Esta página no seu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

中文

हिन्दी

B2 adjective #8,500 mais comum 11 min de leitura

insalubre

Top 8,500

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas insalubre em 30 segundos

Explicação insalubre in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use the word 'insalubre' yet. Instead, you would use simple words like 'sucio' (dirty) or 'malo para la salud' (bad for health). For example, if you see a very dirty park, you might say 'El parque está muy sucio.' If you want to say food is not good, you say 'Esta comida es mala.' However, it's good to know that 'insalubre' is a fancy way to say 'not healthy' for places. If you hear it, just think of a place that is so dirty it makes you sick. You can start by recognizing the root word 'salud' which means 'health.' If 'salud' is health, then 'insalubre' is the opposite of healthy. Think of a very old, dark, and wet basement—that is a place that is 'insalubre.' Don't worry about using it in your own speaking yet, but keep it in the back of your mind for when you read signs about water safety or clean environments.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the A2 level, you are starting to describe places and environments in more detail. You might know words like 'limpio' (clean) and 'peligroso' (dangerous). 'Insalubre' is a great word to add when you are talking about hygiene. If you are describing a city or a house, you can use 'insalubre' to say it is not a safe place to live because of germs or pollution. For example, 'El agua de este río es insalubre' (The water in this river is unhealthy). You should remember that 'insalubre' doesn't change for men or women, only for plural. So you say 'una casa insalubre' and 'un hotel insalubre.' It's a bit more formal than 'sucio,' so use it when you want to sound more serious about a health problem. It's a good word for talking about simple environmental issues in your basic Spanish conversations.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B1 level, you should begin to distinguish between different types of 'unhealthy.' You already know 'poco saludable' for food or habits. Now, use 'insalubre' specifically for environments, buildings, and workplaces. If you are writing an essay about the environment, you can use 'insalubre' to describe air pollution in big cities. For example, 'El aire en las grandes ciudades es a menudo insalubre.' You can also use it to talk about history, like the 'condiciones insalubres' of factories in the past. At this level, you should be comfortable using it with verbs like 'ser' and 'estar.' Remember: use 'ser' if the place is naturally unhealthy (like a swamp) and 'estar' if it's unhealthy because it hasn't been cleaned or maintained. This word will help you express more complex opinions about social issues and public health.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B2 level, 'insalubre' is an essential part of your vocabulary. You are expected to discuss social, environmental, and professional topics with nuance. You should use 'insalubre' to describe technical health hazards. In a professional context, you might talk about 'trabajos insalubres' (hazardous jobs) that require extra safety measures. You should also be able to use the noun form, 'insalubridad.' For instance, 'La insalubridad de la zona provocó una epidemia.' You should know that 'insalubre' is more formal than 'malsano' and more specific than 'nocivo.' It specifically points to sanitary conditions. When writing reports or giving presentations on urban development or labor rights, this is the precise term to use. You should also be able to use it metaphorically, such as describing a 'clima laboral insalubre' (an unhealthy work environment) where people are stressed or treated poorly.

At the C1 level, you should use 'insalubre' with total precision and combine it with sophisticated adverbs. You might describe a situation as 'notoriamente insalubre' or 'crónicamente insalubre.' You should understand the legal implications of the word in Spanish-speaking countries, such as how 'insalubridad' can be a legal ground for closing a business or condemning a building. You can use it to discuss complex historical trends, like the 'higienismo' movement of the 19th century that sought to eliminate 'focos insalubres' in cities. Your ability to distinguish 'insalubre' from 'deletéreo,' 'mórbido,' and 'pestilente' will show your high level of mastery. You should be able to read medical or environmental policy documents where this word appears and understand exactly what health standards are being referenced without needing a dictionary. It's also a word you might use in high-level debates about public policy and human rights.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the C2 level, 'insalubre' is a tool for stylistic variation and technical accuracy. You understand the subtle connotations it carries in different Spanish-speaking regions. You can use it in academic papers or literary critiques to describe the 'atmósfera insalubre' of a Gothic novel or the 'condiciones insalubres' described in naturalistic literature. You are aware of the etymological connection to Latin and can use this to explain the word's history if necessary. You can effortlessly switch between 'insalubre,' 'insano,' and 'malsano' to achieve the perfect tone. You might use it in a legal brief or a high-level medical analysis to describe the systemic failures of a sanitation system. At this level, you don't just know the word; you know the entire cultural and legal framework that surrounds the concept of 'salubridad' in the Hispanic world. You can use the word to critique societal structures with the authority of a native speaker.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

insalubre em 30 segundos

Insalubre describes places, environments, or conditions that are harmful to health due to poor hygiene, pollution, or lack of basic sanitary infrastructure.
It is a gender-neutral adjective in Spanish, remaining 'insalubre' for both masculine and feminine nouns, and becoming 'insalubres' in the plural form.
Commonly found in news reports, legal documents, and medical contexts, it implies a more serious health hazard than simply being 'dirty' or 'messy'.
Learners should avoid using it for people or food nutrition, preferring 'enfermo' for people and 'poco saludable' for general diet or lifestyle habits.

