excitado in 30 Seconds
- Excitado means physically or nervously over-stimulated.
- Be careful: it often has a strong sexual meaning in Spanish.
- In science, it refers to high energy states in atoms.
- Use 'emocionado' if you want to say you are happy/excited.
The Spanish word excitado is one of the most famous and potentially treacherous 'false friends' for English speakers. While it is etymologically related to the English word 'excited,' its usage in modern Spanish is significantly more restricted and carries connotations that can lead to awkward misunderstandings. At its core, excitado describes a state of physiological or nervous stimulation. In a strictly technical or scientific sense, it refers to a system, organ, or atom that has been moved out of its state of rest. However, in common daily conversation, the word is frequently associated with sexual arousal. Therefore, while the prompt defines it as 'feeling or showing great enthusiasm and eagerness,' a Spanish learner must approach this word with extreme caution. In most contexts where an English speaker wants to say they are 'excited' about a future event, a promotion, or a trip, the word emocionado is the correct and safe choice. To use excitado in those situations might imply a level of physical or sexual agitation that is unintended.
- Physiological Context
- Used to describe a nervous system that is over-stimulated or hyper-reactive. For example, after consuming too much caffeine, one might feel 'nerviosamente excitado' (nervously over-stimulated).
- Scientific Context
- In physics and chemistry, it refers to an atom or particle in a higher energy state than its ground state. 'Un átomo excitado' is standard terminology.
El paciente se encontraba en un estado altamente excitado debido a la medicación.
Despite the sexual connotation, there are rare literary or formal instances where excitado is used to mean 'agitated' or 'stirred up' in a non-sexual way. For instance, an 'ánimo excitado' could refer to a person who is extremely worked up or angry. However, even in these cases, native speakers often prefer words like 'alterado' or 'agitado' to avoid any ambiguity. If you are a B1 learner, the most important lesson regarding excitado is to recognize it when you hear it in scientific or medical contexts, but to use emocionado when you want to express your own enthusiasm. The nuances of this word are a perfect example of how language is not just about direct translation, but about cultural and social conventions that dictate how a word is perceived by the listener.
Tras la discusión, su sistema nervioso quedó muy excitado.
In summary, while the dictionary might list 'enthusiastic' as a secondary or tertiary meaning, the social reality of the Spanish language prioritizes the physical and sexual meanings. This makes excitado a 'danger zone' word for learners. To master it, you must understand its boundaries. It is a word of intensity, of high energy, and of loss of calm. Whether that energy is scientific, nervous, or sexual depends entirely on the context, but the safest bet for a student is to observe its use in professional literature before attempting to use it in casual conversation.
Using excitado correctly requires an understanding of Spanish adjective agreement and the distinction between the verbs ser and estar. As an adjective, it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies: excitado (masculine singular), excitada (feminine singular), excitados (masculine plural), and excitadas (feminine plural). Because it typically describes a temporary state of being or a reaction to a stimulus, it is almost exclusively paired with the verb estar.
- Agreement Rules
- El niño está excitado (The boy is over-stimulated). Las niñas están excitadas (The girls are over-stimulated).
- With Adverbs
- Commonly modified by adverbs of degree: 'extremadamente excitado,' 'visiblemente excitado,' or 'ligeramente excitado.'
El científico observó que las moléculas estaban en un estado excitado.
In a medical or psychological context, you might see excitado used to describe a patient's clinical state. In these instances, it translates more accurately to 'agitated' or 'hyper-aroused.' For example, 'El paciente llegó al hospital muy excitado y agresivo.' Here, the word conveys a lack of emotional control and high physiological energy. It is important to note that using ser excitado would imply that being in a state of high arousal is a permanent characteristic of the person, which is grammatically possible but semantically very strange and rarely used.
No es conveniente hablar con él cuando está tan excitado.
