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B1 noun 11 min de lectura

demandado

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos demandado en 30 segundos

Explicación demandado in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn Spanish. You probably won't use the word 'demandado' every day, but it is good to know it means 'a person with a legal problem.' Imagine someone has to go to see a judge because they didn't pay for something. That person is the 'demandado.' You can think of it as 'the person being sued.' In English, we say 'defendant.' You might see this word in a simple news story or a movie about a court. At this level, just remember that 'demandado' is a person, and it has to do with the law and judges. If the person is a man, we say 'el demandado.' If the person is a woman, we say 'la demandada.' It comes from the verb 'demandar,' which in a court means 'to sue.' Even though you are a beginner, knowing this word helps you understand that Spanish has special words for different jobs and roles in society. Don't worry about the complex legal rules yet; just remember: demandado = person in a lawsuit. It is a noun, which means it is a naming word. You can use it in a simple sentence like 'El demandado está en la oficina' (The defendant is in the office). This helps you build your vocabulary for more serious topics later on.

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As an A2 learner, you are building more specific vocabulary. The word 'demandado' is important for understanding basic news and social situations. In Spanish, 'demandado' refers to the defendant in a civil case. This means it's about things like money, contracts, or property, not usually about crimes like stealing. You should know the pair: 'demandante' is the person who starts the lawsuit, and 'demandado' is the person who has to answer. For example, if a landlord sues a tenant for rent, the tenant is the 'demandado.' You will often see this word with the verb 'ser' (to be) or 'estar' (to be). For instance, 'Él es el demandado' (He is the defendant). It is also the past participle of the verb 'demandar.' This means you can use it to say someone 'has been sued': 'Él ha sido demandado.' Notice how the ending changes: 'demandado' for a man, 'demandada' for a woman, and 'demandados' for more than one person. At this level, focus on recognizing the word in texts about business or legal issues. It's a formal word, so you won't use it with your friends while having coffee, but you will see it in newspapers and on TV news. It's a great 'power word' to show you understand how formal Spanish works.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more complex topics, including professional and legal contexts. 'Demandado' is a key term here. It specifically refers to the defendant in civil litigation. You should be able to distinguish it from 'acusado,' which is used for criminal trials. When you use 'demandado,' you are talking about a party in a 'proceso civil' (civil process). You might use it in sentences like 'El demandado tiene que presentar su defensa' (The defendant has to present his defense). It's also important to understand the collocations, or words that often go together with 'demandado.' For example, 'notificar al demandado' (to notify the defendant) or 'la contestación del demandado' (the defendant's response). At this level, you should also be aware that 'demandado' can be an adjective meaning 'in demand' or 'requested,' although the legal noun is more common in intermediate study materials. If you are reading a contract or a news report about a company dispute, 'el demandado' will be the entity fighting the claim. Remember to use the 'personal a' when the 'demandado' is the object of a verb, such as 'El juez llamó a la demandada' (The judge called the defendant). Mastering this word helps you transition from basic conversational Spanish to a more professional or academic level, allowing you to discuss rights, responsibilities, and legal outcomes.

At the B2 level, your understanding of 'demandado' should be quite nuanced. You should understand that while 'demandado' is the defendant in civil law, the term carries specific procedural implications. For example, a 'demandado' has the right to 'allanarse' (to accept the claims) or 'oponerse' (to oppose them). You will encounter this word in complex texts about human rights, corporate law, and international disputes. You should also be comfortable using it in the passive voice: 'La multinacional fue demandada por daños ambientales' (The multinational was sued for environmental damage). At this level, you should also recognize the term 'codemandado' when multiple parties are involved in a single lawsuit. Your vocabulary should include related terms like 'legitimación pasiva,' which refers to the legal standing of the 'demandado' to be part of the case. When writing or speaking, you can use 'demandado' to discuss the balance of power in legal systems. For instance, you might analyze whether a 'demandado' with fewer resources has a fair chance against a large 'demandante.' You should also be careful not to confuse the legal 'demandar' with the English 'to demand' (which is 'exigir' in Spanish). A B2 student knows that 'demandar' implies a formal judicial action. This precision in vocabulary is what distinguishes an upper-intermediate speaker from a lower-intermediate one, showing a deeper grasp of how Spanish functions in institutional settings.

