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B1 adjective #10,000 most common 14 min read

sudoroso

Top 10,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips sudoroso in 30 Seconds

Explanation sudoroso in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just beginning to describe the world around you with simple words. 'Sudoroso' might seem a bit long, but it is very useful! Think of it as the word 'sweaty.' You use it when you are hot or after you play sports. At this level, you mainly use it with 'estar.' For example: 'Yo estoy sudoroso' (I am sweaty). You also need to remember that if you are a girl, you say 'sudorosa.' If you are talking about more than one person, you say 'sudorosos' or 'sudorosas.' It is a great word to use when you want to explain why you need a shower or why you don't want to wear a jacket. Just remember: Calor -> Sudor -> Sudoroso. It is a simple chain! You will mostly hear this in very basic conversations about the weather or how you feel after running. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on matching the ending of the word to the person you are talking about. If the person is a 'él' (he), use 'sudoroso.' If the person is a 'ella' (she), use 'sudorosa.' It is a fun word to say because of the 's' sounds. Try saying it slowly: su-do-ro-so. It sounds a bit like the moisture it describes! You can use it to describe your hands (manos) or your face (cara). 'Tengo la cara sudorosa' is a perfect A1 sentence. It shows you know how to describe your body and how you feel in the heat. This word helps you move beyond just saying 'I am hot' (Tengo calor) to actually describing how the heat is affecting your body. It is a step toward being more descriptive in your Spanish.

As an A2 learner, you are expanding your ability to describe physical sensations and daily routines. 'Sudoroso' becomes more frequent in your vocabulary when you talk about your hobbies, like going to the gym or playing football with friends. You can now use it in more complex sentences, perhaps adding 'porque' (because). For example: 'Estoy sudoroso porque corrí cinco kilómetros' (I am sweaty because I ran five kilometers). You should also start noticing how 'sudoroso' is used with body parts. Remember that in Spanish, we say 'Tengo las manos sudorosas' (I have the sweaty hands) instead of 'Mis manos están sudorosas.' This is a key A2 grammar point. You are also learning to use 'muy' (very) and 'un poco' (a little) to change the intensity. 'Él está un poco sudoroso' is a subtle way to describe someone. You might also start hearing the word in simple stories or videos where characters are in the sun or working hard. It is a very 'physical' word, and using it correctly shows you are getting comfortable with adjectives that end in '-oso.' This suffix is common in Spanish for words that mean 'full of' something. Just like 'ruidoso' (noisy/full of noise) or 'famoso' (famous/full of fame), 'sudoroso' means full of 'sudor' (sweat). Understanding this pattern will help you learn many other adjectives at this level. You can also use it to talk about the weather in a more detailed way. Instead of just saying 'hace calor' (it's hot), you can say 'hace tanto calor que estoy sudoroso' (it's so hot that I am sweaty). This connects the environment to your physical state, which is a hallmark of A2 level communication.

At the B1 level, you are moving into more nuanced descriptions and can use 'sudoroso' to describe emotions as well as physical states. You understand that someone might be 'sudoroso' not because of the heat, but because they are nervous (nervioso) or anxious (ansioso). This is a common way the word is used in social situations or in literature. For instance, you might describe a character in a book: 'Estaba sudoroso ante la idea de confesar su secreto' (He was sweaty at the idea of confessing his secret). You are also becoming more adept at using the verb 'sentirse' (to feel) with this adjective. 'Me siento sudoroso' is a more internal, subjective way of speaking than 'estoy sudoroso.' You should also be able to distinguish between 'sudoroso' and 'sudado.' Remember that 'sudado' is often for clothes, while 'sudoroso' is for the skin. If you say 'mi t-shirt is sudorosa,' a native speaker will understand you, but they might think it sounds a bit strange; they would prefer 'mi camiseta está sudada.' At B1, you are refining these small details that make your Spanish sound more natural. You can also use 'sudoroso' in the past tense to describe how you felt: 'Ayer estaba tan sudoroso que tuve que ducharme dos veces.' You are also learning to use it in the plural and feminine forms without thinking twice. 'Las palmas sudorosas' is a classic phrase for someone who is scared or excited. This word is a key part of your 'descriptive toolkit' at this level, allowing you to paint a more vivid picture for your listener or reader. You can also use it in more formal contexts, such as describing a patient's symptoms or explaining a physical reaction to a medication. It is a versatile, intermediate-level word that bridges the gap between basic physical description and more complex emotional storytelling.

