metaphorically. Understanding the nuances of this word requires looking at its root, equilibrio (balance), and the prefix des-, which denotes negation or reversal. When you call something desequilibrado, you are essentially saying it has fallen out of its natural or intended state of poise.

Physical Instability: In the most literal sense, it refers to objects that are not steady. For example, a table with one leg shorter than the others is una mesa desequilibrada. This usage is common in construction, physics, and daily life when dealing with mechanical or structural issues.
Mental and Emotional State: When applied to people, it can mean someone who is mentally unstable or emotionally erratic. However, one must be cautious with this usage as it can range from a temporary state of being 'off-kilter' to a more serious clinical description of psychological instability.
Statistical or Proportional Imbalance: This is perhaps the most common usage in news and formal contexts. If a sports match features a professional team against an amateur one, the match is desequilibrado. Similarly, an economy where the rich hold all the wealth while the poor have none is described as having a reparto desequilibrado of resources.

El resultado del partido fue totalmente desequilibrado, con un marcador de ocho a cero.

Translation: The result of the match was totally unbalanced, with a score of eight to zero.

Furthermore, the word is frequently used in the context of budgets and accounting. A presupuesto desequilibrado is a budget where expenses exceed income, a concept frequently discussed in political debates regarding national debt. In the world of design and art, an artist might intentionally create a composición desequilibrada to evoke a sense of tension or movement, proving that the word isn't always negative; it can also be a tool for creative expression. As you progress in Spanish, you will notice that desequilibrado appears in academic texts, sports commentary, and psychological journals, making it a high-frequency adjective for B1 learners and above.

Caminar sobre esa cuerda floja era peligroso porque el peso estaba desequilibrado.

No tomes decisiones importantes cuando te sientas emocionalmente desequilibrado.

Using desequilibrado correctly requires attention to two main grammatical factors: gender/number agreement and the choice between the verbs ser and estar. Because it is an adjective ending in '-o', it must change to match the noun it describes: desequilibrado (masculine singular), desequilibrada (feminine singular), desequilibrados (masculine plural), and desequilibradas (feminine plural).

Using with 'Estar': Use estar when referring to a temporary state or a condition that has changed. For example, 'La carga está desequilibrada' implies the load was perhaps balanced before but has shifted. It describes a current, possibly fixable condition.
Using with 'Ser': Use ser when referring to an inherent characteristic. 'Él es un hombre desequilibrado' suggests that instability is a permanent part of his personality or nature. This is a much stronger and more definitive statement than using 'estar'.

Las fuerzas en el campo de batalla estaban desequilibradas debido a la falta de suministros.

In professional contexts, you will often find desequilibrado modifying abstract nouns. In economics, you might hear about 'una balanza comercial desequilibrada' (an unbalanced trade balance). In these cases, the adjective usually follows the noun. However, for stylistic emphasis in literature or passionate speech, it might occasionally precede the noun, though this is rare for this specific word. When describing a diet, one might say 'una dieta desequilibrada', referring to a lack of nutritional variety. This is a very common phrase in health and wellness discussions in Spain and Latin America.

Una alimentación desequilibrada puede acarrear graves problemas de salud a largo plazo.

When writing, ensure you don't confuse desequilibrado with desigual (unequal). While they are related, desigual refers more to a lack of equality in size or rights, whereas desequilibrado specifically implies a loss of stability or proportion. For instance, two people of different heights are desiguales, but a scale with more weight on one side is desequilibrada. Mastery of these distinctions is what separates a B1 learner from a B2 or C1 speaker.

The word desequilibrado is ubiquitous across various media and social settings in the Spanish-speaking world. If you turn on a sports broadcast, particularly football (soccer), you will hear commentators use it to describe a match where one team is significantly better than the other. They might say, 'Es un encuentro muy desequilibrado,' implying that the competition lacks the tension of a balanced fight. This is a very common way to hear the word in a neutral, non-offensive context.