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For C1 learners, 'demandado' is a term you must use with absolute precision within the framework of Spanish and Latin American legal systems. You should understand the 'principio de contradicción,' which ensures that the 'demandado' has the opportunity to defend themselves against the 'pretensiones' of the plaintiff. At this level, you should be able to discuss the 'carga de la prueba' (burden of proof) and how it shifts between the 'demandante' and the 'demandado' depending on the type of case. You will encounter the word in academic journals, high-level judicial rulings (sentencias), and sophisticated political discourse. You should be able to use the term in complex sentence structures, such as 'Resulta imperativo que el demandado sea debidamente emplazado para garantizar el debido proceso' (It is imperative that the defendant be duly summoned to guarantee due process). You should also be aware of the stylistic variations; for example, referring to 'la parte demandada' instead of just 'el demandado' to maintain a formal, objective tone. Furthermore, a C1 student should understand the implications of a 'demandado rebelde' (a defendant in default who fails to appear). Your ability to discuss the 'demandado' in the context of 'jurisprudencia' (case law) and 'doctrina legal' will demonstrate a near-native command of the language in professional spheres. You should also be able to explain the difference between 'demandado' and 'querellado' (the person against whom a 'querella' or criminal complaint is filed), showing a high level of legal literacy in Spanish.

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At the C2 level, you possess a mastery of 'demandado' that allows you to navigate the most intricate legal and philosophical discussions. You understand the 'demandado' not just as a person in a lawsuit, but as a subject of law with 'derechos fundamentales' (fundamental rights) that are protected by the constitution. You can analyze the 'capacidad procesal' of a 'demandado'—their legal capacity to be sued—and discuss complex scenarios involving 'litisconsorcio pasivo' (where multiple defendants are legally inseparable in a case). In your writing, you might use 'demandado' when discussing the evolution of civil law from Roman roots to modern digital-era disputes. You should be able to critique judicial systems based on how they treat the 'demandado,' using terms like 'indefensión' (lack of legal defense) and 'tutela judicial efectiva' (effective judicial protection). A C2 speaker can seamlessly move between the noun form and the past participle in highly technical ways, such as 'el demandado, habiendo sido demandado en repetidas ocasiones, presentó una excepción de cosa juzgada' (the defendant, having been sued repeatedly, presented a plea of res judicata). You understand the subtle rhetorical weight the word carries in different Spanish-speaking jurisdictions, from the 'Juzgados de lo Civil' in Spain to the 'Tribunales de Instancia' in Latin America. Your command of the word is indistinguishable from that of a native legal professional, allowing you to engage in high-level debates about justice, equity, and the procedural integrity of the 'parte demandada'.

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Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos

demandado en 30 segundos

Demandado means 'defendant' in a civil lawsuit context in Spanish.
It is the person or entity responding to a formal legal claim (demanda).
Distinguish it from 'acusado', which is used for criminal cases.
The feminine form is 'demandada' and the plural is 'demandados'.

The Spanish word demandado serves as a cornerstone in the legal vocabulary of the Spanish-speaking world. Primarily functioning as a masculine noun (or demandada in the feminine), it identifies the individual, group, or entity against whom a formal legal claim or lawsuit has been filed. In English, the most direct and accurate translation is defendant, specifically within the context of civil litigation. While English often uses 'defendant' for both civil and criminal cases, Spanish speakers frequently distinguish between a demandado (civil) and an acusado (criminal), making this term essential for anyone navigating legal discussions, news reports, or administrative procedures in a Spanish-speaking country.

Legal Standing: The demandado is the party responding to a 'demanda' (lawsuit). They are the target of the 'pretensiones' (claims) made by the 'demandante' (plaintiff). Understanding this role is crucial because the demandado has specific procedural rights, such as the right to be notified and the right to provide a 'contestación' (defense).
Civil vs. Criminal Nuance: In common parlance, you might hear people use 'demandado' loosely, but in strict legal Spanish, it refers to civil matters like contract disputes, divorces, or property claims. If someone is being tried for a crime like theft or assault, they are more properly called the 'acusado' or 'procesado'. Using demandado in a criminal context might mark you as a learner who hasn't yet mastered the fine lines of legal terminology.
Passive Voice Usage: The word is also the past participle of the verb 'demandar'. Therefore, 'ha sido demandado' translates to 'has been sued'. This dual nature as a noun and a participle allows for flexible sentence structures, though its role as a noun defining a person is what students at the B1 level should focus on mastering.

El abogado defensor presentó las pruebas necesarias para demostrar la inocencia del demandado en el juicio civil.

Translation: The defense lawyer presented the necessary evidence to demonstrate the defendant's innocence in the civil trial.

Beyond the courtroom, demandado can occasionally appear in commercial contexts to describe a product or service that is 'in high demand' (highly sought after), although the noun form for 'demand' is 'demanda'. For instance, 'un producto muy demandado' means a highly requested product. However, when used as a noun referring to a person, it is almost exclusively legal. In news broadcasts, you will frequently hear phrases like 'la parte demandada' (the defendant party), which adds a layer of formality to the reporting. Whether you are reading a newspaper in Madrid, watching a legal drama in Mexico City, or following a contract dispute in Buenos Aires, recognizing demandado as the person in the 'hot seat' of a civil case is vital for full comprehension.

La empresa, en su calidad de demandada, debe responder a las alegaciones en un plazo de quince días.