The Spanish word insalubre is a sophisticated adjective primarily used to describe environments, conditions, or situations that are harmful to one's health. While English speakers might simply say 'unhealthy,' insalubre carries a more clinical, formal, or environmental weight, often implying unsanitary or hazardous conditions. It is derived from the Latin 'insalubris,' where the prefix 'in-' denotes negation and 'salubris' relates to health (salud). In the modern Spanish-speaking world, you will encounter this word most frequently in contexts involving public health, labor laws, urban planning, and environmental science. It describes places that lack proper ventilation, areas contaminated with toxins, or living conditions that facilitate the spread of disease.

Environmental Context: Used to describe air quality, water sources, or soil that has been tainted by pollutants, making it dangerous for human habitation or use.

Occupational Context: Refers to workplaces that do not meet safety or hygiene standards, potentially causing long-term illness to employees.

Domestic Context: Commonly applied to housing that is damp, moldy, overcrowded, or lacks basic sewage, rendering it unfit for living.

Understanding the nuance of insalubre requires distinguishing it from 'malsano.' While 'malsano' can refer to habits (like smoking) or even psychological states (a 'malsano' obsession), insalubre is almost always physical and external. If a building is falling apart and filled with lead paint, it is insalubre. If a diet consists only of fried food, a Spaniard might call it 'poco saludable' or 'perjudicial,' but rarely insalubre unless the food itself is literally rotting or contaminated in a way that creates a public health risk.

El sótano de la vieja fábrica era un lugar extremadamente insalubre debido a la falta de ventilación.

Las autoridades cerraron el restaurante por sus condiciones insalubres en la cocina.

Historically, the term was heavily used during the Industrial Revolution in Spain and Latin America to describe the 'barrios obreros' (working-class neighborhoods) where cholera and tuberculosis spread. Today, it remains a powerful word in political discourse when discussing the 'derecho a una vivienda digna' (right to decent housing). If a politician calls a neighborhood insalubre, they are making a strong claim about the failure of infrastructure. It is a word of judgment, indicating that the baseline of human dignity and biological safety has been violated.

Vivir en un ambiente insalubre afecta el desarrollo de los niños.

El vertedero municipal se ha vuelto insalubre para los pueblos cercanos.

Using insalubre correctly involves understanding its role as an adjective that must agree in number with the noun it modifies. Because it ends in 'e', it is gender-neutral; it remains insalubre for both masculine and feminine nouns, and becomes insalubres in the plural. This simplicity makes it a favorite for intermediate learners to elevate their vocabulary. It typically follows the noun it describes, which is standard for descriptive adjectives in Spanish that provide essential information about the state of an object.

With the Verb 'Ser': Used when the unhealthy nature is a permanent or inherent characteristic of the place. 'Este pantano es insalubre' (This swamp is inherently unhealthy).

With the Verb 'Estar': Used when the unhealthy condition is temporary or a result of neglect. 'La cocina está insalubre porque no la han limpiado' (The kitchen is in an unhealthy state because they haven't cleaned it).

With Nouns of Condition: Commonly paired with 'condiciones', 'ambiente', 'clima', or 'vivienda'. 'Las condiciones insalubres del refugio preocupan a la ONU.'

When constructing sentences, consider the intensity. You can use adverbs like 'altamente,' 'extremadamente,' or 'totalmente' to modify insalubre. For instance, 'Un entorno altamente insalubre' emphasizes the severity of the risk. It is also important to note that insalubre is a 'graded' adjective, meaning something can be more or less insalubre than something else. However, in official reports, it is often treated as a binary state: a place either meets health codes or it is insalubre.

Es insalubre beber agua de ese pozo contaminado.

El informe describe un ambiente de trabajo insalubre y peligroso.

In more poetic or literary contexts, insalubre can be used metaphorically to describe a 'clima moral' (moral climate). For example, 'una atmósfera insalubre de sospecha' (an unhealthy atmosphere of suspicion). This usage suggests that the social environment is so toxic that it prevents the flourishing of trust or well-being. While less common than the physical usage, it demonstrates the word's versatility in the hands of a skilled writer. In academic writing, you will see it used to describe 'hábitos insalubres,' though 'hábitos poco saludables' is more common in daily conversation. The choice of insalubre in academia signals a focus on the physiological damage caused by those habits.