To use the word in a way that aligns with 'enthusiasm' without the sexual risk, one must provide heavy contextual clues. For example, 'El público estaba excitado por la brillante interpretación del pianista.' Even here, many native speakers would feel a slight linguistic 'itch' and might prefer 'entusiasmado.' The key takeaway for sentence construction is that excitado describes a state of high internal tension. If that tension is positive and related to an event, use emocionado. If that tension is scientific or purely physiological, excitado is your word.
You will encounter excitado in specific domains where precision about physical states is required. In the world of Science and Academia, it is a standard term. A physics professor lecturing on quantum mechanics will frequently use 'estado excitado' to describe electrons. Similarly, in a chemistry lab, a 'reactivo excitado' is one that has been energized to facilitate a reaction. In these settings, the word is completely clinical and devoid of any sexual or social awkwardness.
- Medical Reports
- Doctors use it to describe a patient's nervous system. 'Reflejos excitados' indicates hyper-responsive reflexes.
- Literature
- In 19th-century novels, you might find it describing a character's 'ánimo excitado' after a shock or a duel, meaning they are in a state of high nervous agitation.
La luz ultravioleta dejó a los electrones en un nivel excitado.
In Psychology and Psychiatry, the term 'excitación psicomotriz' is a formal diagnosis for a state of mental and physical agitation. If you are reading a medical journal or watching a medical drama in Spanish, you will hear excitado used to describe patients who are pacing, shouting, or unable to stay still. This is quite different from the English 'excited' which usually implies a happy anticipation. In Spanish, this type of 'excitement' is often distressing or pathological.
El perro estaba muy excitado por la presencia de extraños en la casa.
Lastly, you will hear it in adult contexts. In movies, television shows, or casual slang, excitado is the standard word for sexual arousal. This is the primary reason why native speakers avoid using it in polite company to mean 'happy' or 'enthusiastic.' Because this meaning is so prevalent, hearing an English speaker say 'Estoy muy excitado por el examen' (I am very excited for the exam) often results in a moment of stunned silence followed by laughter, as it sounds like the person is sexually attracted to the test.
The most common mistake, and perhaps the most embarrassing one for any Spanish learner, is the False Friend Trap. Because 'excited' and excitado look almost identical, beginners naturally assume they are interchangeable. They are not. If you want to express that you are looking forward to something with joy, excitado is almost never the right word. You should use emocionado instead. This is a mistake made by thousands of students every year, and it is a rite of passage in Spanish learning.
- Mistake 1: Social Enthusiasm
- Incorrect: 'Estoy muy excitado de verte.' (Sounds like: I am sexually aroused to see you.) Correct: 'Estoy muy emocionado de verte.'
- Mistake 2: Gender Agreement
- Incorrect: 'Ella está excitado.' Correct: 'Ella está excitada.' (Even if used correctly in a medical sense, gender must match.)
¡Qué emoción! (Not: ¡Qué excitación! - the latter sounds like 'What a turn-on!')
Another mistake involves the confusion between excitado and nervioso. While excitado implies a high-energy state that could be positive or negative (physiologically), nervioso specifically implies anxiety or worry. In English, we might say 'I'm so excited/nervous for my wedding!' In Spanish, you would say 'Estoy muy emocionado y un poco nervioso.' Using excitado here would again lead to the sexual connotation. It is vital to remember that in Spanish, the 'excitement' of anticipation is an 'emotion' (emoción), not an 'excitation' (excitación).
Estamos emocionados por el viaje a Madrid.
Finally, learners often forget that excitado can also mean 'agitated' in a negative sense. If you describe a crowd as 'excitada,' you might be implying they are on the verge of a riot, not that they are having a good time. This nuance of 'agitation' versus 'enthusiasm' is critical. To avoid all these pitfalls, follow the '90/10 Rule': 90% of the time you want to say 'excited,' use emocionado or entusiasmado. Only use excitado for the remaining 10% if you are a scientist, a doctor, or in a very specific intimate context.
Because excitado is so problematic, Spanish offers a rich variety of alternatives that more accurately capture the different shades of 'excitement.' Knowing these will make your Spanish sound more natural and help you avoid social blunders. The most versatile alternative is emocionado. This word covers the feeling of being touched, thrilled, or looking forward to something. It is the gold standard for 'excited' in Spanish.