El juez notificó oficialmente al demandado sobre el inicio del proceso legal por incumplimiento de contrato.

Es fundamental que el demandado cuente con asesoría legal profesional desde el primer momento.

Si el demandado no se presenta a la audiencia, el juicio podría continuar en su ausencia.

Using demandado correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a noun and its gender agreement. Because it refers to a person, it must agree with the gender of that person: el demandado for a male or a general entity, and la demandada for a female. When referring to a group, use the plural los demandados or las demandadas. This word typically appears as the subject or the object of a sentence involving legal actions, such as 'notificar' (to notify), 'absolver' (to acquit/clear), or 'condenar' (to sentence/order to pay).

As a Subject: When the demandado is the one performing an action in the sentence, like filing a response. Example: 'El demandado negó todas las acusaciones' (The defendant denied all accusations).
As a Direct Object: When something is being done to the defendant. Example: 'El juez citó al demandado a declarar' (The judge summoned the defendant to testify). Note the use of the 'personal a' here because the object is a person.
In Prepositional Phrases: Commonly used with 'contra' (against) or 'por parte de' (on the part of). Example: 'La demanda fue interpuesta contra el demandado' (The lawsuit was filed against the defendant).

It is important to distinguish between the noun and the adjective. While 'el demandado' is the person, you might also see it describing something, such as 'el servicio demandado' (the requested service). However, in 90% of intermediate-level Spanish texts, it will refer to the person in court. Let's look at more complex structures where the word provides essential context for the legal narrative.

A pesar de las pruebas, el demandado sostuvo que no tenía conocimiento del error administrativo.

El tribunal falló a favor del demandado, desestimando la demanda por falta de mérito.

La demandada solicitó una prórroga para presentar sus argumentos de defensa ante el magistrado.

Furthermore, in business Spanish, you might encounter the term in the context of 'demandado por daños y perjuicios' (sued for damages). This is a very common phrase in corporate environments. Even if you aren't a lawyer, knowing this term helps you understand news about tech giants, environmental disputes, or labor conflicts. The word carries a weight of responsibility and legal scrutiny that 'acusado' (criminal) doesn't always imply in the same way, as 'demandado' often involves financial restitution rather than jail time.

You are most likely to encounter demandado in three primary settings: news media, legal/administrative documents, and television dramas. In the news, particularly in sections labeled 'Economía' or 'Sociedad', journalists use this word to describe parties in high-profile lawsuits. For example, if a famous singer is being sued by a former employee for unpaid wages, the singer is the demandado. In legal documents, the term is used with clinical precision to ensure there is no ambiguity about who is being required to respond to the court's orders.

Television and Cinema: Legal dramas (telenovelas de corte legal) or crime shows often feature intense scenes where the 'demandado' is questioned. Shows like 'Ana Tramel. El juego' or 'Vota Juan' might use these terms to heighten the tension of a legal battle. Listening for this word in these contexts helps you understand the power dynamic between the characters.
News and Journalism: Headlines often read: 'El demandado se niega a pagar la indemnización' (The defendant refuses to pay the compensation). This is common in reports about consumer rights, environmental protection, or labor disputes.
Everyday Bureaucracy: If you ever have to deal with a rental dispute or a small claims court in a Spanish-speaking country, you will see this word on every form. Understanding it is not just academic; it's a practical necessity for navigating life abroad.

En el noticiero de hoy, informaron que el gigante tecnológico es el principal demandado por violar leyes de privacidad.

El guion de la película se centra en la lucha del demandado por limpiar su reputación tras una acusación falsa.

Socially, calling someone a 'demandado' outside of a legal context is rare and would sound overly formal or humorous. However, you might hear it in workplace discussions: 'Hemos sido demandados por un ex-empleado' (We have been sued by a former employee). In this sense, the word acts as a signal of a serious, formal conflict that has moved beyond simple disagreement into the realm of the state's judicial power. It is a word that demands attention and usually implies that lawyers are now involved.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using demandado is confusing it with the English word 'demanded' in a general sense. While demandado is the past participle of demandar, in Spanish, demandar primarily means 'to sue' or 'to file a claim'. If you want to say 'He demanded an explanation', you should use 'exigió' (from exigir), not 'demandó'. Using demandado here would make it sound like he sued an explanation in court!

Confusion with 'Acusado': As mentioned, using demandado for a criminal defendant (like a bank robber) is technically incorrect. Use 'acusado' for criminal law and 'demandado' for civil law. Mixing them up won't always stop people from understanding you, but it sounds unpolished.
Gender Agreement Errors: Many learners forget that if the defendant is a woman, the word must be 'la demandada'. If it's a company (una empresa), it is often referred to as 'la demandada' because 'empresa' is feminine. 'La empresa demandada' is the standard phrase.
The 'Personal A' Omission: Because a demandado is a person, when they are the direct object of a verb, you must use 'a'. Incorrect: 'Buscan el demandado'. Correct: 'Buscan al demandado'.