Los mineros se enfrentan a jornadas largas en espacios insalubres.

La acumulación de basura genera un foco insalubre de infecciones.

You are likely to encounter insalubre in formal news broadcasts, particularly when journalists are reporting on social crises or environmental disasters. For example, during a flood, a reporter might describe the stagnant water as insalubre. In the legal and medical worlds, it is a technical term. If you are reading a rental contract in Spain or Latin America, there might be clauses regarding the 'habitabilidad' of the property, ensuring it is not insalubre. Public health announcements from organizations like the WHO (OMS in Spanish) frequently use this term to classify air quality levels in major cities like Mexico City, Santiago, or Madrid.

The News (El Telediario): 'El barrio ha sido declarado zona insalubre tras la rotura de las tuberías de alcantarillado.' (The neighborhood has been declared an unhealthy zone after the sewer pipes burst.)

Medical Reports: 'El paciente presenta síntomas derivados de la exposición prolongada a un ambiente insalubre.' (The patient shows symptoms derived from prolonged exposure to an unhealthy environment.)

Documentaries: Often used when discussing the 'villas miseria' or 'favelas' to highlight the lack of basic infrastructure.

In everyday speech, while a bit formal, it is used when someone wants to emphasize how disgusting or dangerous a place is. If a friend visits a very dirty public bathroom, they might say, '¡Ese baño es totalmente insalubre!' to express their shock. It carries more 'ick factor' than simply saying 'sucio' (dirty). It implies that the dirtiness has reached a level where one might actually get sick just by being there. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the word saw a resurgence in discussions about 'espacios cerrados insalubres' (unhealthy enclosed spaces) with poor ventilation.

Muchos trabajadores protestan contra las oficinas insalubres sin aire puro.

La ONU advierte que el aire en estas ciudades es insalubre para los ancianos.

Furthermore, in the culinary world, if a health inspector (inspector de sanidad) visits a kitchen, insalubre is the 'death knell' word. If the report says the conditions are insalubres, the restaurant will be closed immediately. It doesn't just mean the food tastes bad; it means the environment is a breeding ground for bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. Thus, the word bridges the gap between 'dirty' and 'biologically dangerous.' When you hear it, take it seriously; it is not a light critique.

No es solo suciedad, es un problema insalubre de salud pública.

El clima tropical puede volverse insalubre si no hay control de mosquitos.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using insalubre to describe a person's health or a specific food item's nutritional value. In English, 'unhealthy' is a catch-all term. You can have an 'unhealthy child' or an 'unhealthy burger.' In Spanish, if you say 'un niño insalubre,' it sounds like the child is a hazardous environment or a source of contagion, which is quite offensive and grammatically weird! Instead, use 'enfermizo' (sickly) or 'que tiene mala salud' (in poor health) for people.

Mistake: People: Don't say: 'Mi abuelo está insalubre.' Say: 'Mi abuelo tiene mala salud' or 'está delicado.'

Mistake: Food Nutrition: Don't say: 'La pizza es insalubre' (unless it's rotten). Say: 'La pizza es poco saludable' or 'es comida chatarra.'

Mistake: Gender Agreement: Don't say: 'La zona insalubra.' Say: 'La zona insalubre.' Adjectives ending in -e are invariable for gender.

Another error is confusing insalubre with 'insano.' While 'insano' exists in Spanish, it is often a 'false friend' or has a very narrow meaning. In many contexts, 'insano' refers to mental instability (insanity) rather than physical health, though this is changing due to influence from English. To be safe, always use insalubre for physical environments and 'poco saludable' for lifestyle choices. If you call a relationship 'insalubre,' it might be understood, but 'tóxica' or 'dañina' are much more natural choices in modern Spanish.

Incorrecto: Esta dieta es insalubre. Correcto: Esta dieta es poco saludable.

Incorrecto: El hombre insalubre fue al médico. Correcto: El hombre enfermo fue al médico.

Finally, watch out for the spelling. Students sometimes try to add an 'h' (insaluhbre) because of the connection to 'health' in English, or they forget the 'u' after the 'l'. Always remember the root 'salud' (health). If you can remember 'salud,' you can remember insalubre. Also, avoid using it as a noun. While 'la insalubridad' (the unhealthiness/insalubrity) is a common noun, insalubre itself is strictly an adjective. You cannot say 'la insalubre de la ciudad;' you must say 'la insalubridad de la ciudad.'

La insalubridad (noun) del agua es un gran problema.

El hospital fue cerrado por ser insalubre (adjective).

