Meaning
To disregard or pay no attention to something or someone.
Cultural Background
In Spain, the phrase is frequently used in political journalism to describe the 'sordera' (deafness) of the government toward the opposition. In Mexico, it's common to hear this in formal education settings. A teacher might use it to reprimand a student who is intentionally being defiant. In Argentina, while 'hacer caso omiso' is used, you will more often hear 'ningunear' if the intent is to socially diminish someone. In many legal systems across LatAm, 'hacer caso omiso' is the standard terminology in court documents for 'contempt' or 'failure to comply'.
Sound more native
Use this phrase in job interviews when talking about how you handle negative feedback or distractions.
The 'Omiso' trap
Never say 'hacer caso omisa'. Even if you are a woman ignoring another woman, it stays 'omiso'.
Meaning
To disregard or pay no attention to something or someone.
Sound more native
Use this phrase in job interviews when talking about how you handle negative feedback or distractions.
The 'Omiso' trap
Never say 'hacer caso omisa'. Even if you are a woman ignoring another woman, it stays 'omiso'.
Social weight
Be careful using this with elders; it can sound quite disrespectful as it implies you are consciously rejecting their wisdom.
Writing boost
Replace 'ignorar' with 'hacer caso omiso' in your Spanish essays to instantly reach a B2/C1 writing level.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition (a/de) and the correct form of 'omiso'.
El conductor hizo caso ______ ______ las advertencias del GPS.
'Omiso' is always masculine singular, and 'a' is the correct preposition here.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a formal context?
Select the best option:
This sentence uses the phrase in a formal, appropriate context with correct grammar.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the verb 'hacer'.
—¿Por qué no te pusiste el casco? —Porque ______ caso omiso a las reglas.
The preterite 'hice' is used to describe a completed action in the past.
Match the situation to the most appropriate phrase.
A politician ignores a public protest.
This is a formal, deliberate act of disregarding, which fits the phrase perfectly.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEl conductor hizo caso ______ ______ las advertencias del GPS.
'Omiso' is always masculine singular, and 'a' is the correct preposition here.
Select the best option:
This sentence uses the phrase in a formal, appropriate context with correct grammar.
—¿Por qué no te pusiste el casco? —Porque ______ caso omiso a las reglas.
The preterite 'hice' is used to describe a completed action in the past.
A politician ignores a public protest.
This is a formal, deliberate act of disregarding, which fits the phrase perfectly.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be. It's more formal than 'ignorar', so in a social setting, it sounds like a very deliberate and cold snub.
No. It implies you were aware of the thing but chose to ignore it. For forgetting, use 'olvidar'.
Both are correct. 'A' is more common in modern speech, while 'de' is often found in literature and legal documents.
Rarely. It's an adjective meaning 'negligent', but you'll almost never see it outside of this specific expression.
Yes, it is a universal phrase understood from Spain to Argentina.
No, the order is fixed. It must always be 'hacer caso omiso'.
The opposite is simply 'hacer caso', which means to obey or pay attention.
Absolutely! It's a 'power phrase' that makes you sound much more fluent and sophisticated.
Use the preterite of 'hacer': hice, hiciste, hizo, hicimos, hicisteis, hicieron.
Yes, 'Hice caso omiso a Juan' means you ignored what Juan was saying or his presence.
Related Phrases
Hacer oídos sordos
similarTo turn a deaf ear
Pasar por alto
synonymTo overlook
Desoír
synonymTo disregard/not listen
Hacer caso
contrastTo pay attention/obey
Ningunear
specialized formTo treat as a nobody