Incorrecto: El hombre fue demandado por robar una tienda (Criminal).
Correcto: El hombre fue acusado de robar una tienda.

Incorrecto: Ella es el demandado.
Correcto: Ella es la demandada.

Another subtle mistake is the placement of adjectives. While you can say 'el demandado rico', it's more common in legal Spanish to see 'el demandado' followed by a relative clause, like 'el demandado, quien reside en Madrid...'. This follows the formal style of legal writing. Lastly, don't confuse demandado with demanda (the lawsuit itself). You can't say 'He leído el demandado' if you mean you read the lawsuit documents; you must say 'He leído la demanda'.

Spanish has several words that overlap with demandado, each with its own specific context. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the right word for the right situation, especially as you move toward B2 and C1 levels of proficiency.

Acusado vs. Demandado: Acusado: Used in criminal law (e.g., murder, theft). The state is usually the one bringing the charges.
Demandado: Used in civil law (e.g., debt, divorce, contracts). A private individual or company is bringing the claim.
Procesado / Encausado: These are more technical terms used during the middle of a legal process. A 'procesado' is someone who has been formally indicted or against whom a trial process has officially begun. It is more common in criminal law but can appear in complex civil litigations.
Reo: An older, more dramatic term for a person charged with a crime. It is less common in modern civil law but frequently appears in literature and historical texts. It carries a stronger connotation of guilt than 'demandado'.
Parte Pasiva: In very technical legal writing, you might see 'la parte pasiva' to refer to the defendant. This highlights that they are the ones receiving the action of the lawsuit.

Mientras que el acusado enfrenta penas de prisión, el demandado suele enfrentar sanciones económicas o reparaciones civiles.

El abogado del demandado argumentó que su cliente no era la parte pasiva legitimada en este proceso.

In summary, while 'demandado' is your go-to for 'defendant', being aware of 'acusado' for crimes and 'parte pasiva' for technical contexts will significantly elevate your Spanish. Remember that 'demandado' is tied to 'demanda' (the lawsuit), so as long as there is a civil claim involved, 'demandado' is the correct person to identify.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

In old Spanish, 'demandar' could also mean 'to ask' or 'to search for' in a non-legal sense, which is why we still see 'demanda' used in economics for 'consumer demand'.

Guía de pronunciación

UK /de.man.ˈda.ðo/

US /de.mɑn.ˈda.ðo/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: de-man-DA-do.

Rima con

amado estado cuidado pasado abogado juzgado lado mercado

Errores comunes

Pronouncing the 'd' too hard like in 'dog'. In Spanish, 'd' between vowels is soft.
Stressing the wrong syllable, like de-MAN-da-do.
Mixing the 'a' sound with an English 'u' sound.
Pronouncing 'man' like the English word 'man' instead of the Spanish 'mahn'.
Treating the final 'o' like an 'ow' sound.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 3/5

Common in news and formal texts, easy to recognize.

Escritura 4/5

Requires knowledge of gender agreement and specific legal verbs.

Expresión oral 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but requires correct stress.

Escucha 3/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to catch in formal speech.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

juez ley corte persona hablar

Aprende después

demandante sentencia apelación litigio jurisprudencia

Avanzado

legitimación emplazamiento rebeldía allanamiento excepción

Gramática que debes saber

Personal 'a' with human objects

El juez llamó **al** demandado.

Gender agreement for nouns

La empresa es la **demandada**.

Past participle as an adjective

El hombre **demandado** no habló.

Passive voice with 'ser'

Él **fue demandado** por su socio.

Pluralization of nouns ending in 'o'

Los **demandados** llegaron tarde.

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Ejemplos por nivel

El demandado está en la corte hoy.

The defendant is in court today.

Subject 'el demandado' with the verb 'estar' for location.

La demandada habla con el juez.

The defendant (female) speaks with the judge.

Feminine form 'la demandada' used as the subject.

El demandado no tiene dinero.

The defendant has no money.

Simple negation 'no tiene' with the noun.

Yo veo al demandado.

I see the defendant.

Use of 'al' (a + el) because the defendant is a person.

El demandado es un hombre joven.

The defendant is a young man.

Use of 'ser' to describe a characteristic.

Los demandados son tres personas.

The defendants are three people.

Plural form 'los demandados'.

La policía busca al demandado.

The police are looking for the defendant.

'Personal a' used with the verb 'buscar'.

El demandado necesita un abogado.

The defendant needs a lawyer.

Simple present tense verb 'necesita'.

El demandado tiene que pagar la deuda.

The defendant has to pay the debt.

'Tiene que' + infinitive to express obligation.

La demandada no vino a la audiencia.

The defendant (female) did not come to the hearing.

Preterite tense 'no vino' for a past action.