When you want to describe something that isn't good for health, insalubre is a strong choice, but several other words might fit better depending on the exact nuance you want to convey. Understanding these synonyms will help you reach C1/C2 proficiency by allowing you to be more precise in your descriptions. Some words focus on the biological danger, others on the physical dirtiness, and others on the chemical toxicity.

Nocivo vs. Insalubre: Nocivo means 'harmful' or 'noxious.' It is broader than insalubre. A gas can be nocivo, but a habit can also be nocivo. Insalubre specifically implies a lack of health-promoting conditions in a space.

Malsano vs. Insalubre: Malsano is often used for things that are 'unwholesome.' It can apply to food, climates, or even thoughts. It's slightly more literary than insalubre.

Deletéreo vs. Insalubre: Deletéreo is a very formal, academic word meaning 'deadly' or 'poisonous.' You might see it in a scientific paper about the 'efectos deletéreos' of radiation.

If you are talking about habits or food, 'poco saludable' or 'perjudicial para la salud' are your best bets. 'Perjudicial' is a very common word in Spanish legal and medical warnings (e.g., 'Fumar es perjudicial para la salud'). If you want to describe something that is just plain filthy, use 'mugriento' or 'asqueroso.' However, if that filth poses a medical risk, 'insalubre' is the correct professional term to use. In the context of work, 'riesgoso' (risky) is often used alongside insalubre to describe dangerous jobs.

El humo del tabaco es nocivo para los que rodean al fumador.

Esa obsesión por el trabajo es malsana.

For those looking to describe the opposite, the word is 'salubre' (health-giving) or 'higiénico' (hygienic). A 'clima salubre' is one that helps people recover from illness, like the mountain air in a sanatorium. In urban planning, creating 'espacios salubres' is the goal of every modern city. Using insalubre effectively means knowing when to stop at 'sucio' and when to escalate to a term that implies a violation of health standards. It is a word that demands action, whether it be cleaning, renovating, or evacuating.

Buscamos un entorno más salubre para criar a nuestros hijos.

Es necesario mantener condiciones higiénicas en los hospitales.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The root 'salus' in Latin didn't just mean physical health, but also 'safety' and 'salvation'. So, something insalubre was historically seen as something that threatened your overall safety, not just your biology.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /in.saˈlu.βɾe/

US /in.saˈlu.βɾe/

The stress is on the second-to-last syllable: in-sa-LU-bre.

Rima com

salubre octubre encumbre descubre lumbre muchedumbre costumbre incumbre

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'u' like the English 'u' in 'use' (yoo). It should be 'oo'.
Adding an 'h' sound after the 's'.
Vocalizing the 'r' like an English 'r' instead of a Spanish tap.
Putting the stress on the first or last syllable.
Pronouncing the 'e' at the end like an 'ay' (insalubray). It should be a short 'eh'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

Common in newspapers and formal texts, easy to recognize if you know 'salud'.

Escrita 4/5

Requires knowing when to use it vs. 'poco saludable'.

Expressão oral 4/5

Sounds very professional; good for B2 level exams.

Audição 3/5

Clearly pronounced, often stressed in news reports.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

salud sucio malo limpio enfermo

Aprenda a seguir

nocivo perjudicial salubridad higiene contaminación

Avançado

deletéreo mórbido sanear patógeno asepsia

Gramática essencial

Adjectives ending in -e are gender-neutral.

El aire insalubre / La zona insalubre.

Placement of adjectives for emphasis vs. description.

Un insalubre ambiente (poetic) vs. Un ambiente insalubre (standard).

Using 'ser' for inherent traits and 'estar' for temporary states.

El pantano es insalubre. La cocina está insalubre hoy.

Nominalization with 'lo'.

Lo insalubre de la situación nos asustó.

Pluralization of adjectives ending in -e.

Añadimos -s: insalubres.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Exemplos por nível

El agua está insalubre.

The water is unhealthy.

Simple adjective use with 'estar' for a state.

Esa casa es insalubre.

That house is unhealthy.

'Insalubre' stays the same for a feminine noun (casa).

No comas eso, es insalubre.

Don't eat that, it's unhealthy.

Using 'es' to describe the inherent state of rotten food.

El aire es insalubre hoy.

The air is unhealthy today.

Common environmental description.

Los baños están insalubres.

The bathrooms are unhealthy.

Plural form 'insalubres' matches 'baños'.

Es un lugar insalubre.

It is an unhealthy place.

Adjective follows the noun 'lugar'.

Vivir allí es insalubre.

Living there is unhealthy.

Used as a subject complement with an infinitive.

El río está muy insalubre.

The river is very unhealthy.

