divorciada
When discussing marital status in Spanish, you'll find specific terms for different situations. For a woman who is divorced, the term is divorciada. This adjective changes its ending to agree with the gender and number of the person or people it describes.
So, if you're talking about a divorced man, you would use divorciado. If you're referring to multiple divorced women, it would be divorciadas, and for multiple divorced men or a mixed group, divorciados. This grammatical agreement is a key feature of Spanish adjectives.
§ What 'Divorciada' Means
The Spanish word divorciada is an adjective. It's used to describe a woman who has legally divorced her spouse. Think of it as the direct equivalent of 'divorced' when talking about a female in English. It's a common and straightforward term you'll encounter when discussing marital status in Spanish-speaking contexts.
- Definition
- Having legally separated from one's spouse; divorced (female).
The word comes from the verb divorciar, which means 'to divorce.' When you add the feminine ending '-a' to the past participle divorciado, you get divorciada, specifically for women.
§ When to Use 'Divorciada'
You use 'divorciada' anytime you need to state that a woman is divorced. This could be in casual conversation, formal introductions, or even official documents. It's a factual description of her marital status.
- When introducing someone: "Ella es divorciada." (She is divorced.)
- When describing a person's status: "Mi tía es divorciada." (My aunt is divorced.)
- In response to a question about marital status: "¿Es casada?" "No, es divorciada." (Is she married? No, she is divorced.)
It's important to remember that 'divorciada' specifically refers to a woman. If you were talking about a man, you would use 'divorciado' (with an 'o' at the end). This gender agreement is a fundamental part of Spanish grammar.
§ Examples in Sentences
Let's look at some practical examples to see 'divorciada' in action.
Mi hermana es divorciada y tiene dos hijos.
Hint: My sister is divorced and has two children.
La nueva vecina es una mujer divorciada muy amable.
Hint: The new neighbor is a very kind divorced woman.
Después de años de matrimonio, se declaró divorciada.
Hint: After years of marriage, she declared herself divorced.
Notice how 'divorciada' can be used directly after the verb 'ser' (to be) or before a noun, just like other adjectives in Spanish. Its placement is flexible, similar to English adjectives.
§ Common Phrases and Contexts
You'll often hear 'divorciada' in phrases related to personal status or life events. It's a neutral term, simply stating a fact.
- Estar divorciada: To be divorced (e.g., Ella está divorciada. - She is divorced.)
- Mujer divorciada: Divorced woman (e.g., Es una mujer divorciada. - She is a divorced woman.)
- Estado civil: divorciada: Marital status: divorced (commonly seen on forms or official documents.)
The use of 'divorciada' is very common and understood across all Spanish-speaking regions. There are no significant regional variations or slang terms that would replace this direct translation in a general context.
In summary, 'divorciada' is a key vocabulary word for anyone learning Spanish at a B1 level. It's direct, practical, and essential for discussing marital status accurately. Pay attention to the gender agreement, and you'll use it correctly every time.
Wusstest du?
The word 'divorce' in English also comes from the same Latin root.
Schwierigkeitsgrad
short and common
short and common
short and common
short and common
Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest
Voraussetzungen
Als Nächstes lernen
Fortgeschritten
Beispiele nach Niveau
Mi hermana es divorciada.
My sister is divorced.
Feminine singular adjective matching 'hermana'.
Ella vive en una casa pequeña. Es divorciada.
She lives in a small house. She is divorced.
Can be used as a predicate adjective.
La mujer divorciada tiene dos hijos.
The divorced woman has two children.
Used as an adjective before the noun.
¿Eres divorciada?
Are you divorced? (addressing a female)
Question form, using 'usted' or 'tú' form implicitly.
Mi tía es divorciada y feliz.
My aunt is divorced and happy.
Adjective can be followed by another adjective.
No, ella no está casada. Es divorciada.
No, she is not married. She is divorced.
Contrast with 'casada' (married).
La señora es divorciada desde hace cinco años.