By the B2 level, you should be using 'sudoroso' with total confidence and incorporating it into advanced grammatical structures. You might use it in conditional sentences: 'Si no hubiera corrido tanto, no estaría tan sudoroso' (If I hadn't run so much, I wouldn't be so sweaty). You are also aware of regional variations, like the use of 'transpirado' in Argentina or Uruguay, and you can switch between them depending on who you are talking to. At this level, you can use 'sudoroso' in more abstract or literary ways. You might describe the 'ambiente sudoroso' of a crowded nightclub or the 'aire sudoroso' of a tropical jungle. You understand the sensory impact of the word—it's not just about the liquid, but about the heat, the smell, and the discomfort associated with it. You can also use it in passive or impersonal constructions: 'Se le veía sudoroso y agotado' (He looked sweaty and exhausted). Your vocabulary is rich enough to pair 'sudoroso' with other sophisticated adjectives like 'jadeante' (panting) or 'pálido' (pale) to create a complete physical profile of a person. You are also more aware of the register; you know that 'sudoroso' is a standard, neutral word, while 'hecho una sopa' is very informal. You can navigate these registers easily. Furthermore, you can discuss the biological or psychological reasons for being 'sudoroso' using more advanced vocabulary. You might talk about the 'glándulas sudoríparas' (sweat glands) or 'reacciones psicosomáticas' (psychosomatic reactions). At B2, 'sudoroso' is no longer just a word you 'know'; it's a word you 'own,' using it with the same flexibility and nuance as a native speaker to describe both the mundane and the dramatic aspects of life.

At the C1 level, your use of 'sudoroso' is highly sophisticated. You can use it in complex literary analysis or in high-level professional discussions. You recognize the word's ability to evoke a specific atmosphere. For example, in a C1 level essay, you might write about how a filmmaker uses 'primeros planos de rostros sudorosos' (close-ups of sweaty faces) to heighten the sense of claustrophobia and tension in a scene. You are also sensitive to the subtle connotations of the word. You know that calling someone 'sudoroso' can sometimes carry a slightly negative or even visceral undertone, depending on the context, and you use this to your advantage in your own writing. You can also explore the etymology of the word, connecting it to other Latin-rooted words in the 'sudor' family, such as 'sudario' (shroud) or 'sudoríparo.' Your mastery of the language allows you to use 'sudoroso' in highly idiomatic or metaphorical ways that a lower-level learner might not grasp. You might describe a 'negociación sudorosa' to imply it was difficult, hard-fought, and required immense effort from all parties. You are also comfortable with the word in its more rare forms, perhaps encountering 'sudoriento' in an old text and immediately recognizing it as a variant of 'sudoroso.' At this level, you are not just communicating; you are performing with the language. You use 'sudoroso' as part of a rich, textured vocabulary that allows you to express every shade of meaning, from the literal physical state to the deepest metaphorical implications of human effort and anxiety. You can discuss the word's role in the 'realismo sucio' (dirty realism) literary movement, where physical descriptions like being 'sudoroso' are used to ground the narrative in a gritty, unvarnished reality.

As a C2 learner, you have reached a near-native or native-like level of proficiency. 'Sudoroso' is a word you use instinctively and with perfect precision. You understand the deepest cultural resonances of the term across the Spanish-speaking world. You can identify how the word might be used differently in a poem by Lorca versus a modern Mexican screenplay. Your ability to use 'sudoroso' is integrated into a vast linguistic network; you know exactly when to use it and when to opt for a more obscure synonym or a colorful regionalism to achieve a specific effect. You can handle the most complex grammatical structures with ease, such as using 'sudoroso' in an absolute clause or within a highly stylized rhetorical device. You might use the word to discuss the 'estética de lo sudoroso' in certain art forms, analyzing how the representation of sweat on the human body has changed from classical sculpture to modern photography. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but also sociocultural. You can speak about the 'clase sudorosa' in a socio-political context, referring to the working class with a term that evokes their physical labor. You are also a master of irony and can use 'sudoroso' in a sarcastic or humorous way that requires a deep understanding of social norms and expectations. At C2, 'sudoroso' is a tiny but perfectly polished tool in your immense linguistic arsenal. You can use it to describe the world with such vividness and accuracy that your listeners or readers are transported directly into the scene you are creating. Whether you are writing a novel, delivering a keynote speech, or engaging in a heated debate, 'sudoroso' is a word that you use with effortless grace and total command.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

sudoroso in 30 Seconds

Sudoroso is a Spanish adjective meaning 'sweaty' or 'perspiring,' used to describe people or body parts.
It comes from the noun 'sudor' (sweat) and follows standard Spanish gender and number agreement rules.
Commonly used with the verb 'estar' to describe temporary physical or emotional states like heat or nervousness.
It is a versatile word found in everyday conversation, sports, medical contexts, and descriptive literature.

The Spanish adjective sudoroso is a descriptive term used to characterize someone or something that is covered in sweat or actively perspiring. Derived from the noun sudor (sweat) and the suffix -oso (meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by'), it functions similarly to the English word 'sweaty.' In the Spanish-speaking world, this word is essential for describing physical states resulting from various stimuli, ranging from intense physical exertion at the gym to the oppressive humidity of a tropical afternoon in Cartagena or the nervous anticipation before a significant job interview. Understanding sudoroso requires recognizing that it is more than just a biological observation; it often carries a weight of effort, discomfort, or even emotional distress depending on the context in which it is employed by the speaker.

Physical Exertion: This is the most common use, describing an athlete or a worker after performing a task that requires significant energy. It highlights the visible presence of moisture on the skin.

El corredor llegó a la meta con el rostro sudoroso y una sonrisa de triunfo.