- Entusiasmado
- Focuses on high energy and eagerness for a project, idea, or hobby. 'Estoy entusiasmado con mi nuevo trabajo.'
- Ilusionado
- A beautiful Spanish word that means 'excited with hope.' Used for weddings, pregnancies, or starting a dream business.
Los niños están muy ilusionados con la llegada de la Navidad.
If you want to describe the physical 'agitation' aspect of excitado without the sexual baggage, consider inquieto or alterado. Inquieto is perfect for a child who can't sit still because they are excited, or for someone who is restless. Alterado is used when someone's emotional state is significantly changed, often by stress or shock. For example, 'No le hagas caso, está un poco alterado por la noticia.' These words allow you to describe high-energy states with much more precision and safety.
La fiesta estaba muy animada y todos bailaban.
In a professional or academic setting, you might use interesado or motivado. Instead of saying you are 'excited' about a proposal, saying 'Estoy muy motivado con esta propuesta' sounds professional and clear. By mastering these alternatives, you not only avoid the pitfalls of excitado but also gain the ability to express the specific *type* of excitement you are feeling—whether it's hopeful (ilusionado), emotional (emocionado), energetic (entusiasmado), or professional (motivado).
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The root 'ci-' in 'excitare' is the same as in 'incite' and 'cite,' all related to movement and calling out.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'x' as just 's' (es-ci-ta-do).
- Pronouncing the 'i' like the English 'i' in 'it' instead of 'ee'.
- Making the 'd' too hard; in Spanish, 'd' between vowels is very soft, like 'th' in 'this'.
- Putting the stress on the last syllable (ex-ci-ta-DO).
- Using the English 'sh' sound for 'x'.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize but requires context to understand the exact meaning.
Difficult to use correctly without risking social embarrassment.
High risk of misuse; learners should usually avoid it.
Must distinguish between scientific and social contexts.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective Agreement
El electrón excitado / La partícula excitada.
Estar vs Ser
Estoy excitado (state) vs Soy excitado (characteristic - rare).
Adverbs of Degree
Sumamente excitado / Ligeramente excitado.
Prepositions with emotions
Excitado por algo / Emocionado con algo.
Reflexive feelings
Sentirse excitado (to feel over-stimulated).
Examples by Level
El gato está muy excitado.
The cat is very hyper/agitated.
Excitado agrees with 'el gato' (masculine).
Yo no estoy excitado.
I am not over-stimulated.
Used with 'estar' to indicate a state.
¿Estás excitada?
Are you (female) over-stimulated?
Excitada agrees with a feminine subject.
El perro está excitado por la pelota.
The dog is hyper because of the ball.
Context helps clarify it means hyperactive.
Ellos están excitados.
They are over-stimulated.
Plural masculine form.
El niño está excitado hoy.
The boy is very hyper today.
Refers to high energy/agitation.
No estés tan excitado.
Don't be so hyper.
Imperative mood with 'estar'.
El bebé está excitado.
The baby is over-stimulated.
Refers to a state of high activity.
El público estaba excitado tras el anuncio.
The audience was agitated/stirred up after the announcement.
Describes a collective state of agitation.
Su sistema nervioso está muy excitado.
His nervous system is very over-stimulated.
Medical/physiological context.
Las partículas están en un estado excitado.
The particles are in an excited state.
Scientific terminology.
No bebas café si ya estás excitado.
Don't drink coffee if you are already over-stimulated.
Refers to caffeine-induced agitation.
El ambiente estaba muy excitado en la reunión.
The atmosphere was very tense/agitated at the meeting.
Describes the 'mood' or 'atmosphere'.
Ella se sentía excitada por el ruido constante.
She felt agitated by the constant noise.
Used with 'sentirse' to describe a feeling of agitation.
Los caballos están excitados por la tormenta.
The horses are agitated by the storm.