The lady has been divorced for five years.
Using 'desde hace' to indicate duration.
Ella es una madre soltera y divorciada.
She is a single and divorced mother.
Can be used with other descriptive adjectives.
Mi tía es divorciada y vive sola desde hace cinco años.
My aunt is divorced and has lived alone for five years.
Here, 'divorciada' functions as an adjective describing 'tía' (aunt).
La mujer divorciada decidió empezar un nuevo capítulo en su vida.
The divorced woman decided to start a new chapter in her life.
Again, 'divorciada' modifies 'mujer' (woman).
¿Eres casada, soltera o divorciada?
Are you married, single, or divorced?
Common question asking about marital status, using 'divorciada' for a female.
Ella se siente muy bien siendo una mujer divorciada e independiente.
She feels very good being a divorced and independent woman.
Multiple adjectives describe 'mujer', all agreeing in gender and number.
Después de muchos años, mi amiga finalmente es divorciada.
After many years, my friend is finally divorced.
'Es' (is) used with 'divorciada' to describe a permanent state.
La abogada de la mujer divorciada manejó el caso con mucha habilidad.
The lawyer for the divorced woman handled the case very skillfully.
'Divorciada' modifies 'mujer' within a possessive phrase.
Cuando una persona es divorciada, a veces busca nuevas amistades.
When a person is divorced, sometimes they look for new friendships.
Although 'persona' is feminine, if referring to a general 'person' that could be male or female, 'divorciado' could also be used. Here, it implies a female person.
Ella era divorciada y tenía dos hijos adolescentes.
She was divorced and had two teenage children.
'Era' (was) used with 'divorciada' to describe a past state.
A pesar de ser divorciada, nunca perdió la esperanza en el amor y finalmente encontró a su alma gemela.
Despite being divorced, she never lost hope in love and finally found her soulmate.
La decisión de vender la casa familiar fue especialmente difícil para ella, ya que significaba cerrar un capítulo como mujer divorciada.
The decision to sell the family home was especially difficult for her, as it meant closing a chapter as a divorced woman.
Como madre divorciada, se enfrentó a desafíos únicos al equilibrar su carrera profesional con la crianza de sus hijos.
As a divorced mother, she faced unique challenges balancing her professional career with raising her children.
Su autobiografía detalla su viaje desde una joven ilusionada hasta una mujer divorciada que reconstruyó su vida con una fortaleza admirable.
Her autobiography details her journey from a hopeful young woman to a divorced woman who rebuilt her life with admirable strength.
La sociedad a menudo juzga a la mujer divorciada de manera diferente que al hombre, una realidad que ella desafió con su éxito.
Society often judges a divorced woman differently than a man, a reality she challenged with her success.
Tras años de matrimonio, se encontró divorciada y con la necesidad de redescubrir su identidad fuera de esa relación.
After years of marriage, she found herself divorced and needing to rediscover her identity outside of that relationship.
La comunidad la apoyó incondicionalmente cuando se convirtió en una mujer divorciada, ofreciéndole ayuda y comprensión.
The community unconditionally supported her when she became a divorced woman, offering her help and understanding.
A pesar de las dificultades económicas como divorciada, logró fundar su propia empresa y convertirse en una empresaria exitosa.
Despite the economic difficulties as a divorced woman, she managed to found her own company and become a successful businesswoman.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Means legally separated, but not divorced. The marriage is still technically valid.
Means single, never married. Distinct from having been married and then divorced.
Means widowed; the marriage ended due to the death of the spouse, not divorce.
Leicht verwechselbar
Often confused with 'separada' (separated) or 'soltera' (single). While related, they have distinct legal and social meanings.
'Divorciada' specifically means legally divorced. 'Separada' means legally separated but not yet divorced. 'Soltera' means never married or single, without the context of a previous marriage.
Mi tía es divorciada y vive sola ahora. (My aunt is divorced and lives alone now.)
Can be confused with 'divorciada'. The key difference is the legal finality.