'Muy' is used to intensify the adjective.

Las condiciones de la fábrica eran insalubres.

The factory conditions were unhealthy.

Plural agreement with 'condiciones'.

El médico dice que el ambiente es insalubre.

The doctor says the environment is unhealthy.

Reporting what someone said using 'que'.

No es bueno trabajar en un sitio insalubre.

It's not good to work in an unhealthy site.

Using 'un sitio' (a site/place) as the noun.

La basura hace que la calle sea insalubre.

The trash makes the street unhealthy.

Use of subjunctive 'sea' after 'hace que'.

Debemos limpiar este cuarto insalubre.

We must clean this unhealthy room.

Modal verb 'debemos' followed by infinitive.

El clima aquí es húmedo e insalubre.

The climate here is humid and unhealthy.

Two adjectives joined by 'e' (instead of 'y' before 'i').

Muchos animales viven en zonas insalubres.

Many animals live in unhealthy zones.

Plural feminine noun 'zonas'.

Este edificio fue declarado insalubre.

This building was declared unhealthy.

Passive voice construction 'fue declarado'.

El ayuntamiento cerró el local por ser insalubre.

The city council closed the premises for being unhealthy.

Using 'por' to indicate cause.

Es insalubre que tantas personas vivan en un piso tan pequeño.

It is unhealthy that so many people live in such a small flat.

Impersonal expression 'es insalubre que' + subjunctive.

La falta de higiene crea un foco insalubre de enfermedades.

The lack of hygiene creates an unhealthy focus of diseases.

'Foco insalubre' is a common collocation.

Los expertos advierten sobre el aire insalubre de la capital.

Experts warn about the unhealthy air of the capital.

Preposition 'sobre' used with 'advertir'.

No podemos permitir que los niños jueguen en lugares insalubres.

We cannot allow children to play in unhealthy places.

Subjunctive 'jueguen' after a verb of permission/influence.

El informe destaca las viviendas insalubres del centro.

The report highlights the unhealthy dwellings in the center.

'Destaca' means highlights or emphasizes.

Ese hábito de no ventilar la casa es insalubre.

That habit of not ventilating the house is unhealthy.

Using 'hábito' as the subject.

Se considera un trabajo insalubre por el uso de químicos.

It is considered an unhealthy job due to the use of chemicals.

Passive 'se' construction.

La acumulación de residuos tóxicos convirtió la zona en un paraje insalubre.

The accumulation of toxic waste turned the area into an unhealthy spot.

Verb 'convertir' requires the preposition 'en'.

El sindicato denunció las condiciones insalubres a las que están expuestos los obreros.

The union denounced the unhealthy conditions to which workers are exposed.

Relative clause 'a las que'.

A pesar de ser un edificio nuevo, el sistema de ventilación lo hace insalubre.

Despite being a new building, the ventilation system makes it unhealthy.

'A pesar de' followed by an infinitive.

La normativa vigente prohíbe el arrendamiento de locales insalubres.

Current regulations prohibit the leasing of unhealthy premises.

'Vigente' means currently in force.

Resulta insalubre permanecer tanto tiempo en un espacio sin luz natural.

It turns out to be unhealthy to stay so long in a space without natural light.

'Resulta' used as a synonym for 'es' but implying a conclusion.

La ciudad sufre de una insalubridad crónica debido al tráfico.

The city suffers from chronic unhealthiness due to traffic.

Using the noun 'insalubridad'.

Es imperativo erradicar estos focos insalubres de la periferia.

It is imperative to eradicate these unhealthy spots on the outskirts.

'Es imperativo' + infinitive.

El agua estancada es un medio insalubre propicio para los mosquitos.

Stagnant water is an unhealthy medium conducive to mosquitoes.

'Propicio para' means favorable or conducive to.

La precariedad habitacional se manifiesta en entornos profundamente insalubres.

Housing precariousness manifests itself in deeply unhealthy environments.

Advanced vocabulary like 'precariedad habitacional'.

El perito judicial dictaminó que la vivienda era insalubre y no apta para el uso humano.

The judicial expert ruled that the dwelling was unhealthy and unfit for human use.

Legal terminology: 'perito judicial', 'dictaminó'.

Existe una correlación directa entre la pobreza y la exposición a climas insalubres.

There is a direct correlation between poverty and exposure to unhealthy climates.

Academic structure 'Existe una correlación entre... y...'

La negligencia de la empresa derivó en un ambiente laboral insalubre para toda la plantilla.

The company's negligence resulted in an unhealthy work environment for the entire staff.

'Plantilla' refers to the whole workforce.

Bajo la pátina de modernidad, la ciudad esconde rincones de una insalubridad alarmante.