El juez escuchó al demandado ayer.

The judge listened to the defendant yesterday.

Preterite tense with 'personal a'.

El demandado escribió una carta al tribunal.

The defendant wrote a letter to the court.

Direct object 'una carta' and indirect object 'al tribunal'.

Ellos son los demandados en este caso.

They are the defendants in this case.

Plural subject and verb agreement.

El demandado ha sido muy honesto.

The defendant has been very honest.

Present perfect tense 'ha sido'.

La abogada defiende al demandado.

The lawyer (female) defends the defendant.

Verb 'defender' with 'personal a'.

El demandado vive en esta ciudad.

The defendant lives in this city.

Simple present tense expressing a fact.

El demandado presentó una contestación a la demanda.

The defendant filed a response to the lawsuit.

Specific legal vocabulary 'contestación a la demanda'.

Es necesario notificar al demandado inmediatamente.

It is necessary to notify the defendant immediately.

Impersonal expression 'es necesario' + infinitive.

El demandado niega haber firmado el contrato.

The defendant denies having signed the contract.

Verb 'negar' followed by 'haber' + participle.

La empresa demandada solicitó más tiempo para investigar.

The defendant company requested more time to investigate.

Adjective 'demandada' agreeing with the feminine noun 'empresa'.

El juez falló a favor del demandado por falta de pruebas.

The judge ruled in favor of the defendant due to lack of evidence.

Phrase 'fallar a favor de' (to rule in favor of).

Si el demandado no comparece, perderá el caso.

If the defendant does not appear, he will lose the case.

First conditional: 'si' + present, future.

El demandado afirma que actuó de buena fe.

The defendant claims he acted in good faith.

Legal idiom 'de buena fe' (in good faith).

El demandado y el demandante llegaron a un acuerdo.

The defendant and the plaintiff reached an agreement.

Compound subject with plural verb 'llegaron'.

La carga de la prueba recae sobre el demandante, no sobre el demandado.

The burden of proof lies with the plaintiff, not the defendant.

Legal concept 'carga de la prueba'.

El demandado fue declarado en rebeldía por no asistir al juicio.

The defendant was declared in default for not attending the trial.

Passive voice 'fue declarado' and legal term 'en rebeldía'.

El abogado del demandado impugnó la validez de los testimonios.

The defendant's lawyer contested the validity of the testimonies.

Verb 'impugnar' (to contest/challenge).

A pesar de ser el demandado, se mostró muy colaborativo con el tribunal.

Despite being the defendant, he was very collaborative with the court.

'A pesar de' + infinitive 'ser'.

El demandado interpuso un recurso de apelación contra la sentencia.

The defendant filed an appeal against the sentence.

Verb 'interponer' used with 'recurso'.

La responsabilidad civil del demandado quedó demostrada en el proceso.

The defendant's civil liability was demonstrated during the process.

Noun phrase 'responsabilidad civil'.

El demandado alegó que el plazo de prescripción había expirado.

The defendant alleged that the statute of limitations had expired.

Legal term 'plazo de prescripción'.

Se notificó a los codemandados sobre la nueva fecha de la audiencia.

The co-defendants were notified of the new hearing date.

Impersonal 'se' construction for notification.

La legitimación pasiva del demandado fue cuestionada por la defensa en la audiencia previa.

The defendant's legal standing was questioned by the defense in the preliminary hearing.

Technical term 'legitimación pasiva'.

El demandado se allanó a las pretensiones del actor para evitar mayores costas procesales.

The defendant accepted the plaintiff's claims to avoid higher legal costs.

Verb 'allanarse' (to acquiesce/accept claims).

No se puede condenar al demandado sin haberle otorgado el derecho a ser oído.

The defendant cannot be sentenced without having been granted the right to be heard.

Infinitive 'haberle otorgado' with indirect object 'le'.

El demandado solicitó la declinatoria por falta de competencia territorial del juzgado.

The defendant requested a plea to the jurisdiction due to the court's lack of territorial competence.

Technical legal term 'declinatoria'.

La insolvencia del demandado impidió el cobro efectivo de la indemnización fijada.

The defendant's insolvency prevented the effective collection of the fixed compensation.

Abstract noun 'insolvencia' as the subject.

El demandado, en su escrito de defensa, articuló una serie de excepciones procesales.

The defendant, in his defense brief, articulated a series of procedural exceptions.

Appositive phrase 'en su escrito de defensa'.

Se presume la buena fe del demandado mientras no se demuestre lo contrario.

The defendant's good faith is presumed as long as the contrary is not proven.

Passive 'se presume' and 'mientras no' + subjunctive.

El demandado buscó amparo legal ante la posible vulneración de sus derechos fundamentales.

The defendant sought legal protection against the possible violation of his fundamental rights.

Legal term 'amparo' (protection/relief).