Beyond physical activity, sudoroso is frequently used to describe the effects of high temperatures. In many Spanish-speaking countries, where the climate can be intensely hot, being sudoroso is a daily reality. It is used to describe how people look while waiting for a bus or walking through a sun-drenched plaza. There is also a psychological dimension; if someone is lying or feeling extremely anxious, their hands might become sudorosas. This physiological response to stress is a common trope in Spanish literature and film to indicate a character's internal turmoil or lack of confidence. The word captures the visceral, tactile nature of the human body reacting to its environment and its internal state.

Environmental Heat: Used when the ambient temperature causes the body to sweat without necessarily performing any physical movement, such as sitting in a room without air conditioning.

Entramos en la habitación y el aire estaba tan viciado que todos nos sentimos sudorosos al instante.

Emotional Stress: Describes the physical manifestation of fear, anxiety, or nervousness, particularly in the palms of the hands or the forehead.

Sus manos sudorosas delataban su nerviosismo antes de la gran presentación.

In a medical or health context, sudoroso can also describe a patient experiencing a fever or a sudden drop in blood pressure. Doctors might ask if the patient feels 'frío y sudoroso' (cold and clammy/sweaty), which is a specific clinical sign. This versatility makes the word indispensable for learners. It transitions seamlessly from the locker room to the doctor's office to a romantic novel where a protagonist might have 'sienes sudorosas' (sweaty temples) due to passion or fear. It is a word that connects the physical body to the surrounding world and the mind's internal state, providing a vivid image of moisture and the conditions that produce it.

El paciente se encontraba pálido y sudoroso cuando llegó a la sala de emergencias.

No me des la mano, que la tengo sudorosa por el calor que hace aquí.

Using sudoroso correctly in Spanish involves more than just knowing its definition; it requires understanding the grammatical framework of adjectives and the nuances of the verbs that accompany them. Because sudoroso describes a state or a condition rather than an inherent quality, it is almost exclusively used with the verb estar (to be) rather than ser. For example, you would say 'Estoy sudoroso' (I am sweaty right now) because it is a temporary condition. Saying 'Soy sudoroso' would imply that being sweaty is a permanent, defining characteristic of your being, which sounds unnatural in most contexts. This distinction is crucial for English speakers who use 'to be' for both temporary and permanent states.

Agreement with Nouns: The adjective must match the gender and number of the person or body part it describes. 'Niño sudoroso' (masculine singular), 'Niña sudorosa' (feminine singular), 'Niños sudorosos' (masculine plural), 'Niñas sudorosas' (feminine plural).

Después de la clase de baile, las chicas estaban muy sudorosas.

Another common verb used with sudoroso is sentirse (to feel). This adds a subjective layer to the description. 'Me siento sudoroso' conveys the internal sensation of being sweaty, which might be useful when you are uncomfortable but perhaps not visibly dripping with sweat. Additionally, the verb notar (to notice) is often used when observing this state in oneself or others: 'Noto mis manos sudorosas.' This structure is very common when describing symptoms to a doctor or explaining why you are hesitant to touch something. The placement of the adjective usually follows the noun it modifies, which is the standard position for descriptive adjectives in Spanish that distinguish one person from another.

Use with 'Sentirse': Conveys the internal feeling of being sweaty. Example: 'Me siento sudoroso y necesito una ducha urgente.'

¿Por qué te sientes tan sudoroso? ¿Tienes fiebre?

In more descriptive or literary contexts, sudoroso can precede the noun to add a poetic or emphatic quality, though this is less common in everyday speech. For instance, 'Su sudoroso rostro' emphasizes the state of the face as a central image. However, for B1 learners, sticking to the post-noun position is the safest and most natural-sounding approach. It is also worth noting that sudoroso can be modified by adverbs like muy (very), un poco (a little), or bastante (quite). This allows for a range of intensity when describing the level of perspiration. Whether you are talking about a 'frente sudorosa' (sweaty forehead) or 'pies sudorosos' (sweaty feet), the rules of agreement and verb choice remain the cornerstone of correct usage.

Adverbial Modification: Adding intensity to the state. Example: 'Estaba extremadamente sudoroso tras la maratón.'

A pesar de estar un poco sudoroso, el joven se veía muy bien.

El cristal de la ventana se empañó con su aliento sudoroso.

The word sudoroso is a staple of everyday Spanish, but its frequency and context can vary depending on where you are. In physical environments like gyms, sports clubs, or during outdoor activities, you will hear it constantly. Coaches might tell their athletes they look 'muy sudorosos' as a sign of a good workout, or friends might apologize for being 'sudorosos' before giving someone a hug. It is a word that acknowledges the reality of physical effort. In the humid coastal regions of Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America, the word is almost a part of the weather report. People describe the 'ambiente sudoroso' (sweaty environment) to refer to that sticky, humid feeling that makes everyone perspire just by standing still.

Sports and Fitness: Commonly used by trainers, athletes, and gym-goers to describe the physical state after exercise.

Salieron del gimnasio todos sudorosos pero satisfechos.