'Separada' implies a legal separation where the couple is living apart, but the marriage has not been legally dissolved. 'Divorciada' means the marriage is legally over.
Están separados desde hace un año, pero aún no se han divorciado. (They have been separated for a year, but they haven't divorced yet.)
While it means 'single', it can be confusing in the context of 'divorciada' or 'viuda' (widowed).
'Soltera' means a person who has never been married. 'Divorciada' is someone who was married and then divorced. 'Viuda' is someone whose spouse has died.
Ella es soltera y no tiene hijos. (She is single and has no children.)
The opposite of 'divorciada' and 'soltera', but crucial to understand its specific meaning in contrast.
'Casada' means currently married. This is distinct from being divorced or never married.
Mi hermana está casada y tiene dos hijos. (My sister is married and has two children.)
Another marital status that can be confused with 'divorciada' because both imply a previous marriage, but the reason for the end of the marriage is different.
'Viuda' means a woman whose husband has died. 'Divorciada' means a woman whose marriage ended through legal divorce.
La señora es viuda y vive con su hija. (The lady is a widow and lives with her daughter.)
Tipps
Gender Matters in Spanish
In Spanish, adjectives often change their ending to match the gender of the noun they describe. Since 'divorciada' refers to a woman, it ends in '-a'. If referring to a man, it would be 'divorciado'. This is a common pattern for many adjectives.
Common Adjective Ending
Many Spanish adjectives that end in -o in the masculine singular form will end in -a for the feminine singular. This is a very frequent pattern, so keep an eye out for it. Think of 'alto' (tall, masculine) and 'alta' (tall, feminine).
Use with Ser
You'll typically use 'divorciada' with the verb 'ser' (to be) to describe someone's marital status. For example, 'Ella es divorciada' (She is divorced).
Plural Form
To make 'divorciada' plural, you would add an -s: 'divorciadas' (divorced women). For example, 'Ellas son divorciadas' (They are divorced).
Related Vocabulary
Other related words include 'casado/a' (married), 'soltero/a' (single), and 'viudo/a' (widowed). Learning these together helps build your vocabulary around marital status.
Don't Confuse with 'Separada'
While similar, 'separada' (separated) implies a legal separation but not necessarily a finalized divorce. 'Divorciada' means the divorce is complete. There's a subtle but important legal difference.
Marital Status in Conversation
In some Spanish-speaking cultures, inquiring about marital status can be more common in casual conversation than in some English-speaking cultures. Be mindful of cultural nuances when discussing personal topics.
Noun Use
Sometimes, 'divorciada' can also be used as a noun, meaning 'a divorced woman'. For example, 'Conocí a una divorciada' (I met a divorced woman). This is less common but good to recognize.
Practice with Examples
Create your own sentences using 'divorciada' to solidify your understanding. For example: 'Mi tía es divorciada' (My aunt is divorced).
Wortherkunft
Latin 'divortium'
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: separation, divorce
Indo-European (Italic branch)Kultureller Kontext
In Spanish-speaking cultures, while divorce rates vary by country, the term 'divorciada' specifically refers to a woman who has legally divorced her spouse. Historically, there might have been some social stigma associated with divorce in more conservative societies, but this view is evolving. The word itself is neutral, simply stating a legal status. It is useful to know that adjectives in Spanish change based on gender, so 'divorciado' would be used for a male.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenDivorciada is used for a woman who is divorced, while divorciado is used for a man. It's an adjective, so it changes to match the gender of the person you're describing.
No, divorciada (and divorciado) specifically refers to a person who has gotten a divorce. You wouldn't use it to describe an object or a situation.
You would say, 'Yo soy divorciada' or more commonly just 'Soy divorciada.' The 'yo' (I) is often omitted in Spanish.
Yes, it's a neutral and polite term. It simply states a marital status, similar to 'married' or 'single'.