News and Politics: In the news, you will hear it regarding social issues. Journalists often discuss 'el desarrollo desequilibrado de las regiones', referring to how some parts of a country modernize faster than others. It is a key term in sociological and economic discourse.
In the Gym or Physical Therapy: If you are working with a personal trainer in a Spanish-speaking country, they might tell you, 'Tu postura está desequilibrada.' This indicates that you are leaning too much to one side or using your muscles unevenly. It is a standard technical term in kinesiology and fitness.

El mercado laboral actual es desequilibrado y favorece solo a los sectores tecnológicos.

In literature and cinema, desequilibrado is often used to describe complex characters. A 'villano desequilibrado' is a classic trope—a villain whose actions are unpredictable and driven by a lack of mental stability. In this context, it adds a layer of danger and unpredictability to the narrative. If you watch Spanish-language thrillers or 'telenovelas', you will certainly encounter this word used to describe the psychological state of a protagonist or antagonist during a breakdown.

Finally, in the world of engineering and mechanics, the word is used to describe vibrations in machinery. If a car's wheels are desequilibradas, the steering wheel will shake at high speeds. Mechanics will use the noun form desequilibrio more often, but the adjective describes the state of the vehicle. Whether you are at the mechanic, watching the news, or reading a novel, desequilibrado is a word that provides essential descriptive power.

Even advanced learners can stumble when using desequilibrado. The most frequent error is a lack of agreement in gender and number. Because English adjectives are invariant, learners often forget to change the ending to -a, -os, or -as. For example, saying 'las cuentas están desequilibrado' is a glaring error; it must be 'las cuentas están desequilibradas'.

Confusing with 'Desigual': Many learners use 'desequilibrado' when they mean 'unequal' in terms of rights or size. While 'un reparto desequilibrado' is okay, 'derechos desequilibrados' sounds strange. Use desigual for rights or mathematical inequality, and desequilibrado for stability or proportion.
Overusing it for 'Crazy': In English, we might say someone is 'unbalanced' as a polite way to say they are 'crazy'. In Spanish, desequilibrado is quite formal and clinical. Using it to describe a friend who is acting silly would be an overstatement. For that, use 'loco' or 'chiflado'.

Incorrect: La mesa es desequilibrado.
Correct: La mesa está desequilibrada.

Another common mistake is the misuse of ser vs estar. As discussed previously, using ser implies a permanent personality trait, which can be very insulting. If you mean someone is temporarily acting out of character because of stress, you must use está desequilibrado. Using es in that situation would be like diagnosing them with a permanent mental illness. This distinction is crucial for maintaining appropriate social registers.

Lastly, be careful with the pronunciation of the 'ui' combination. Some English speakers try to pronounce it as two separate syllables 'u-i', but in Spanish, it is a diphthong where the 'u' is very short, almost like a 'w'. It should sound like des-e-ki-li-bra-do, not des-e-kwil-i-bra-do. Practice the 'qui' (ki) sound carefully to ensure you aren't adding extra 'w' sounds where they don't belong.

To truly master desequilibrado, you should know its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. This allows you to choose the most precise word for any given situation. Depending on whether you are talking about a physical object, a person's mind, or a social situation, there might be a better alternative.

Inestable (Unstable): Inestable is the closest synonym. While desequilibrado implies a lack of balance, inestable implies a lack of steadiness or a high probability of changing or falling. Use inestable for weather or chemical compounds.
Descompensado (Uncompensated/Decompensated): This is a more technical term, often used in medicine or mechanics. If a patient's diabetes is descompensada, it means their levels are out of control. It implies that a system that should be compensating for changes has failed.
Asimétrico (Asymmetric): Used primarily in design, math, and war strategy. An 'asymmetric war' is una guerra asimétrica. It refers to a lack of symmetry rather than a lack of balance, though the two often overlap.

La economía del país es inestable, pero el presupuesto está desequilibrado.

On the opposite side, the primary antonym is equilibrado (balanced). A persona equilibrada is someone who is level-headed, calm, and sensible. A dieta equilibrada is a healthy, balanced diet. Other antonyms include estable (stable), proporcionado (proportioned), and sensato (sensible, when referring to people). Knowing these opposites helps you define the boundaries of desequilibrado more clearly in your mind.