External stimulus causing agitation.
El paciente se muestra excitado y confuso.
The patient appears agitated and confused.
Clinical description of a state.
Es normal estar excitado antes de una gran competencia.
It is normal to be hyper/agitated before a big competition.
Refers to the physical 'jitters' before an event.
El profesor explicó el estado excitado del átomo.
The professor explained the excited state of the atom.
Formal scientific use.
La música dejó al público en un estado excitado.
The music left the audience in a stirred-up state.
Describes a collective emotional/physical reaction.
Sus sentidos estaban excitados por el aroma de la selva.
His senses were stimulated by the scent of the jungle.
Refers to sensory stimulation.
El perro ladraba, muy excitado por la llegada del cartero.
The dog was barking, very hyper due to the mailman's arrival.
Common use for animal behavior.
No es bueno dormir cuando el cerebro está tan excitado.
It's not good to sleep when the brain is so over-stimulated.
Refers to mental/physiological activity.
El debate se volvió intenso y los ánimos estaban excitados.
The debate became intense and tempers were stirred up.
Metaphorical use for 'tempers' or 'spirits'.
Tras el susto, mi corazón seguía excitado.
After the scare, my heart was still racing/stimulated.
Describes a physiological response.
La cafeína mantiene el sistema nervioso en un estado excitado.
Caffeine keeps the nervous system in an over-stimulated state.
Technical/biological description.
El líder pronunció un discurso que dejó a la masa excitada.
The leader gave a speech that left the masses stirred up.
Refers to social or political agitation.
En física cuántica, un electrón excitado puede emitir un fotón.
In quantum physics, an excited electron can emit a photon.
Precise scientific terminology.
El paciente presentaba un cuadro de excitación psicomotriz.
The patient presented a case of psychomotor agitation.
Noun form used in a clinical diagnosis.
Su imaginación, excitada por la lectura, no le dejaba descansar.
His imagination, stirred up by the reading, wouldn't let him rest.
Literary use for mental stimulation.
La noticia del golpe de Estado mantuvo al país excitado.
The news of the coup kept the country in a state of agitation.
Describes a national state of tension.
Los reactivos químicos deben estar excitados para que la reacción ocurra.
The chemical reagents must be energized for the reaction to occur.
Technical use in chemistry.
A pesar de su apariencia tranquila, por dentro estaba excitado.
Despite his calm appearance, he was agitated inside.
Contrast between external and internal states.
La prosa de Nietzsche a menudo busca dejar al lector en un estado excitado.
Nietzsche's prose often seeks to leave the reader in a stirred-up state.
Intellectual/philosophical stimulation.
El umbral de excitación de las neuronas varía según el individuo.
The excitation threshold of neurons varies by individual.
Scientific noun 'excitación'.
Resulta peligroso conducir con un ánimo tan excitado y agresivo.
It is dangerous to drive with such an agitated and aggressive mood.
Focuses on the danger of high-arousal states.
La película fue criticada por su contenido altamente excitante.
The movie was criticized for its highly stimulating/arousing content.
Adjective 'excitante' (stimulating/arousing).
El tejido muscular excitado responde mediante una contracción.
Stimulated muscle tissue responds via a contraction.
Physiological terminology.
Su elocuencia mantuvo al auditorio excitado durante horas.
His eloquence kept the audience stirred up for hours.
Refers to mental and emotional engagement.
La crisis financiera provocó que los mercados estuvieran excitados.
The financial crisis caused the markets to be volatile/agitated.
Metaphorical use in finance.
Es imperativo calmar al sujeto si se encuentra demasiado excitado.
It is imperative to calm the subject if they are too agitated.
Formal/professional instruction.
La fenomenología del espíritu describe un sujeto perpetuamente excitado por lo real.
The phenomenology of spirit describes a subject perpetually stimulated by the real.
Advanced philosophical context.
Se observó una respuesta galvánica de la piel propia de un organismo excitado.
A galvanic skin response typical of a stimulated organism was observed.