La indefensión del demandado viciaría de nulidad todo el procedimiento judicial posterior.

The defendant's lack of defense would render the entire subsequent judicial procedure null and void.

Conditional 'viciaría' and legal phrase 'viciar de nulidad'.

El tribunal analizó si el demandado poseía la capacidad de obrar necesaria para ser parte en el litigio.

The court analyzed whether the defendant possessed the necessary legal capacity to be a party in the litigation.

Technical term 'capacidad de obrar'.

La estrategia del demandado consistió en dilatar el proceso mediante constantes incidentes de nulidad.

The defendant's strategy consisted of delaying the process through constant motions for nullity.

Verb 'consistir en' followed by infinitive 'dilatar'.

Resulta cuestionable la responsabilidad extracontractual que se le imputa al demandado en este supuesto.

The non-contractual liability attributed to the defendant in this case is questionable.

Complex noun phrase 'responsabilidad extracontractual'.

El demandado invocó el principio de cosa juzgada para solicitar el sobreseimiento de la causa.

The defendant invoked the principle of res judicata to request the dismissal of the case.

Latin-derived legal phrase 'cosa juzgada'.

La falta de arraigo del demandado motivó la adopción de medidas cautelares de carácter real.

The defendant's lack of ties to the community prompted the adoption of precautionary measures of a financial nature.

Legal term 'falta de arraigo' and 'medidas cautelares'.

El demandado se amparó en el secreto profesional para no revelar ciertos datos sensibles.

The defendant relied on professional secrecy to not reveal certain sensitive data.

Pronominal verb 'ampararse en'.

La disparidad de recursos entre el demandante y el demandado plantea un dilema ético sobre la igualdad de armas.

The disparity of resources between the plaintiff and the defendant poses an ethical dilemma about the equality of arms.

Metaphorical legal concept 'igualdad de armas'.

Colocaciones comunes

notificar al demandado

el abogado del demandado

la parte demandada

contestar el demandado

fallar contra el demandado

declarar al demandado

absolver al demandado

identificar al demandado

condenar al demandado

emplazar al demandado

Frases Comunes

Ser demandado por...

— To be sued for a specific reason.

Fue demandado por incumplimiento de contrato.

El demandado en rebeldía

— A defendant who fails to appear in court.

El demandado en rebeldía perdió sus derechos procesales.

Notificación al demandado

— The act of officially informing the defendant.

La notificación al demandado se hizo por correo.

Defensa del demandado

— The legal arguments used by the defendant.

La defensa del demandado fue muy sólida.

Citar al demandado

— To summon the defendant to court.

El juez decidió citar al demandado para el lunes.

La empresa demandada

— The company being sued.

La empresa demandada es una multinacional.

Derechos del demandado

— The legal rights of the person being sued.

Debemos respetar los derechos del demandado.

Domicilio del demandado

— The legal address of the defendant.

Necesitamos el domicilio del demandado para enviarle la carta.

Costas para el demandado

— Legal fees the defendant must pay if they lose.

El juez impuso las costas para el demandado.

Allanamiento del demandado

— When the defendant accepts the plaintiff's claims.

El allanamiento del demandado puso fin al juicio.

Se confunde a menudo con

demandado vs acusado

Acusado is for criminal law (jail), demandado is for civil law (money/contracts).

demandado vs demandante

Demandante is the one who sues; demandado is the one being sued.

demandado vs exigido

Exigido means 'demanded' in a general sense, while demandado is specifically legal.

Modismos y expresiones

"Ponerse en el lugar del demandado"

— To empathize with the person being accused or sued.

Debes ponerte en el lugar del demandado antes de juzgar.

Colloquial

"Estar muy demandado"

— To be highly sought after (referring to a product or skill).

Este modelo de coche está muy demandado este año.

Commercial

"Sentarse en el banquillo de los demandados"

— To be under intense scrutiny or in a position where one must defend themselves.

El director tuvo que sentarse en el banquillo de los demandados ante la junta.

Metaphorical

"Ser el eterno demandado"

— To be someone who is constantly blamed or sued.

Esa constructora es la eterna demandada por sus malos acabados.

Colloquial

"Demandar la luna"

— To ask for something impossible (related to the verb demandar).

El demandante está demandando la luna con esa indemnización.

Idiomatic

"Sin demandado no hay demanda"

— A logical rule: you can't have a case without someone to sue.

Necesitamos identificar a alguien; sin demandado no hay demanda.

Legal saying

"Cargarle el muerto al demandado"

— To shift all the blame onto the defendant.

Intentaron cargarle el muerto al demandado, pero él era inocente.

Slang/Informal

"El demandado tiene la última palabra"

— Referring to the procedural right to speak last in some jurisdictions.

En este juicio, el demandado tiene la última palabra.

Formal

"Medir al demandado"

— To evaluate the strength or strategy of the opposing party.