In informal settings, if you want to say something is 'wonky' or 'crooked', you might use torcido or cojo (if referring to a table leg). These words are much more common in daily speech than the somewhat formal desequilibrado. However, if you want to sound educated and precise, sticking with desequilibrado for situations involving lack of proportion or stability is always a safe and effective choice.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The word 'libra' in the Latin root is also why the symbol for the British Pound is £ (an L for Libra) and why the zodiac sign for the scales is Libra.

دليل النطق

UK /des.e.ki.liˈβɾa.ðo/

US /des.e.ki.liˈβɾa.ðo/

The primary stress is on the penultimate syllable: 'bra'.

يتقافى مع

pescado cansado helado complicado enamorado pasado lado cuidado

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'qui' as 'kwi' instead of 'ki'.
Forgetting to make the 'd' soft at the end.
Putting stress on the 'li' instead of the 'bra'.
Pronouncing the 's' as a 'z'.
Splitting 'ui' into two distinct syllables.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'equilibrium'.

الكتابة 4/5

Requires attention to gender/number endings and spelling (qu).

التحدث 5/5

Long word with a diphthong (ui) and soft 'd's.

الاستماع 3/5

Clear pronunciation usually, but can be fast in speech.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

equilibrio igual mesa dieta partido

تعلّم لاحقاً

inestable compensar proporción armonía vértigo

متقدم

descompensación homeostasis asimetría disarmonía idiosincrasia

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Adjective Agreement

Las cuentas (f.pl) están desequilibradas (f.pl).

Ser vs Estar with Adjectives

Él es desequilibrado (trait) vs Él está desequilibrado (state).

Prefix 'des-' for negation

Hacer -> Deshacer; Equilibrado -> Desequilibrado.

The 'qui' spelling

The 'u' is silent in 'qui', sounding like 'ki'.

Position of Adjectives

Usually follows the noun: 'Una dieta desequilibrada'.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

La silla está desequilibrada.

The chair is unbalanced.

Feminine singular agreement with 'silla'.

Ese niño camina desequilibrado.

That boy walks unbalanced.

Adverbial use of the adjective.

La mesa es vieja y desequilibrada.

The table is old and unbalanced.

Adjective following the noun.

Tengo un peso desequilibrado en mis manos.

I have an unbalanced weight in my hands.

Masculine singular agreement with 'peso'.

No uses esa escalera, está desequilibrada.

Don't use that ladder, it is unbalanced.

Use of 'estar' for a temporary state.

El dibujo se ve desequilibrado.

The drawing looks unbalanced.

Masculine singular matching 'dibujo'.

Mis zapatos están desequilibrados.

My shoes are unbalanced.

Masculine plural agreement.

La carga del camión está desequilibrada.

The truck's load is unbalanced.

Feminine singular agreement with 'carga'.

El partido fue muy desequilibrado.

The match was very unbalanced.

Use of 'ser' for a characteristic of the event.

Comes de forma desequilibrada.

You eat in an unbalanced way.

Adjective modifying the noun 'forma'.

Las fuerzas estaban desequilibradas al principio.

The forces were unbalanced at the beginning.

Feminine plural agreement.

Esa balanza siempre está desequilibrada.

That scale is always unbalanced.

Use of 'estar' for a state.

El reparto de dulces fue desequilibrado.

The distribution of sweets was unbalanced.

Masculine singular agreement with 'reparto'.

Tu postura al correr es desequilibrada.

Your running posture is unbalanced.

Feminine singular agreement with 'postura'.

Los equipos son desequilibrados.

The teams are unbalanced.

Masculine plural agreement.

La estantería quedó desequilibrada tras el golpe.

The shelf became unbalanced after the hit.

Resultative use with 'quedar'.

Se siente emocionalmente desequilibrado por el estrés.

He feels emotionally unbalanced due to stress.

Adverb 'emocionalmente' modifying the adjective.