High-level scientific reporting.
La dialéctica entre lo apolíneo y lo dionisíaco requiere un espíritu excitado.
The dialectic between the Apollonian and the Dionysian requires a stirred-up spirit.
Literary/cultural analysis.
La sobreexposición mediática mantiene a la población en un vilo excitado.
Media overexposure keeps the population in a state of agitated suspense.
Sociological commentary.
El poema utiliza arcaísmos para evocar un sentimiento excitado y febril.
The poem uses archaisms to evoke a stirred-up and feverish feeling.
Literary criticism.
La neuroplasticidad se ve favorecida cuando el entorno está cognitivamente excitado.
Neuroplasticity is favored when the environment is cognitively stimulating.
Neuroscientific application.
No debemos confundir el fervor patriótico con un odio excitado hacia el otro.
We must not confuse patriotic fervor with a stirred-up hatred toward the other.
Political/ethical distinction.
La sinfonía culmina en un presto excitado que desafía la técnica del violinista.
The symphony culminates in a stirred-up presto that challenges the violinist's technique.
Musicological description.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To remain in a state of high energy after a stimulus.
Se quedó excitado después del partido de fútbol.
— A feeling of high nervous intensity.
Tenía un sentimiento excitado en el pecho.
— Hyperactive or agitated behavior.
Su comportamiento excitado preocupó a los maestros.
— A mind that is over-active or racing.
Con la mente excitada es difícil concentrarse.
— Hyper-responsive physical reflexes.
El médico notó que tenía los reflejos excitados.
— A tense or agitated social atmosphere.
Había un clima excitado en la manifestación.
Often Confused With
The correct word for 'excited' as in happy or enthusiastic.
The correct word for 'excited' as in eager or full of energy for a task.
Often confused because 'excitement' can feel like 'nerves,' but 'nervioso' implies anxiety.
Idioms & Expressions
— To be extremely sensitive or easily agitated.
Hoy tiene los nervios a flor de piel, está muy excitado.
Informal— To be very hyper or full of energy.
Después del café, está como una moto, muy excitado.
Slang (Spain)— To lose control due to agitation or anger.
Estaba tan excitado que perdió los estribos.
Neutral— To be very agitated and angry.
Está que trina, su ánimo está muy excitado.
Informal— To be restless and unable to sit still.
El niño tiene hormigas en el cuerpo, está excitado.
Informal— To be in a state of anxious or excited suspense.
Estamos en ascuas esperando el resultado.
Neutral— To be excited/enthusiastic about food.
Se me hace la boca agua de solo pensarlo.
Informal— To be very happy and excited (positive).
Saltó de alegría al recibir la noticia.
Neutral— To be bursting with excitement and joy.
No cabe en sí de gozo con su nuevo coche.
Literary— To be excited and distracted (dreamy).
Desde que se enamoró, está en las nubes.
InformalEasily Confused
Looks like 'exciting.'
In Spanish, 'excitante' can mean 'exciting' (like a race), but it also frequently means 'sexually stimulating' or 'physiologically stimulating' (like caffeine).
El café es una bebida excitante.
This is the real word for 'exciting' (thrilling).
Use 'emocionante' for movies, games, or news. Use 'excitante' for substances or arousal.
La película fue muy emocionante.
Both mean 'not calm.'
Agitado is more common for physical movement (waves, heart rate). Excitado is more about internal energy.
El mar estaba agitado.
Both describe a changed state.
Alterado usually implies something is wrong or upset. Excitado is just high energy (positive or negative).
Está alterado por la multa.
Both imply high activity.
Inquieto is 'restless' or 'fidgety.' Excitado is 'stimulated.'
El niño está inquieto en clase.
Sentence Patterns
El [animal] está excitado.
El perro está excitado.
No [verbo] si estás excitado.
No conduzcas si estás excitado.
El [sustantivo científico] está en un estado excitado.
El átomo está en un estado excitado.
Su [parte del cuerpo/mente] estaba excitada por [estímulo].