In literature and media, sudoroso is a powerful tool for building tension. If you are watching a Spanish-language thriller or reading a detective novel (novela negra), a character described as having 'manos sudorosas' or a 'frente sudorosa' is often a signal of guilt, fear, or high stakes. It is a sensory detail that authors use to make the reader feel the character's discomfort. Similarly, in medical dramas or during real-life health consultations, the word is used to describe symptoms. A doctor might ask, '¿Se siente sudoroso por las noches?' (Do you feel sweaty at night?), which is a standard question for identifying various conditions. This clinical use is formal but still employs the same basic adjective.

Literature and Film: Used as a descriptive device to convey emotion, tension, or the physical toll of a journey.

En la novela, el villano siempre tenía un aspecto sudoroso y desagradable.

You will also encounter sudoroso in informal social settings. If someone is nervous about a date or a public speech, their friends might tease them by saying, '¡Estás todo sudoroso!' (You're all sweaty!). It is also used metaphorically sometimes, though less frequently, to describe something that seems to have required a lot of 'sweat' or effort. However, its primary domain remains the physical. Whether it is the 'cuerpo sudoroso' of a dancer under stage lights or the 'palmas sudorosas' of a student during an exam, the word is a vivid descriptor of the human experience. It is a word you will hear in the street, in the house, in the hospital, and on the screen, making it a vital part of your B1 vocabulary.

Informal Socializing: Used among friends to comment on the heat or someone's physical state after an activity.

¡Qué calor! Estoy tan sudoroso que me pegó a la silla.

El niño entró a la casa sudoroso después de jugar al fútbol.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with sudoroso is confusing it with the past participle sudado. While both can be translated as 'sweaty,' they have slightly different focuses. Sudado often refers to the clothes or the result of sweating (e.g., 'una camiseta sudada' - a sweaty t-shirt), whereas sudoroso typically describes the person or the skin itself. If you say 'Estoy sudado,' it is perfectly correct and very common, but it leans towards the idea that you have finished sweating and are now in a 'sweated' state. Sudoroso feels more like an active, descriptive state of the body's surface. Choosing one over the other isn't always a 'mistake,' but using sudoroso for a shirt might sound slightly off to a native ear.

Confusion with 'Sudado': Mistake: 'Mi camisa está sudorosa.' Better: 'Mi camisa está sudada.' Use 'sudoroso' for the person, 'sudado' for the object.

Tenía el pelo sudoroso pegado a la frente.

Another error involves gender and number agreement. Because sudoroso ends in '-o,' it is a four-form adjective. Learners often forget to change it to sudorosa when talking about a woman or a feminine noun like la mano. A very common error is saying 'Tengo las manos sudoroso,' which is grammatically incorrect because 'manos' is feminine plural. It must be 'Tengo las manos sudorosas.' Similarly, the choice of verb is a pitfall. As mentioned before, using ser instead of estar is a classic mistake. 'Él es sudoroso' suggests he is a sweaty person by nature (perhaps a medical condition), while 'Él está sudoroso' means he is sweaty right now. In 99% of cases, you want estar.

Agreement Errors: Incorrect: 'Las niñas están sudorosos.' Correct: 'Las niñas están sudorosas.' Always match the gender and number of the subject.

Apareció con una expresión sudorosa y cansada.

Finally, learners sometimes confuse sudoroso with the verb sudar (to sweat). You might hear someone say 'Estoy sudando mucho' (I am sweating a lot), which is a verb phrase. Using the adjective sudoroso is a different way to express the same idea, but it focuses on the state rather than the action. A mistake would be trying to use sudoroso as a verb, like 'Yo sudoroso mucho,' which makes no sense. Remember: sudar is the action, sudor is the substance, and sudoroso is the description of the person. Keeping these parts of speech clear in your mind will help you avoid the 'word salad' that often happens when learning related terms in a new language.

Verb vs. Adjective: Don't use the adjective when you need a verb. Correct: 'Sudo cuando hace calor.' (I sweat...). Correct: 'Estoy sudoroso.' (I am sweaty).

Incluso en invierno, él se pone sudoroso si entra en una tienda con calefacción.

Sus pies estaban sudorosos después de todo el día con botas.

While sudoroso is a fantastic all-purpose word, Spanish offers several alternatives that can add precision to your descriptions. If someone is not just sweaty but completely soaked, the word empapado (soaked/drenched) is more appropriate. You might say 'Estoy empapado en sudor' (I am drenched in sweat). This conveys a higher intensity than simply being sudoroso. Another synonym is transpirado. This is very common in Argentina, Uruguay, and other parts of the Southern Cone. In those regions, you might hear 'Estoy re transpirado' instead of 'Estoy muy sudoroso.' Transpirado feels slightly more clinical or formal in some contexts but is perfectly standard in others.

Sudoroso vs. Empapado: 'Sudoroso' means sweaty; 'Empapado' means completely soaked. Use 'empapado' when the sweat is literally dripping off or the clothes are wet through.

Llegó empapado tras correr bajo el sol del mediodía.