Lleva una dieta desequilibrada desde hace meses.

He has been following an unbalanced diet for months.

Common collocation 'dieta desequilibrada'.

El presupuesto nacional está desequilibrado.

The national budget is unbalanced.

Economic context.

Es un hombre desequilibrado y peligroso.

He is an unbalanced and dangerous man.

Use of 'ser' to describe a personality trait.

La distribución de la riqueza es desequilibrada.

The distribution of wealth is unbalanced.

Feminine singular agreement with 'distribución'.

El sistema se volvió desequilibrado con el tiempo.

The system became unbalanced over time.

Use with the verb 'volverse' (to become).

No quiero un trato desequilibrado en este negocio.

I don't want an unbalanced deal in this business.

Masculine singular agreement.

Su mente parece un poco desequilibrada hoy.

His mind seems a bit unbalanced today.

Feminine singular agreement with 'mente'.

El ecosistema está desequilibrado por la contaminación.

The ecosystem is unbalanced due to pollution.

Scientific/Environmental context.

Presentó un informe desequilibrado y sin pruebas.

He presented an unbalanced report without evidence.

Meaning 'biased' or 'lacking proportion'.

La balanza de pagos sigue desequilibrada este trimestre.

The balance of payments remains unbalanced this quarter.

Technical economic term.

Es una obra de arte con un estilo desequilibrado.

It is a work of art with an unbalanced style.

Aesthetic context.

La relación de poder era claramente desequilibrada.

The power relationship was clearly unbalanced.

Sociological context.

Sus argumentos estaban desequilibrados y eran subjetivos.

His arguments were unbalanced and subjective.

Masculine plural agreement.

El mercado inmobiliario está desequilibrado en la capital.

The real estate market is unbalanced in the capital.

Context of supply and demand.

Aquel ataque desequilibrado destruyó la defensa.

That unbalanced attack destroyed the defense.

Sports/Military context.

La estructura narrativa de la novela es desequilibrada.

The narrative structure of the novel is unbalanced.

Literary criticism.

Un desarrollo desequilibrado genera tensiones sociales.

Unbalanced development generates social tensions.

Political science context.

El paciente muestra un perfil psicológico desequilibrado.

The patient shows an unbalanced psychological profile.

Clinical context.

La composición fotográfica resulta desequilibrada al ojo.

The photographic composition feels unbalanced to the eye.

Artistic theory.

Las leyes actuales son desequilibradas y favorecen al fuerte.

Current laws are unbalanced and favor the strong.

Legal/Ethical context.

Su discurso, aunque brillante, era desequilibrado.

His speech, though brilliant, was unbalanced.

Rhetorical analysis.

La oferta y la demanda están desequilibradas crónicamente.

Supply and demand are chronically unbalanced.

Advanced economics.

El motor vibraba porque el eje estaba desequilibrado.

The motor vibrated because the axle was unbalanced.

Mechanical engineering context.

La ontología del ser parece intrínsecamente desequilibrada.

The ontology of being seems intrinsically unbalanced.

Philosophical context.

El tratado impuso condiciones desequilibradas a los vencidos.

The treaty imposed unbalanced conditions on the defeated.

Historical/Diplomatic context.

La homeostasis del organismo se hallaba desequilibrada.

The organism's homeostasis was unbalanced.

Advanced biological context.

Este enfoque metodológico es desequilibrado y sesgado.

This methodological approach is unbalanced and biased.

Academic research terminology.

La dialéctica del autor resulta desequilibrada en su síntesis.

The author's dialectic is unbalanced in its synthesis.

Literary/Philosophical critique.

El clima global sufre un forzamiento desequilibrado.

The global climate is suffering from unbalanced forcing.

Climate science context.

La arquitectura brutalista a menudo busca lo desequilibrado.

Brutalist architecture often seeks the unbalanced.

Architectural theory.

Su genio era inseparable de su mente desequilibrada.

His genius was inseparable from his unbalanced mind.

Biographical/Psychological nuance.