Under the patina of modernity, the city hides corners of alarming unhealthiness.

Literary use of 'pátina'.

El tratamiento de aguas residuales es clave para evitar que el entorno se vuelva insalubre.

Sewage treatment is key to preventing the environment from becoming unhealthy.

Subjunctive 'se vuelva' after 'evitar que'.

Se han implementado medidas para paliar los efectos de este aire insalubre.

Measures have been implemented to mitigate the effects of this unhealthy air.

'Paliar' is a formal verb for 'mitigate'.

La novela retrata con dureza la vida en los callejones insalubres del siglo XIX.

The novel harshly portrays life in the unhealthy alleys of the 19th century.

'Retrata con dureza' means 'portrays harshly'.

La dialéctica entre progreso industrial y condiciones insalubres marcó el urbanismo decimonónico.

The dialectic between industrial progress and unhealthy conditions marked 19th-century urbanism.

Highly academic 'dialéctica' and 'decimonónico' (19th century).

Resulta paradójico que, en plena era tecnológica, persistan focos tan insalubres de marginación.

It is paradoxical that, in the middle of the technological era, such unhealthy pockets of marginalization persist.

Subjunctive 'persistan' after 'Resulta paradójico que'.

La insalubridad sistémica de estas regiones impide cualquier atisbo de desarrollo económico.

The systemic unhealthiness of these regions prevents any inkling of economic development.

'Atisbo' means 'glimmer' or 'inkling'.

El filósofo cuestiona si una sociedad puede ser justa si tolera entornos insalubres para sus ciudadanos.

The philosopher questions whether a society can be just if it tolerates unhealthy environments for its citizens.

Complex conditional structure.

Las emanaciones de la curtiduría han tornado el aire irrespirable e insalubre de forma irreversible.

The emanations from the tannery have turned the air unbreathable and unhealthy irreversibly.

'Tornado' as a synonym for 'vuelto' or 'convertido'.

Se requiere una reestructuración integral para sanear estos espacios históricamente insalubres.

A comprehensive restructuring is required to sanitize these historically unhealthy spaces.

'Sanear' means to clean up or sanitize.

La crítica literaria destaca el uso de lo insalubre como metáfora de la decadencia moral en la obra.

Literary criticism highlights the use of the unhealthy as a metaphor for moral decay in the work.

Using 'lo insalubre' as a nominalized adjective.

Pese a las promesas, la realidad de los vertederos sigue siendo insalubre y degradante.

Despite the promises, the reality of the landfills remains unhealthy and degrading.

'Sigue siendo' expresses a continued state.

Colocações comuns

condiciones insalubres

ambiente insalubre

vivienda insalubre

aire insalubre

trabajo insalubre

foco insalubre

clima insalubre

lugar insalubre

estado insalubre

hábitos insalubres

Frases Comuns

declarar insalubre

— To officially state that a place is hazardous to health.

El edificio fue declarado insalubre por el inspector.

altamente insalubre

— Extremely dangerous for health.

Es un entorno altamente insalubre para los bebés.

totalmente insalubre

— Completely lacking in hygiene.

La cocina del restaurante estaba totalmente insalubre.

zona insalubre

— An area designated as hazardous.

Evite entrar en la zona insalubre tras el vertido.

espacio insalubre

— A specific room or area that is unhealthy.

El trastero es un espacio insalubre lleno de moho.

agua insalubre

— Water that is not safe to drink.

Beber agua insalubre causó el brote de cólera.

entorno insalubre

— The surrounding conditions are unhealthy.

Creció en un entorno insalubre y violento.

situación insalubre

— A set of circumstances that are bad for health.

La huelga de basura creó una situación insalubre.

condición insalubre de vida

— Living in a way that harms health.

Luchamos contra la condición insalubre de vida en los suburbios.

carácter insalubre

— The unhealthy nature of something.

El carácter insalubre del proyecto fue criticado.

Frequentemente confundido com

insalubre vs insano

Often means 'insane' (mental) or is a direct translation of 'unhealthy' from English, but 'insalubre' is better for environments.

insalubre vs sucio

Just means 'dirty'. Something can be dirty without being 'insalubre' (hazardous to health).

insalubre vs enfermizo

Used for people who get sick often, not for environments.

Expressões idiomáticas

"ser un nido de infecciones"

— To be a place where diseases spread easily (highly insalubre).

Ese hospital viejo es un nido de infecciones.

Informal

"estar para el arrastre"

— To be in a terrible state (can imply an insalubre condition of a place).

La casa está para el arrastre, es insalubre.

Informal

"oler a rayos"

— To smell terrible (often a sign of an insalubre place).