El abogado pasó meses midiendo al demandado.

Professional

"Poner contra las cuerdas al demandado"

— To put the defendant in a very difficult position during trial.

Las nuevas pruebas pusieron contra las cuerdas al demandado.

Colloquial

Fácil de confundir

demandado vs acusado

Both refer to a person in court.

Acusado is used in criminal trials for crimes like theft. Demandado is used in civil trials for things like debt.

El acusado de asesinato fue a prisión; el demandado por deuda pagó el dinero.

demandado vs demandante

They sound similar and are used together.

The demandante starts the fight; the demandado responds to it.

El demandante presentó la queja contra el demandado.

demandado vs procesado

Both are legal terms for a person on trial.

Procesado implies a formal indictment has occurred in a criminal context.

El demandado civil no es necesariamente un procesado penal.

demandado vs reo

Both mean someone in a legal battle.

Reo is more dramatic and often implies the person is already found guilty or in prison.

El reo cumplió su condena en la cárcel.

demandado vs querellado

Both are targets of legal action.

Querellado is specifically the target of a 'querella' (a private criminal complaint).

El querellado debe responder por injurias y calumnias.

Patrones de oraciones

El demandado + [verb] + [object].

El demandado tiene un abogado.

El demandado + [past tense verb] + [prepositional phrase].

El demandado habló con el juez.

[Subject] + ha sido demandado por + [reason].

Juan ha sido demandado por su ex-jefe.

A pesar de ser el demandado, + [clause].

A pesar de ser el demandado, él está tranquilo.

La parte demandada + [formal verb] + que + [subjunctive clause].

La parte demandada solicita que se anule el juicio.

Dada la condición de demandado de + [name], + [complex clause].

Dada la condición de demandado de la empresa, se procedió al embargo.

El abogado del demandado + [verb] + [legal term].

El abogado del demandado presentó la defensa.

Si el demandado + [subjunctive], + [future].

Si el demandado no asistiera, perdería el caso.

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

demanda

demandante

demandada

Verbos

demandar

Adjetivos

demandado

demandable

Relacionado

juez

abogado

juicio

tribunal

ley

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Common in legal, news, and business Spanish.

Errores comunes

Using 'demandado' for a thief. → El acusado de robo.
Robbery is a crime, so you must use 'acusado'. 'Demandado' is only for civil matters like debts.
Saying 'El demandado' for a woman. → La demandada.
Spanish requires gender agreement. Always use the feminine form for women or companies (empresas).
Omitting the 'personal a'. → Busco al demandado.
When a person is the direct object, you must use 'a'. 'Busco el demandado' is grammatically incorrect.
Confusing 'demandado' with 'demanda'. → He leído la demanda.
The 'demanda' is the document/lawsuit. The 'demandado' is the person. You cannot 'read' a person.
Using 'demandar' to mean 'to demand' something from a friend. → Exigir una explicación.
In Spanish, 'demandar' is almost always legal. For general demands, use the verb 'exigir'.

Consejos

Gender Matters

Always match 'demandado' or 'demandada' to the person's gender. If it's a company, use 'la demandada' because 'empresa' is feminine.

Civil vs. Criminal

Use 'demandado' for money/contract issues and 'acusado' for crimes. This is the most common mistake for English speakers.

Formal Tone

In professional emails or essays, use 'la parte demandada' instead of just 'el demandado' to sound more objective.

The 'D' Rule

Remember: Demandado = Defendant. Both start with D and both are the ones being sued in court.

Soft 'D'

The 'd' in the middle of 'demandado' should be very soft, like the 'th' in 'weather'. Avoid a hard 'd' sound.

News Clues

If you see 'demandado' in a headline, look for the word 'multa' or 'pago'. This confirms it's a civil financial case.

Personal 'A'

Don't forget: 'El juez notificó AL demandado'. Since it's a person, the 'a' is mandatory.

Rights

Knowing this word helps you understand your rights if you ever have a rental or contract dispute in a Spanish-speaking country.

Common Pairs

Learn 'demandante y demandado' together. It's much easier to remember them as a set than individually.

Double Meaning

If you hear 'un producto muy demandado', it means 'a high-demand product'. The context will tell you if it's legal or commercial.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Demand' that has been 'Done' to someone. The person who has the demand 'done' to them is the 'demand-ado'.

Asociación visual

Imagine a person sitting in a courtroom chair with a big 'D' (for Defendant/Demandado) on their chest, looking at a judge.

Word Web

Juicio Abogado Corte Ley Justicia Dinero Contrato Sentencia

Desafío

Try to write three sentences using 'demandado' in the context of a landlord-tenant dispute.

Origen de la palabra

Derived from the Latin verb 'demandare', which meant 'to entrust', 'to hand over', or 'to commission'. Over time, the legal sense of 'making a formal request or claim' became dominant.

Significado original: To entrust or to give in charge.