تلازمات شائعة

Dieta desequilibrada

Presupuesto desequilibrado

Mente desequilibrada

Partido desequilibrado

Carga desequilibrada

Desarrollo desequilibrado

Sistema desequilibrado

Postura desequilibrada

Balanza desequilibrada

Composición desequilibrada

العبارات الشائعة

Estar desequilibrado

— To be currently lacking balance or stability.

El andamio está desequilibrado, ten cuidado.

Ser un desequilibrado

— To be a person who is inherently unstable (often an insult).

No le hagas caso, es un desequilibrado.

Sentirse desequilibrado

— To feel dizzy or emotionally off-kilter.

Me siento desequilibrado después de dar tantas vueltas.

Un reparto desequilibrado

— An unfair or uneven distribution of something.

Hubo un reparto desequilibrado de las tareas del hogar.

Crecimiento desequilibrado

— Growth that is not uniform or proportional.

El crecimiento desequilibrado de la planta se debe a la luz.

Fuerzas desequilibradas

— Opposing forces that are not equal in strength.

Eran fuerzas desequilibradas en el campo de batalla.

Estado desequilibrado

— A condition of being out of balance.

El motor entró en un estado desequilibrado.

Alimentación desequilibrada

— Synonym for unbalanced diet.

La alimentación desequilibrada afecta el rendimiento escolar.

Estructura desequilibrada

— A physical or abstract building block that is not stable.

La estructura del puente parecía desequilibrada.

Relación desequilibrada

— A relationship where one person has more power or gives more.

Es una relación desequilibrada donde ella siempre cede.

يُخلط عادةً مع

desequilibrado vs Desigual

Use 'desigual' for inequality in rights or math; 'desequilibrado' for stability or proportion.

desequilibrado vs Inestable

Very similar, but 'inestable' implies something likely to change or fall soon.

desequilibrado vs Torcido

Means 'crooked' or 'twisted' physically, while 'desequilibrado' means 'unbalanced'.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Tener un tornillo flojo"

— To be a bit crazy or unbalanced (informal).

Ese tipo tiene un tornillo flojo.

Informal

"Perder el norte"

— To lose one's direction or become unbalanced in life.

Después del divorcio, perdió el norte por un tiempo.

Neutral

"Estar como una cabra"

— To be completely crazy (very informal).

¡Tu primo está como una cabra!

Slang

"Faltarle un hervor"

— To be slightly 'off' or lacking in common sense/stability.

A ese chico le falta un hervor.

Informal

"No estar muy allá"

— To not be quite right mentally or physically.

Últimamente mi abuelo no está muy allá.

Colloquial

"Perder los estribos"

— To lose control or balance emotionally.

Perdió los estribos y empezó a gritar.

Neutral

"Estar en la cuerda floja"

— To be in a precarious or unbalanced situation.

Su puesto de trabajo está en la cuerda floja.

Neutral

"Hacer castillos en el aire"

— To have unbalanced or unrealistic expectations.

Deja de hacer castillos en el aire y busca trabajo.

Neutral

"Irse por los cerros de Úbeda"

— To become unbalanced in a conversation by wandering off-topic.

Le pregunté por el dinero y se fue por los cerros de Úbeda.

Neutral

"Estar con un pie fuera"

— To be in an unstable position, ready to leave or be fired.

Con tantos errores, ya está con un pie fuera de la empresa.

Informal

سهل الخلط

desequilibrado vs Equilibrado

It's the opposite word.

One means balanced, the other means unbalanced. The 'des-' prefix is the key.

Una dieta equilibrada es buena; una desequilibrada es mala.

desequilibrado vs Descompensado

Both imply a lack of balance.

Descompensado is usually medical or mechanical (e.g., heart failure or engine parts).

Su corazón está descompensado.

desequilibrado vs Asimétrico

Visual lack of balance.

Asimétrico refers to shape; desequilibrado refers to weight or stability.

Una cara asimétrica es normal; una balanza desequilibrada no lo es.

desequilibrado vs Injusto

Unbalanced situations are often unfair.