For a more technical or biological feel, you can use diaforético. This is a medical term for 'sweaty' or 'perspiring profusely' and is used by healthcare professionals. You won't hear this at the gym, but you might read it in a medical report. On the other end of the spectrum, if someone is just slightly damp, you might use húmedo (moist/damp). For example, 'Tenía la frente húmeda.' This is less intense than sudoroso and can describe the very beginning of the sweating process. In some regions, especially in Spain, people might use the expression hecho un Cristo or hecho una sopa to describe being very sweaty and disheveled, though these are much more informal and idiomatic.

Sudoroso vs. Transpirado: 'Sudoroso' is universal; 'Transpirado' is very common in the Southern Cone (Argentina/Uruguay). Both are interchangeable in most contexts.

En Buenos Aires, es normal estar transpirado por la humedad del verano.

If you want to describe the feeling of being sweaty and sticky, the word pegajoso (sticky) is often paired with sudoroso. 'Estoy sudoroso y pegajoso' is a common complaint in humid climates. To describe the act of breaking into a sweat, the phrase romper a sudar is useful. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the right word for the right situation. While sudoroso will always be understood, knowing that empapado is for the extreme and húmedo is for the mild will make your Spanish sound more natural and sophisticated. Always pay attention to how native speakers in your specific area describe the heat and its effects on the body.

Sudoroso vs. Pegajoso: 'Sudoroso' refers to the liquid; 'Pegajoso' refers to the uncomfortable texture of the skin when the sweat starts to dry or mixes with humidity.

La humedad de la selva nos dejó a todos pegajosos y sudorosos.

Tenía un aspecto sudoriento que no inspiraba mucha confianza.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The suffix '-oso' in Spanish is incredibly productive and comes from the Latin '-osus'. It almost always transforms a noun into an adjective meaning 'full of' that noun. If you know the noun, you can often guess the adjective!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /su.ðoˈɾo.so/

US /su.ðoˈɾo.so/

The stress is on the penultimate (second to last) syllable: su-do-RO-so.

Rhymes With

amoroso famoso ruidoso precioso caluroso hermoso curioso miedoso

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'd' too hard (like an English 'd' in 'dog'). It should be softer.
Over-rolling the 'r'. It is a single tap, not a trill.
Diphthongizing the final 'o' (making it sound like 'oh'). It should be a pure, short 'o'.
Confusing the stress and putting it on the last syllable.
Misspelling it as 'sodoroso' because of the English word 'soda'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know the root 'sudor'.

Writing 3/5

Requires attention to gender and number agreement.

Speaking 3/5

The soft 'd' and single 'r' can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

Generally clear, though 's' aspiration in some dialects can occur.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

sudor calor estar mano cara

Learn Next

empapado pegajoso humedad desodorante agotado

Advanced

diaforético sudoríparo transpiración exudar soporífero

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

La niña sudorosa / Los niños sudorosos.

Estar vs Ser

Estoy sudoroso (current state) vs *Soy sudoroso (incorrect/permanent).

Definite Articles with Body Parts

Tengo las manos sudorosas (not 'mis manos').

Placement of Adjectives

Un hombre sudoroso (standard) vs Un sudoroso hombre (emphatic/literary).

Adverbs of Degree

Muy sudoroso / Bastante sudoroso / Un poco sudoroso.

Examples by Level

Yo estoy sudoroso.

I am sweaty.

Uses 'estar' for a temporary state.

Ella está sudorosa.

She is sweaty.

Feminine ending -a.

Tengo las manos sudorosas.

I have sweaty hands.

Agreement with 'manos' (feminine plural).

El niño está muy sudoroso.

The boy is very sweaty.

Adverb 'muy' for intensity.

No me gusta estar sudoroso.

I don't like being sweaty.

Infinitive 'estar' after 'gusta'.

¿Estás sudoroso?

Are you sweaty?

Question form of 'estar'.

Hace calor y estoy sudoroso.

It is hot and I am sweaty.

Connecting weather to physical state.

Mis amigos están sudorosos.

My friends are sweaty.

Masculine plural ending -os.

Después de correr, siempre estoy sudoroso.

After running, I am always sweaty.

Frequency adverb 'siempre'.

Ella tiene la frente sudorosa por la fiebre.

She has a sweaty forehead because of the fever.

Noun-adjective agreement 'frente sudorosa'.

Estamos sudorosos porque no hay aire acondicionado.

We are sweaty because there is no air conditioning.

Using 'porque' to explain the cause.

Llegué a casa sudoroso y cansado.

I arrived home sweaty and tired.

Two adjectives modifying the subject.

¿Por qué tienes los pies sudorosos?

Why do you have sweaty feet?

Describing body parts with 'tener'.

El clima es húmedo y nos sentimos sudorosos.

The climate is humid and we feel sweaty.

Using 'sentirse' for subjective feeling.

Me lavo las manos porque están sudorosas.

I wash my hands because they are sweaty.

Reflexive verb 'lavarse'.

El perro también parece sudoroso.

The dog also seems sweaty.

Using 'parecer' (to seem).

Se sentía sudoroso antes de hablar en público.

He felt sweaty before speaking in public.

Nervousness as a cause for sweating.

A pesar del frío, él estaba sudoroso por los nervios.