Su imaginación estaba excitada por el libro.
Un ánimo [adjetivo] y excitado.
Un ánimo agresivo y excitado.
La dialéctica de un espíritu excitado por [concepto].
La dialéctica de un espíritu excitado por la belleza.
Sentirse excitado debido a [causa].
Sentirse excitado debido al exceso de café.
Parecer excitado tras [evento].
Parecer excitado tras la noticia.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Low in polite social conversation; high in specific technical fields.
-
Saying 'Estoy excitado por la fiesta.'
→
Estoy emocionado por la fiesta.
The original sounds sexual; the correct version expresses happy anticipation.
-
Using 'excitado' for 'thrilling movie.'
→
La película es emocionante.
'Excitante' is for stimuli; 'emocionante' is for things that cause a thrill.
-
Forgetting gender agreement with 'excitada.'
→
La gata está excitada.
Adjectives must match the gender of the noun.
-
Using 'ser excitado' instead of 'estar excitado.'
→
El paciente está excitado.
'Estar' is used for temporary states of agitation or arousal.
-
Confusing 'excitado' with 'nervioso' (anxious).
→
Estoy nervioso por el examen.
If you are worried/anxious, use 'nervioso.' 'Excitado' is purely about stimulation.
Tips
The False Friend Danger
Never use 'excitado' to mean 'happy/excited' in a social setting. You will almost certainly be misunderstood.
Scientific Safety
In physics or chemistry class, 'excitado' is the perfectly correct and professional term for energy states.
The 'Emocionado' Rule
If you are a student, just use 'emocionado.' It is 100% safe and always correct for positive excitement.
Agreement Matters
Remember to change the ending: excitado (m), excitada (f), excitados (mp), excitadas (fp).
Animal Contexts
Using 'excitado' for a dog playing with a ball is generally acceptable and won't be seen as sexual.
Use 'Ilusionado'
'Ilusionado' is a beautiful alternative for being excited about something special like a wedding or a new baby.
Professional Use
In a medical report, 'excitado' describes a patient's level of agitation. It is a formal, clinical term.
Listen for the 'X'
Native speakers pronounce the 'x' clearly as 'ks' in 'excitado.' Practice this to sound more natural.
Avoid in Emails
In a work email, never say you are 'excitado' about a project. Use 'entusiasmado' or 'interesado' instead.
Regional Differences
In some parts of Latin America, the word is even more taboo than in Spain. When in doubt, leave it out.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of an 'Exit' sign. When you see an exit, you might be 'excitado' to leave a boring meeting, but remember that in Spanish, it's a 'danger exit' because of the sexual meaning!
Visual Association
Imagine an atom with electrons jumping around wildly (scientific meaning) or a person shaking from too much coffee (agitated meaning).
Word Web
Challenge
Try to explain the difference between 'excitado' and 'emocionado' to a friend in Spanish using at least three sentences.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'excitatus,' the past participle of 'excitare.'
Original meaning: To rouse, to call forth, to wake up, or to stimulate.
Romance (Latin root)Cultural Context
Always assume 'excitado' has a sexual meaning unless the context is clearly scientific or medical.
English speakers use 'excited' for everything from a new sandwich to a wedding. Spanish speakers use specific words for each.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Science Class
- El átomo está excitado.
- Nivel de energía excitado.
- Estado excitado del electrón.
- Partícula excitada.
Medical/Psychological
- Paciente excitado.
- Sistema nervioso excitado.
- Excitación psicomotriz.
- Respuesta excitada.
Talking about Pets
- El perro está excitado.
- Se pone excitado con la correa.
- Está excitado por salir.
- Muy excitado con la comida.
Literature
- Ánimo excitado.
- Mente excitada.
- Corazón excitado.
- Espíritu excitado.
Social (Warning Context)
- Estoy excitado (Avoid!)
- Me siento excitado (Avoid!)
- ¿Estás excitado? (Avoid!)
- Qué excitante (Careful!)