Injusto refers to morality/law; desequilibrado refers to the physical or numerical state.

El reparto fue desequilibrado y, por tanto, injusto.

desequilibrado vs Loco

Both can describe mental states.

Loco is informal and broad; desequilibrado is more formal and specific to stability.

Él no está loco, solo está un poco desequilibrado hoy.

أنماط الجُمل

[Noun] está desequilibrado.

El libro está desequilibrado.

Hay un [Noun] desequilibrado.

Hay un reparto desequilibrado.

Me siento [Adverb] desequilibrado.

Me siento un poco desequilibrado.

El resultado fue [Adjective] y desequilibrado.

El resultado fue injusto y desequilibrado.

Debido a [Noun], el sistema quedó desequilibrado.

Debido al virus, el sistema quedó desequilibrado.

Resulta imperativo corregir el [Noun] desequilibrado.

Resulta imperativo corregir el presupuesto desequilibrado.

No es bueno llevar una [Noun] desequilibrada.

No es bueno llevar una vida desequilibrada.

Los [Noun] son desequilibrados.

Los equipos son desequilibrados.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

desequilibrio (imbalance)

equilibrio (balance)

equilibrista (tightrope walker)

الأفعال

desequilibrar (to unbalance)

equilibrar (to balance)

reequilibrar (to rebalance)

الصفات

equilibrado (balanced)

desequilibrante (decisive/disruptive in a positive way, often in sports)

مرتبط

balanza

estabilidad

proporción

simetría

vértigo

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

High in news, sports, and health; medium in daily casual conversation.

أخطاء شائعة

La mesa es desequilibrado. → La mesa está desequilibrada.
You must use 'estar' for the state of the table and match the feminine gender of 'mesa'.
Un hombre desequilibrante. → Un hombre desequilibrado.
In most contexts, you want 'desequilibrado'. 'Desequilibrante' is a specific sports term for someone who changes the game.
Pronouncing 'des-e-kwil-i-bra-do'. → Pronouncing 'des-e-ki-li-bra-do'.
The 'u' in 'qui' is silent in Spanish.
Using it for 'unequal rights'. → Using 'desigual' for rights.
'Desequilibrado' is about balance and stability, not social equality.
Es una presupuesto desequilibrada. → Es un presupuesto desequilibrado.
'Presupuesto' is masculine, so the article and adjective must match.

نصائح

Gender Agreement

Always match the ending (-o, -a, -os, -as) to the noun. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

Ser vs Estar

Use 'estar' for temporary wobbles and 'ser' for permanent instability. This distinction is vital for social politeness.

Dieta Desequilibrada

Memorize this phrase as a single unit. It's the most common way you'll hear the word in daily life regarding health.

Silent U

Remember that the 'u' in 'qui' is never pronounced. It's a 'k' sound followed by an 'i' sound.

Sports Talk

Listen for this word during football matches. It's a great way to hear it used in a natural, neutral context.

Formal Tone

Use 'desequilibrado' in business or academic writing to describe systems that are not working properly.

Root Recognition

If you see 'equi', think 'equal'. It will help you remember that the word is about things being 'not equal'.

Softening Criticism

Add 'un poco' (a little) before the word if you are describing a person's behavior to avoid being too harsh.

Endings

Native speakers often drop the 'd' sound slightly in '-ado' endings (sounding like '-ao'). Be prepared for this.

The Wobbly Table

Always associate 'desequilibrado' with a wobbly table in your mind to remember its primary physical meaning.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'Des-' (Destroy) + 'Equi' (Equal) + 'Libre' (Free). If you 'Destroy' the 'Equal' state of a 'Libre' (free-moving) scale, it becomes 'desequilibrado'.

ربط بصري

Imagine a scale (like the Justice scales) where one side is full of heavy lead and the other is empty, tipping wildly to one side.

Word Web

Equilibrio Balanza Estabilidad Caída Peso Mente Inestable Dieta

تحدٍّ

Try to find three things in your room right now that are 'desequilibradas'. Is it a stack of books? A picture frame? Say the word out loud for each one.