Esa alcantarilla huele a rayos, es insalubre.

Informal

"ser un foco de porquería"

— To be a center of filth.

El solar abandonado es un foco de porquería insalubre.

Informal

"caérsele la casa encima"

— When a house is in such bad (insalubre) shape it feels like it's collapsing.

A Juan se le cae la casa encima de lo insalubre que está.

Idiomatic

"no haber por dónde cogerlo"

— Something is so bad (or dirty) there is no way to handle it.

Este informe sobre el local no tiene por dónde cogerlo, es insalubre.

Informal

"estar hecho un asco"

— To be extremely dirty/disgusting.

El baño público está hecho un asco, es insalubre.

Informal

"ser una ratonera"

— A dangerous, cramped, and often insalubre place.

Ese taller sin ventanas es una ratonera insalubre.

Informal

"tener mala sombra"

— To have a bad 'vibe' or environment (sometimes used for unhealthy places).

Ese callejón tiene mala sombra y parece insalubre.

Informal

"limpiar de arriba abajo"

— To clean thoroughly (often to fix an insalubre state).

Tuvimos que limpiar la cocina de arriba abajo porque estaba insalubre.

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

insalubre vs insalubre

Sounds like 'unhealthy'.

Specifically for environments and sanitary conditions.

El aire es insalubre.

insalubre vs poco saludable

Direct translation of 'not healthy'.

Used for food, diet, and lifestyle habits.

Comer mucha pizza es poco saludable.

insalubre vs insano

False friend with English 'insane'.

In Spanish, it can mean 'unhealthy' but often implies 'mentally unhealthy'.

Tiene una mente insana.

insalubre vs nocivo

Both mean 'bad for you'.

Nocivo is 'harmful' in a general sense (e.g., a toxic chemical or a bad influence).

Ese gas es nocivo.

insalubre vs perjudicial

General term for 'damaging'.

Used for things that hurt your health, your money, or your reputation.

Fumar es perjudicial.

Padrões de frases

El [noun] es insalubre.

El agua es insalubre.

Este [noun] está insalubre.

Este baño está insalubre.

Es insalubre [infinitive].

Es insalubre vivir sin ventanas.

Un [noun] [adjective] e insalubre.

Un lugar oscuro e insalubre.

Debido a las condiciones insalubres, [clause].

Debido a las condiciones insalubres, cerraron la escuela.

[Noun] declarado/a insalubre.

Vivienda declarada insalubre.

La insalubridad de [noun] es [adjective].

La insalubridad del aire es preocupante.

Bajo un clima de insalubridad [adjective], [clause].

Bajo un clima de insalubridad crónica, la población enfermó.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

insalubridad (unhealthiness/insalubrity)

salubridad (healthiness/sanitation)

salud (health)

Verbos

sanear (to sanitize/clean up)

saludar (to greet - though distantly related via 'salus')

Adjetivos

salubre (healthy/salubrious)

saludable (healthy)

sano (sane/healthy)

Relacionado

sanidad

sanitario

insalubre

salutífero

salvación

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Como usar

frequency

Common in formal speech, news, and technical writing; rare in very casual slang.

Erros comuns

La casa es insalubra. → La casa es insalubre.
Adjectives ending in 'e' do not change for gender. They are the same for masculine and feminine nouns.
Tengo una dieta insalubre. → Tengo una dieta poco saludable.
'Insalubre' is for environments or sanitary conditions. For nutrition and habits, use 'poco saludable'.
El niño está insalubre. → El niño está enfermo / tiene mala salud.
Do not use 'insalubre' to describe a person's state of health. It sounds like the person is a biohazard.
El baño está insalubrido. → El baño está insalubre.
Confusion between the adjective 'insalubre' and the noun 'insalubridad'. Stick to 'insalubre' for descriptions.
Es un clima insalubrio. → Es un clima insalubre.
Adding an extra 'i' is a common error based on words like 'salubrio' (which isn't a standard word) or 'sanitario'.

Dicas

Pair it with 'Ambiente'

The most common way to use 'insalubre' is with the word 'ambiente'. If you're not sure how to use it, start there: 'un ambiente insalubre'.

Don't change the ending

Remember that 'insalubre' ends in -e, so it doesn't change for gender. This is a common mistake for English speakers who want to say 'insalubra'.

Use it for Health Hazards

Save 'insalubre' for serious things like mold, pollution, or lack of water. Don't use it for a messy bedroom.

Great for Exams

If you are taking the DELE B2 or C1 exam, using 'insalubre' instead of 'muy sucio' will significantly increase your vocabulary score.

