ajeno
Someone else's, belonging to or involving another person.
Ajeno describes anything that does not belong to you or does not concern you.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Refers to something belonging to another person.
- Describes being disconnected from a situation or fact.
- Often used to warn against interfering in others' business.
Summary
Ajeno describes anything that does not belong to you or does not concern you.
- Refers to something belonging to another person.
- Describes being disconnected from a situation or fact.
- Often used to warn against interfering in others' business.
Use with possessive pronouns to clarify
When using ajeno, you can clarify ownership by adding 'de + [person]'. For example, 'Eso es ajeno a mí' clearly distinguishes your lack of involvement.
Do not confuse with foreign
Avoid using 'ajeno' to mean 'foreign' in the sense of a country. Use 'extranjero' for nationalities or foreign countries instead.
Respect for property boundaries
In Hispanic culture, the phrase 'lo ajeno se respeta' is a common moral principle. It emphasizes the importance of respecting others' property and privacy.
Exemplos
4 de 4No me gusta meterme en asuntos ajenos.
I don't like getting involved in other people's business.
El acusado se declaró ajeno a los hechos.
The defendant declared himself uninvolved in the events.
Es un dolor ajeno que me conmueve.
It is someone else's pain that moves me.
El sistema es ajeno a las influencias externas.
The system is immune/external to outside influences.
Família de palavras
Dica de memorização
Think of the phrase 'A-Jeno' sounds like 'A-Gen' (A-General). If it is 'A-General' (not mine), it is 'ajeno'.
Panorama general
'Ajeno' es una palabra versátil en español que denota propiedad o falta de relación. Su uso principal indica que algo pertenece a alguien más, diferenciándolo de lo propio. Además, puede describir una falta de conocimiento o interés sobre un tema, como en la expresión 'ser ajeno a la realidad'. 2) Patrones de uso: Se emplea frecuentemente con el verbo 'ser' para establecer posesión o con 'estar' para indicar que alguien no está involucrado en algo. Es un adjetivo calificativo que concuerda en género y número con el sustantivo al que acompaña. 3) Contextos comunes: Se usa en contextos legales para hablar de bienes ajenos, en situaciones sociales para evitar entrometerse en asuntos ajenos, y en contextos filosóficos o literarios para describir estados de desconexión emocional. 4) Comparación con palabras similares: A diferencia de 'extranjero', que se refiere a una nacionalidad, 'ajeno' se enfoca exclusivamente en la pertenencia o la implicación personal. Mientras que 'otro' es un determinante general, 'ajeno' añade una carga semántica de distinción entre lo que es mío y lo que es de los demás.
Notas de uso
Ajeno is a highly versatile word that functions as a standard adjective. It is used in both formal and informal registers without sounding overly sophisticated. Always ensure it matches the gender and number of the noun it modifies.
Erros comuns
Learners often try to use 'ajeno' to mean 'foreign' as in 'foreign language' (idioma extranjero). It is also frequently misused by neglecting gender agreement. Remember that it must match the noun it describes.
Dica de memorização
Think of the phrase 'A-Jeno' sounds like 'A-Gen' (A-General). If it is 'A-General' (not mine), it is 'ajeno'.
Origem da palavra
The word comes from the Latin 'alienus', which means 'belonging to another'. It shares the same root as the English word 'alien', though in Spanish it retained a broader meaning of 'otherness'.
Contexto cultural
The concept of respecting 'lo ajeno' is a fundamental social value in many Spanish-speaking countries. It implies a clear boundary between the private sphere of the individual and the public or other people's space.
Exemplos
No me gusta meterme en asuntos ajenos.
everydayI don't like getting involved in other people's business.
El acusado se declaró ajeno a los hechos.
formalThe defendant declared himself uninvolved in the events.
Es un dolor ajeno que me conmueve.
informalIt is someone else's pain that moves me.
El sistema es ajeno a las influencias externas.
academicThe system is immune/external to outside influences.
Família de palavras
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
lo ajeno
what belongs to others
ser ajeno a la verdad
to be far from the truth
Frequentemente confundido com
Extranjero refers to nationality or origin from another country. Ajeno refers to ownership or lack of connection.
Otro is a general determiner for 'another'. Ajeno carries a specific nuance of 'not belonging to oneself'.
Padrões gramaticais
Use with possessive pronouns to clarify
When using ajeno, you can clarify ownership by adding 'de + [person]'. For example, 'Eso es ajeno a mí' clearly distinguishes your lack of involvement.
Do not confuse with foreign
Avoid using 'ajeno' to mean 'foreign' in the sense of a country. Use 'extranjero' for nationalities or foreign countries instead.
Respect for property boundaries
In Hispanic culture, the phrase 'lo ajeno se respeta' is a common moral principle. It emphasizes the importance of respecting others' property and privacy.
Teste-se
Completa la frase con la opción correcta.
No debes tocar las cosas que son ___.
Como 'cosas' es plural femenino, 'ajeno' debe concordar como 'ajenas'.
Pontuação: /1
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasSí, es muy común usarlo para referirse a objetos. Por ejemplo, 'no toques lo ajeno' es una forma educada de decir que no toques cosas que no son tuyas.
'Ajeno' enfatiza la pertenencia a otro, mientras que 'extraño' se refiere a algo desconocido o raro. Aunque a veces se solapan, no son sinónimos directos.
Significa que no tienes conocimiento de un hecho o que no estás involucrado en él. Por ejemplo, 'él era ajeno a los problemas de la empresa'.
Es una palabra de registro neutro que se utiliza tanto en el lenguaje cotidiano como en textos formales o legales. Es perfectamente aceptable en cualquier situación.
Frases relacionadas
Vocabulário relacionado
Mais palavras de general
abajo
A1Down, downstairs, below.
abandonar
B1To leave a place or person, often permanently.
abierta
A1Open (female); not closed or restricted.
abierto
A1Open.
abierto/a
A2Not closed or sealed; open.
Abrir
A1To open
absolutamente
A2Completely, totally, or without qualification.
abstención
B2Abstention, the act of refraining from voting or participation.
abstenerse
B2To abstain, refrain, or hold oneself back from doing something.
Abundancia
B2A large quantity or ample supply of something; plentifulness.