Romance (Latin)

Contexto cultural

Avoid using 'demandado' as an insult; it is a neutral legal term, though it implies conflict.

English speakers often use 'defendant' for both 'demandado' and 'acusado'. Be careful to use 'demandado' only for civil suits.

The TV show 'Ana Tramel. El juego' features many scenes with 'demandados' in the gambling industry. High-profile cases like the 'Caso Gürtel' in Spain often involve many 'demandados' and 'acusados'. Legal thrillers by Juan Gómez-Jurado often use this terminology.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Civil Lawsuit

Contestar la demanda
Pruebas de la defensa
Notificación legal
Comparecencia

Labor Dispute

Empresa demandada
Despido improcedente
Indemnización
Conciliación

Divorce Proceedings

Cónyuge demandado
Pensión alimenticia
Custodia
Acuerdo mutuo

Real Estate Conflict

Inquilino demandado
Desahucio
Impago de rentas
Lanzamiento

Business News

Gigante tecnológico demandado
Patentes
Monopolio
Sanción millonaria

Inicios de conversación

"¿Has escuchado que la empresa vecina es el demandado en un juicio?"

"¿Qué derechos crees que debe tener siempre un demandado?"

"Si fueras el abogado del demandado, ¿cuál sería tu primera acción?"

"¿Crees que es justo que el demandado pague los gastos del juicio?"

"¿Cómo cambia la vida de una persona cuando se convierte en un demandado?"

Temas para diario

Escribe sobre un caso ficticio donde tú eres el abogado del demandado.

Describe los sentimientos de un demandado que sabe que es inocente.

Compara el papel del demandado con el del demandante en un juicio civil.

Analiza cómo los medios de comunicación tratan a un demandado famoso.

Reflexiona sobre la importancia de que todo demandado tenga un abogado.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

La diferencia principal es el tipo de juicio. El 'demandado' se usa en juicios civiles, como problemas de contratos, divorcios o deudas. El 'acusado' se usa en juicios penales, donde se juzgan delitos como robos o crímenes. Es un error común usar 'demandado' para alguien que ha cometido un crimen grave. Por ejemplo, 'El demandado por no pagar el alquiler' es correcto, pero 'El demandado por robo a mano armada' debería ser 'El acusado'.

Sí, pero debes cambiar la terminación. En español, si la persona es mujer, se dice 'la demandada'. Esto es muy importante para la concordancia gramatical. Por ejemplo: 'La demandada no se presentó al juicio'. Si te refieres a una empresa, como 'empresa' es femenino, también se usa 'la empresa demandada'.

Es un término legal técnico. Significa que el demandado ha sido notificado del juicio pero ha decidido no presentarse o no responder en el tiempo legal. Esto suele tener consecuencias negativas, ya que el juicio continúa sin su defensa. Por ejemplo: 'Al no contestar la demanda, el juez declaró al demandado en rebeldía'.

En un caso criminal, la palabra correcta es 'acusado', 'procesado' o 'imputado'. Aunque en inglés 'defendant' sirve para ambos casos, en español es fundamental hacer la distinción para sonar natural y profesional. 'El acusado de fraude' suena mucho mejor que 'el demandado de fraude' en un contexto penal.

Puede ser ambos. Como sustantivo, significa 'el defendant' (la persona). Como adjetivo, es el participio del verbo 'demandar' y puede significar 'sued' (ha sido demandado) o incluso 'requested' (un servicio muy demandado). En el contexto de aprendizaje B1, solemos enfocarnos en su uso como sustantivo legal.

Un 'codemandado' es una de las varias personas o entidades que están siendo demandadas juntas en el mismo caso legal. Por ejemplo, si demandas a una tienda y a su dueño al mismo tiempo, ambos son codemandados. Es un término común en casos de responsabilidad compartida.

Los verbos más comunes son: 'notificar' (informar), 'absolver' (declarar inocente), 'condenar' (declarar culpable/responsable), 'citar' (llamar a la corte) y 'contestar' (responder a la demanda). Conocer estos verbos te ayudará a formar oraciones completas y correctas.

La palabra opuesta a 'demandado' es 'demandante'. Es la persona que inicia la demanda. Otra palabra técnica, especialmente en textos legales antiguos o muy formales, es 'el actor'. Recordar el par 'demandante' y 'demandado' es clave para entender cualquier proceso judicial.

Se usa la 'a' personal porque el demandado es un ser humano (o se trata como una entidad jurídica con personalidad). En español, cuando el objeto directo es una persona, debemos poner 'a' antes. Ejemplo: 'El abogado defiende al demandado' (a + el = al).

Sí, es un término estándar en todo el mundo hispanohablante, desde España hasta Argentina y México. Aunque puede haber pequeñas variaciones en otros términos legales, 'demandado' es universal para referirse a la parte pasiva en un litigio civil.

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