Conversation Starters
"¿Sabías que 'excitado' es un falso amigo muy peligroso en español?"
"¿Alguna vez has dicho 'estoy excitado' cuando querías decir 'estoy emocionado'?"
"¿En qué contextos científicos has escuchado la palabra 'excitado'?"
"¿Cómo describirías a un perro que está muy, muy activo sin usar 'excitado'?"
"¿Por qué crees que 'emocionado' es una palabra más segura para los estudiantes?"
Journal Prompts
Describe una vez que te sentiste muy emocionado por algo, pero explica por qué no usarías la palabra 'excitado'.
Escribe un pequeño párrafo sobre un experimento científico usando el término 'estado excitado'.
Reflexiona sobre cómo los falsos amigos como 'excitado' pueden cambiar la forma en que nos comunicamos.
Haz una lista de 5 situaciones donde 'emocionado' es mejor que 'excitado'.
Imagina que eres un profesor de español. Explica a tus alumnos el peligro de la palabra 'excitado'.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you should avoid it. It will likely be understood as 'I am sexually aroused.' Use 'Estoy emocionado' or 'Tengo muchas ganas' instead.
Not always, but the connotation is so strong that native speakers avoid it in social settings. It is safe in science or medicine.
Words like 'inquieto,' 'nervioso,' or 'muy activo' are much better and safer than 'excitado.'
It refers to an atom, molecule, or system that has a higher energy level than its ground state after being stimulated.
'Emocionado' is for happy/thrilled emotions. 'Excitado' is for physiological/sexual arousal or nervous agitation.
It's safer than 'excitado,' but still carry some risk. 'Emocionante' is the best word for 'exciting' (like a movie).
Yes, it is common to use it for dogs or cats that are over-stimulated by play or a stimulus, and it's less awkward than using it for humans.
It is a medical term for a state of extreme physical restlessness and mental agitation, often seen in psychiatric contexts.
Because it looks like the English 'excited' but has a vastly different primary meaning (aroused/agitated) in social Spanish.
Say 'Tengo muchas ganas de...' or 'Me hace mucha ilusión...'
Test Yourself 98 questions
Write a sentence using 'excitado' to describe a scientific state.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using 'emocionado' instead of 'excitado' for a holiday.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Pronounce 'excitado' correctly, emphasizing the 'ks' sound for the X.
Read this aloud:
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen to the sentence: 'El perro está excitado'. Does it sound sexual or about energy?
/ 98 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'excitado' is a dangerous false friend. While it technically means 'stimulated,' it usually implies sexual arousal or extreme nervous agitation. Always use 'emocionado' for positive enthusiasm.
- Excitado means physically or nervously over-stimulated.
- Be careful: it often has a strong sexual meaning in Spanish.
- In science, it refers to high energy states in atoms.
- Use 'emocionado' if you want to say you are happy/excited.
The False Friend Danger
Never use 'excitado' to mean 'happy/excited' in a social setting. You will almost certainly be misunderstood.
Scientific Safety
In physics or chemistry class, 'excitado' is the perfectly correct and professional term for energy states.
The 'Emocionado' Rule
If you are a student, just use 'emocionado.' It is 100% safe and always correct for positive excitement.
Agreement Matters
Remember to change the ending: excitado (m), excitada (f), excitados (mp), excitadas (fp).
Example
Los niños estaban excitados con la idea de ir al parque de atracciones.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
a diferencia de
B1Unlike; in contrast to.
abatido
B1Feeling or showing great sadness or discouragement; dejected.
abatimiento
B2State of being low in spirits; dejection or depression.
abatir
B1To make someone feel dejected or disheartened.
abierto/a de mente
B2Open-minded; willing to consider new ideas; unprejudiced.
aborrecer
B1To regard with disgust and hatred; to loathe.
abrazar
A1To put one's arms around someone as a sign of affection.
abrazo
A1An act of holding someone closely in one's arms; a hug.
abrumador
B1Overpowering; very great or intense.
abrumar
B1To overwhelm (someone) with a large amount of something.