أصل الكلمة

From the Spanish prefix 'des-' (negation) and the adjective 'equilibrado' (balanced). 'Equilibrado' comes from the noun 'equilibrio', which originates from the Latin 'aequilibrium'.

المعنى الأصلي: The Latin root 'aequus' (equal) and 'libra' (balance/scales) literally means 'equal scales'.

Romance (Latin root).

السياق الثقافي

Be careful when using this to describe mental health. It can be seen as stigmatizing if used as a noun ('un desequilibrado'). Use 'persona con problemas de salud mental' for more sensitivity.

In English, we often use 'unbalanced' or 'off-kilter'. The Spanish word is slightly more formal and is used more frequently in clinical or economic contexts.

The film 'Relatos Salvajes' (Wild Tales) features several 'desequilibrado' characters pushed to the edge. Don Quixote is often described as a 'personaje desequilibrado' due to his loss of reality. In news archives, the 'crac del 29' is often described as a period of 'economía desequilibrada'.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Physical Objects

Poner un calzo
Nivelar la superficie
Ajustar las patas
Repartir el peso

Health and Diet

Comer de todo
Falta de nutrientes
Exceso de grasas
Hábitos saludables

Sports

Superioridad numérica
Goleada histórica
Rival flojo
Nivel dispar

Psychology

Crisis nerviosa
Control emocional
Terapia cognitiva
Paz mental

Economics

Déficit fiscal
Inflación galopante
Deuda externa
Ingresos y gastos

بدايات محادثة

"¿Alguna vez has comido en una mesa que estaba desequilibrada? ¡Es muy molesto!"

"¿Crees que el sistema educativo actual es un poco desequilibrado?"

"¿Qué haces cuando te sientes emocionalmente desequilibrado por el trabajo?"

"¿Viste el partido de ayer? Me pareció muy desequilibrado entre los dos equipos."

"¿Es difícil mantener una dieta equilibrada en tu país?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Describe una situación en la que te sentiste desequilibrado y cómo recuperaste la estabilidad.

Escribe sobre un personaje de ficción que sea desequilibrado. ¿Qué lo hace actuar así?

Analiza si el reparto de tareas en tu casa o trabajo es desequilibrado o justo.

¿Qué aspectos de la sociedad moderna te parecen más desequilibrados?

Imagina un mundo donde nada tuviera equilibrio. ¿Cómo sería la vida diaria?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Yes, but be careful. Using 'ser desequilibrado' is a strong insult or clinical diagnosis. Using 'estar desequilibrado' implies a temporary state of stress or lack of focus. For example, 'Está desequilibrado por el trabajo' means he's overwhelmed.

Exactly. In sports, it describes a match where one team is much stronger. 'Un partido desequilibrado' is a common phrase in Spanish sports journalism.

The feminine form is 'desequilibrada'. You must use it with feminine nouns like 'dieta', 'mesa', or 'persona'. For example, 'una vida desequilibrada'.

The 'u' is silent. It sounds exactly like the English word 'key'. So, 'des-e-KI-li-bra-do'.

Use 'inestable' for things that are shaky or likely to collapse, like a political situation or a ladder. Use 'desequilibrado' for things that lack proportion, like a budget or a diet.

Technically yes, but 'sesgado' or 'parcial' are better words for 'biased'. 'Desequilibrado' would mean the report doesn't have a good balance of sections or topics.

Yes, the noun is 'el desequilibrio'. For example, 'El desequilibrio económico es preocupante'.

Yes, it is very common in B1 level Spanish and above, especially in formal writing and news.

The plural forms are 'desequilibrados' (masculine) and 'desequilibradas' (feminine). For example, 'los presupuestos desequilibrados'.

The word itself is an adjective, but it comes from the verb 'desequilibrar', which means 'to unbalance'. For example, 'Esa noticia lo desequilibró'.

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات

اختبر نفسك 200 أسئلة

writing

Describe a time you felt 'desequilibrado' (either physically or emotionally). Use the word at least twice.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.