Despite the cold, he was sweaty from nerves.

'A pesar de' (despite) showing contrast.

Tenía un aspecto sudoroso que me preocupó.

He had a sweaty appearance that worried me.

Using 'aspecto' as a noun.

Si entras al sauna, saldrás muy sudoroso.

If you go into the sauna, you will come out very sweaty.

Future tense 'saldrás'.

Sus manos sudorosas resbalaron del volante.

His sweaty hands slipped from the steering wheel.

Adjective in the subject phrase.

No quería saludarlo porque estaba muy sudoroso.

I didn't want to greet him because he was very sweaty.

Imperfect tense 'estaba'.

El paciente se despertó sudoroso a medianoche.

The patient woke up sweaty at midnight.

Reflexive 'despertarse'.

Es normal estar sudoroso tras una hora de baile.

It is normal to be sweaty after an hour of dancing.

Impersonal 'es normal'.

El detective notó que el sospechoso estaba sudoroso.

The detective noticed that the suspect was sweaty.

Reporting a physical observation.

Aunque hacía fresco, su rostro permanecía sudoroso.

Even though it was cool, his face remained sweaty.

Using 'permanecer' (to remain).

Se puso sudoroso en cuanto vio el examen.

He got sweaty as soon as he saw the exam.

'Ponerse' to indicate a change of state.

Las sábanas estaban sudorosas debido a su pesadilla.

The sheets were sweaty due to his nightmare.

Transferring the state to an object (literary).

Caminaba por la selva, sudoroso y alerta.

He walked through the jungle, sweaty and alert.

Adjectives used as complements.

No es que esté enfermo, es que siempre se pone sudoroso.

It's not that he's sick, it's that he always gets sweaty.

Subjunctive 'esté' after 'no es que'.

Su apretón de manos fue débil y sudoroso.

His handshake was weak and sweaty.

Describing a social interaction.

El ambiente en el metro era denso y sudoroso.

The atmosphere in the subway was dense and sweaty.

Metaphorical use for atmosphere.

La descripción del personaje sudoroso añade realismo.

The description of the sweaty character adds realism.

Literary analysis context.

Emergió de la mina, sudoroso y cubierto de hollín.

He emerged from the mine, sweaty and covered in soot.

Sophisticated verb 'emerger'.

Sus sienes sudorosas palpitaban con el esfuerzo.

His sweaty temples throbbed with the effort.

Specific anatomical description.

El discurso fue largo, tedioso y nos dejó sudorosos.

The speech was long, tedious, and left us sweaty.

Using 'dejar' to show the result.

Aquel encuentro sudoroso en el ascensor fue incómodo.

That sweaty encounter in the elevator was awkward.

Adjective modifying 'encuentro'.

Se mantenía sudoroso a pesar de los ventiladores.

He remained sweaty despite the fans.

Using 'mantenerse' for a persistent state.

La fiebre lo dejó débil, pálido y sudoroso.

The fever left him weak, pale, and sweaty.

Triad of descriptive adjectives.

Su voz sonaba nerviosa, y su frente estaba sudorosa.

His voice sounded nervous, and his forehead was sweaty.

Parallelism in description.

El autor emplea el término 'sudoroso' para evocar angustia.

The author uses the term 'sudoroso' to evoke anguish.

High-level literary critique.

Bajo la luz estroboscópica, los cuerpos sudorosos bailaban.

Under the strobe light, the sweaty bodies danced.

Complex prepositional phrase.

Su semblante sudoroso delataba una lucha interna.

His sweaty countenance betrayed an internal struggle.

Formal word 'semblante'.

La negociación se tornó sudorosa y llena de tensiones.

The negotiation became sweaty and full of tensions.

Metaphorical use of 'sudorosa'.

Incluso en el gélido invierno, su piel se tornaba sudorosa.

Even in the freezing winter, his skin became sweaty.

Using 'tornarse' (to become).

El realismo de la obra se palpa en esos rostros sudorosos.

The realism of the work is felt in those sweaty faces.

Artistic commentary.

Se hallaba en un estado sudoroso y de semiinconsciencia.

He was in a sweaty state and semi-unconsciousness.

Formal 'hallarse'.

La atmósfera sudorosa del mercado agobiaba a los turistas.

The sweaty atmosphere of the market overwhelmed the tourists.

Abstract application of the adjective.

Common Collocations

manos sudorosas

frente sudorosa

rostro sudoroso

estar sudoroso

sentirse sudoroso

cuerpo sudoroso

piel sudorosa

despertar sudoroso

palmas sudorosas

aspecto sudoroso

Common Phrases

Ponerse sudoroso

— To become sweaty, usually due to a sudden change in activity or emotion.

Me pongo sudoroso cuando miento.

Estar todo sudoroso

— To be completely covered in sweat.

Vienes todo sudoroso del parque.

Sentirse un poco sudoroso

— To feel slightly sweaty.

Me siento un poco sudoroso por la humedad.

Tener la frente sudorosa

— To have a sweaty forehead.

Ella tiene la frente sudorosa por el esfuerzo.

