Meaning
Describes something that doesn't make sense or follow logical reasoning.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'Es ilógico' is often used in political debates on TV. Spaniards value directness in intellectual disagreement, and calling a policy 'ilógica' is a common rhetorical move. Mexicans might use 'No cuadra' as a more informal, colorful alternative to 'Es ilógico', especially when talking about money or suspicious stories. In Argentina, where psychoanalysis is very popular, 'ilógico' might be used to describe someone's behavior in a more 'clinical' or analytical way during a casual conversation. The phrase is a staple of 'protesta social'. It is used to point out the contradictions in developing economies, such as high costs of living vs. low wages.
The Subjunctive Shortcut
If you find the subjunctive hard, use 'Es ilógico' + infinitive. Instead of 'Es ilógico que la gente tire basura', say 'Es ilógico tirar basura'.
Avoid 'Estar'
Never say 'Está ilógico'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating directly from English 'It is' without thinking of Spanish grammar rules.
Meaning
Describes something that doesn't make sense or follow logical reasoning.
The Subjunctive Shortcut
If you find the subjunctive hard, use 'Es ilógico' + infinitive. Instead of 'Es ilógico que la gente tire basura', say 'Es ilógico tirar basura'.
Avoid 'Estar'
Never say 'Está ilógico'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating directly from English 'It is' without thinking of Spanish grammar rules.
Sound more native
Use 'Me resulta ilógico' instead of 'Es ilógico' to sound more sophisticated and express that it's your personal perception.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb in the following sentence.
Es ilógico que tú no ______ (tener) las llaves.
'Es ilógico que' triggers the subjunctive mood.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
We use 'ser' with 'ilógico' and no article is needed.
Match the response 'Es ilógico' to the most appropriate situation.
In which situation would you say 'Es ilógico'?
This situation represents a contradiction of expected rules.
Complete the dialogue.
Juan: 'El jefe quiere que trabajemos más horas por menos sueldo.' María: '¡__________! Nadie va a aceptar eso.'
Maria is expressing that the boss's demand makes no sense.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEs ilógico que tú no ______ (tener) las llaves.
'Es ilógico que' triggers the subjunctive mood.
Choose the correct option:
We use 'ser' with 'ilógico' and no article is needed.
In which situation would you say 'Es ilógico'?
This situation represents a contradiction of expected rules.
Juan: 'El jefe quiere que trabajemos más horas por menos sueldo.' María: '¡__________! Nadie va a aceptar eso.'
Maria is expressing that the boss's demand makes no sense.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be blunt. To be more polite, use 'Me parece un poco ilógico' or 'No acabo de ver la lógica'.
Usually, we say 'Él es ilógico' to mean his reasoning is bad, but 'Él es irracional' is more common for personality traits.
'Ilógico' means it violates reason; 'absurdo' means it's so far from reason it's almost funny or ridiculous.
Yes, in 99% of cases, because it's an impersonal expression of value/judgment.
No, 'ilógica' is an adjective. You could say 'Es una falta de lógica'.
Yes, it is universally understood and used from Spain to Chile.
You can say 'Tal planteamiento carece de fundamento lógico'.
Yes, it's very common to say 'El final fue ilógico'.
Yes, 'la ilógica' (rare) or 'la falta de lógica' (common).
The opposite is 'Es lógico' (It makes sense/It's logical).
Related Phrases
No tiene sentido
synonymIt doesn't make sense.
Es absurdo
similarIt's absurd.
Es coherente
contrastIt's coherent/consistent.
No tiene ni pies ni cabeza
specialized formIt has no feet nor head.