While divorciada is the most common and direct term, you might sometimes hear 'separada' (separated), which can imply a legal separation, but divorciada clearly means the marriage has ended legally.
You can use it like this: 'Mi hermana es divorciada.' (My sister is divorced.) Or 'Ella es una mujer divorciada.' (She is a divorced woman.)
No, it's a descriptive term and does not inherently carry negative connotations. Its meaning is purely about marital status.
If you don't know the gender, you would typically use the masculine form as a default when referring to a group of mixed gender or an unknown individual, but when talking about a specific person, you should use the correct gender. For example, if you're talking about 'a divorced person' in general, you might use 'una persona divorciada,' matching the gender of 'persona'.
It functions as both an adjective ('She is divorced') and can sometimes be used as a noun ('The divorced woman'). For example, 'Ella es una divorciada' (She is a divorced woman), though it's more common to use it as an adjective.
It's pronounced dee-vor-SYAH-dah. The stress is on the 'SYAH' syllable.
Teste dich selbst 18 Fragen
Write a short sentence saying 'She is divorced.' in Spanish. Use the word 'divorciada'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ella es divorciada.
Imagine your friend's sister is divorced. How would you describe her status in a simple Spanish sentence? Use 'mi amiga's hermana'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La hermana de mi amiga es divorciada.
Write a Spanish sentence saying 'My mother is divorced.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mi madre es divorciada.
What is María's marital status?
Read this passage:
María no está casada. Ella es divorciada.
What is María's marital status?
The passage says 'Ella es divorciada,' which means 'She is divorced.'
The passage says 'Ella es divorciada,' which means 'She is divorced.'
What is true about Ana?
Read this passage:
Mi tía se llama Ana. Ella no tiene esposo. Ella es divorciada.
What is true about Ana?
The passage states 'Ella no tiene esposo. Ella es divorciada,' meaning 'She does not have a husband. She is divorced.'
The passage states 'Ella no tiene esposo. Ella es divorciada,' meaning 'She does not have a husband. She is divorced.'
What describes 'la vecina' (the neighbor)?
Read this passage:
La vecina de mi amiga es una mujer muy amable. Ella es divorciada y vive sola.
What describes 'la vecina' (the neighbor)?
The passage says 'Ella es divorciada y vive sola,' meaning 'She is divorced and lives alone.'
The passage says 'Ella es divorciada y vive sola,' meaning 'She is divorced and lives alone.'
This sentence means 'She is divorced.' in English. The natural order is subject-verb-adjective.
This sentence means 'My mom is divorced.' The possessive adjective comes before the noun, then the verb and the adjective.
This is a question: 'Is she divorced?' In Spanish questions, the verb often comes before the subject.
Focus on understanding 'divorciada' in context.
Listen for who is being described as 'divorciada'.
Pay attention to the message about being 'divorciada'.
Read this aloud:
Ella es una mujer divorciada muy fuerte e independiente.
Focus: divor-cia-da
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Mi tía, que es divorciada, siempre me da buenos consejos.
Focus: di-vor-cia-da
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Conocí a una escritora divorciada muy interesante en la feria del libro.
Focus: di-vor-cia-da
Du hast gesagt:
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/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
Gender Matters in Spanish
In Spanish, adjectives often change their ending to match the gender of the noun they describe. Since 'divorciada' refers to a woman, it ends in '-a'. If referring to a man, it would be 'divorciado'. This is a common pattern for many adjectives.
Common Adjective Ending
Many Spanish adjectives that end in -o in the masculine singular form will end in -a for the feminine singular. This is a very frequent pattern, so keep an eye out for it. Think of 'alto' (tall, masculine) and 'alta' (tall, feminine).
Use with Ser
You'll typically use 'divorciada' with the verb 'ser' (to be) to describe someone's marital status. For example, 'Ella es divorciada' (She is divorced).
Context is Key
While 'divorciada' specifically means 'divorced (female)', remember that the broader context of the sentence will always clarify meaning. Pay attention to the subject of the sentence.
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