Aparecer sudoroso

— To show up looking sweaty.

Apareció sudoroso en la reunión.

Quedar sudoroso

— To end up in a sweaty state.

Quedé sudoroso después de limpiar la casa.

Verse sudoroso

— To look sweaty to others.

Te ves sudoroso, ¿estás bien?

Notarse sudoroso

— To notice oneself being sweaty.

Me noto sudoroso, creo que tengo fiebre.

Estar frío y sudoroso

— A medical description of being cold and clammy.

El paciente está frío y sudoroso.

Pelo sudoroso

— Sweaty hair, often stuck to the face.

Tenía el pelo sudoroso tras el partido.

Often Confused With

sudoroso vs sudado

Sudado is for objects/clothes; sudoroso is for the skin/person.

sudoroso vs oloroso

Sudoroso means wet with sweat; oloroso means having a strong smell.

sudoroso vs húmedo

Húmedo is just damp; sudoroso specifically implies sweat.

Idioms & Expressions

"Sudar la gota gorda"

— To work very hard or to struggle immensely (literally: to sweat the fat drop).

Sudamos la gota gorda para terminar el proyecto.

Informal

"Sudar sangre"

— To put in an extreme, almost painful amount of effort.

Sudó sangre para conseguir ese ascenso.

Emphatic

"Sudar de algo"

— In Spain, it means to not care about something or to ignore it.

Sudo de lo que digan de mí.

Slang

"A sudor de frente"

— To earn something through hard work and honest labor.

Ganó su dinero a sudor de frente.

Literary

"Romper a sudar"

— To suddenly start sweating.

Nada más salir a la calle, rompí a sudar.

Neutral

"Estar hecho una sopa"

— To be completely drenched (often from rain, but also from sweat).

Llegó hecho una sopa de tanto correr.

Informal

"Sudar como un pollo"

— To sweat a lot (literally: to sweat like a chicken).

Hacía tanto calor que estaba sudando como un pollo.

Informal

"Sudar el quilo"

— To work very hard (common in some regions).

He tenido que sudar el quilo para limpiar esto.

Informal

"No sudar ni una gota"

— To not exert oneself at all; to do something very easily.

Ganó la carrera sin sudar ni una gota.

Neutral

"Sudar la camiseta"

— To work hard for a team or a cause; to give one's all.

Los jugadores sudaron la camiseta hasta el último minuto.

Neutral/Sports

Easily Confused

sudoroso vs sudado

Both translate to 'sweaty'.

Sudado refers to the result of sweating (clothes), sudoroso to the state of the body.

Camisa sudada vs. Hombre sudoroso.

sudoroso vs sudar

It's the verb form.

Sudar is an action; sudoroso is a description.

Yo sudo mucho vs. Yo estoy sudoroso.

sudoroso vs sudor

It's the noun form.

Sudor is the liquid; sudoroso is the adjective.

Tengo mucho sudor vs. Estoy sudoroso.

sudoroso vs transpirado

It's a synonym.

Transpirado is more common in Argentina; sudoroso is more universal.

Estoy transpirado (AR) vs. Estoy sudoroso (Universal).

sudoroso vs empapado

Both imply moisture.

Empapado is much more intense (soaked).

Estoy sudoroso (sweaty) vs. Estoy empapado (drenched).

Sentence Patterns

S + estar + sudoroso

Él está sudoroso.

Tengo + [art] + [part] + sudorosa

Tengo la frente sudorosa.

Sentirse + sudoroso + por + [reason]

Me siento sudoroso por los nervios.

Ponerse + sudoroso + cuando + [verb]

Me pongo sudoroso cuando corro.

Verse + sudoroso + y + [adj]

Se ve sudoroso y cansado.

Aunque + [verb], estar + sudoroso

Aunque hace frío, estoy sudoroso.

Con + [art] + [part] + sudorosa

Con la frente sudorosa, siguió trabajando.

[Noun] + se tornó + sudoroso

El ambiente se tornó sudoroso.

Word Family

Nouns

sudor (sweat)

sudación (sweating/perspiration)

sudoración (sweating)

sudadero (sweatband/saddle cloth)

Verbs

sudar (to sweat)

traspirar (to perspire)

resudar (to sweat slightly)

Adjectives

sudoroso (sweaty)

sudado (sweated)

sudoríparo (sweat-producing)

sudoriento (sweaty - rare)

desodorante

humedad

calor

ejercicio

fiebre

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in summer or sports contexts.

Common Mistakes

Soy sudoroso. → Estoy sudoroso.
Use 'estar' for temporary states like being sweaty. 'Ser' implies it's a permanent part of your identity.
Mis manos están sudoroso. → Mis manos están sudorosas.
The adjective must agree with the feminine plural noun 'manos'.
Mi camisa está sudorosa. → Mi camisa está sudada.
'Sudoroso' is for people/skin; 'sudado' is for clothes/objects.
Tengo manos sudorosas. → Tengo las manos sudorosas.
In Spanish, use the definite article (las) when talking about body parts.
Siento sudoroso. → Me siento sudoroso.
'Sentirse' is a reflexive verb when describing how you feel.

Tips

Check Agreement

Always ensure 'sudoroso' matches the gender and number of the person or body part. Example: 'frente sudorosa'.

Sudado vs Sudoroso

Use 'sudado' for your gym clothes and 'sudoroso' for your skin. This makes your Spanish sound more native.

Estar is Key

Being sweaty is a state, not a trait. Use 'estar' to avoid saying you are a 'sweaty person' by nature.

Regional Choice

If you are in Buenos Aires, try using 'transpirado'. In Madrid or Mexico City, 'sudoroso' is perfect.

Health Context

If you feel 'sudoroso' without heat or exercise, you might have a 'fiebre' (fever).

Vivid Writing

Combine 'sudoroso' with 'cansado' (tired) or 'pálido' (pale) for a more complete description of a character.

Soft D

The 'd' in 'sudoroso' is soft. Don't pronounce it like the hard 'd' in 'door'.

Handshakes

If your hands are 'sudorosas', it's polite to say 'Perdón, tengo las manos sudorosas' before shaking hands.

Humidity

In humid places, you can say 'El ambiente está sudoroso' to describe the sticky air.

Hard Work

If you are 'sudoroso' because you worked hard, you can say you were 'sudando la gota gorda'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'SUD' like 'SOAP' in a 'SUDsy' shower, which is what you need when you are 'SUDoroso' (sweaty).

Visual Association

Imagine a runner crossing a finish line with beads of sweat glistening on their forehead. That glistening state is 'sudoroso'.

Word Web

sudor calor ejercicio nervios piel humedad ducha toalla

Challenge

Try to use 'sudoroso' in three different sentences today: one about the weather, one about exercise, and one about feeling nervous.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'sudorosus', which itself comes from the Latin noun 'sudor' (sweat). The root is connected to the Proto-Indo-European *sweid-, also the source of the English word 'sweat'.

Original meaning: Full of sweat or characterized by sweating.

Romance (Latin origin).

Cultural Context

While 'sudoroso' is a neutral descriptive word, calling someone 'sudoroso' to their face might be considered slightly impolite if it implies they have bad hygiene. Use it with care in social settings.

English speakers might use 'sweaty' more casually or even as an insult, whereas in Spanish, 'sudoroso' is often more purely descriptive of a physical state.

Used frequently in the 'realismo mágico' of Gabriel García Márquez to describe the oppressive heat of Macondo. Common in sports journalism when describing the intensity of a match. Featured in medical textbooks describing symptoms of tropical diseases.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Gym

Estoy muy sudoroso.
Dame una toalla.
He sudado mucho.
¿Tienes agua?

Hot Weather

¡Qué calor! Estoy sudoroso.
No corre aire.
Necesito aire acondicionado.
La humedad me pone sudoroso.

Medical Checkup

Me siento sudoroso por las noches.
Tengo fiebre.
Estoy pálido y sudoroso.
¿Es normal sudar tanto?

Nervous Situation

Tengo las manos sudorosas.
Estoy muy nervioso.
Se me nota sudoroso.
No quiero dar la mano.

Describing Someone

Él llegó sudoroso.
Ella tiene la cara sudorosa.
Se ven sudorosos.
Parece que han corrido.

Conversation Starters

"¿Te pones sudoroso cuando tienes que hablar en público?"

"¿Qué haces cuando estás muy sudoroso y no puedes ducharte?"

"¿Prefieres estar sudoroso por el ejercicio o por el calor del sol?"

"¿Has notado si tus manos se ponen sudorosas cuando estás nervioso?"

"En tu ciudad, ¿es común estar sudoroso todo el día durante el verano?"

Journal Prompts

Describe una situación en la que te sentiste extremadamente sudoroso y cómo reaccionaste.

Escribe sobre un día de calor intenso en el que todos en la calle parecían sudorosos.

¿Cómo describirías la sensación de estar sudoroso a alguien que nunca lo ha experimentado?

Relata una anécdota divertida en la que estar sudoroso te causó un problema.

Escribe sobre los beneficios de estar sudoroso después de un buen entrenamiento.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is better to use 'sudada' for clothing. 'Sudoroso' is typically reserved for people or body parts to describe the state of their skin.

They are largely synonymous, but 'transpirado' is much more common in South American countries like Argentina, while 'sudoroso' is used everywhere.

It is a neutral word. It's perfectly fine for everyday use, but in a very formal medical setting, you might hear 'diaforético'.

Always use 'estar' because being sweaty is a temporary state. 'Ser sudoroso' would imply it's a permanent personality trait or medical condition.

You say 'manos sudorosas'. Remember to use the feminine plural form because 'mano' is feminine.

Not necessarily. It's a physical description. While it can imply discomfort, it can also imply hard work or a good workout.

This is a medical term for 'cold and clammy,' often indicating shock, low blood sugar, or other health issues.

Yes, in a literary or metaphorical sense, you can describe a room or a climate as 'sudoroso' to emphasize its humidity and heat.

Yes, it's an older or regional synonym, but it's much less common than 'sudoroso' today.

It is spelled 'sudorosas'.