Watch the 'U'

Spanish vowels are short and clear. Make sure the 'u' in 'insalubre' sounds like 'oo' in 'food', not 'yoo' in 'university'.

News Keyword

When you see 'insalubre' in a headline, expect the story to be about pollution, housing crises, or restaurant closures.

In-Salud

Always link it back to 'salud' (health). 'In-' means not. So, 'not-health-able'.

Social Context

In Latin America, 'insalubre' is often used in political speeches about improving the lives of people in poor neighborhoods.

Formal Reports

If you ever have to write a formal complaint about an apartment or a workplace, 'insalubre' is the most effective word to use.

Stress the Penultimate

Listen for the stress on 'LU'. Spanish speakers will emphasize that syllable: in-sa-LU-bre.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'IN' (not) + 'SALUD' (health) + 'BRE'. If you drink water that is 'IN-SALUD-BRE', you will end up in the 'hospital-BRE'.

Associação visual

Imagine a dark, wet basement with green mold growing on the walls and a 'No Entry' sign. Label that image 'INSALUBRE' in your mind.

Word Web

Suciedad Bacterias Moho Contaminación Higiene Peligro Salud Enfermedad

Desafio

Try to find three things in a news article today that could be described as 'insalubre' and write a sentence for each.

Origem da palavra

From the Latin 'insalubris'. The prefix 'in-' means 'not', and 'salubris' means 'healthy' or 'wholesome'.

Significado original: Not promoting health; sickly or dangerous to life.

Romance (Latin-derived)

Contexto cultural

Be careful when using this word to describe where someone lives, as it can be perceived as a harsh judgment on their socioeconomic status.

In English, we often use 'unhealthy' for both a greasy burger and a moldy room. In Spanish, 'insalubre' is almost exclusively for the moldy room.

The novel 'La Jungla' (The Jungle) by Upton Sinclair, often discussed in Spanish history classes regarding 'trabajo insalubre'. Reports by the Pan American Health Organization (OPS) on 'viviendas insalubres'. Documentaries like 'La isla de las flores' which show 'entornos insalubres'.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Public Health

alerta sanitaria
condiciones de higiene
riesgo biológico
insalubridad del agua

Real Estate / Housing

cédula de habitabilidad
desahucio por insalubridad
humedades y moho
vivienda digna

Labor Rights

plus de insalubridad
seguridad en el trabajo
riesgos laborales
entorno tóxico

Environment

calidad del aire
vertidos ilegales
contaminación acústica
residuos urbanos

Restaurant Inspections

inspección de sanidad
cadena de frío
plaga de insectos
clausura del local

Iniciadores de conversa

"¿Crees que el aire en esta ciudad es insalubre durante el invierno?"

"¿Alguna vez has estado en un hotel tan insalubre que te fuiste inmediatamente?"

"¿Qué medidas debería tomar el gobierno contra las viviendas insalubres?"

"¿Consideras que trabajar de noche es insalubre para el cuerpo humano?"

"¿Has visto algún restaurante que cerraron por condiciones insalubres?"

Temas para diário

Describe un lugar que hayas visitado que te pareció insalubre y explica por qué.

Escribe sobre la importancia de mantener un ambiente salubre en las escuelas.

¿Cómo afecta vivir en un entorno insalubre a la salud mental de una persona?

Investiga un problema de insalubridad en tu ciudad y propón una solución.

Reflexiona sobre si el concepto de 'insalubre' ha cambiado desde el siglo pasado.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

No, no es común ni correcto. Para personas usamos 'enfermo' (sick) o 'enfermizo' (sickly). 'Insalubre' se reserva para lugares o condiciones externas.

'Sucio' solo significa que hay polvo o manchas. 'Insalubre' significa que la suciedad es tan grave que representa un peligro real para la salud, como moho o bacterias.

Solo si la comida está podrida o contaminada. Si quieres decir que una hamburguesa tiene mucha grasa, di 'poco saludable' o 'comida chatarra'.

Es invariable. Funciona igual para ambos: 'un aire insalubre' (masculino) y 'una zona insalubre' (femenino).

Usa 'insalubridad' cuando necesites un sustantivo (noun). Por ejemplo: 'La insalubridad del edificio es un problema'.

Sí, es muy común en las noticias, en el trabajo y en contextos legales o médicos.

Es posible metafóricamente, pero es mucho más común decir 'una relación tóxica' o 'una relación malsana'.

Se suele decir 'no estar en forma' o 'tener malos hábitos'. 'Insalubre' no encaja bien ahí.

Exactamente. 'Salubre' significa que algo es muy bueno para la salud, como el aire puro del campo.

Es un dinero extra que cobran algunos trabajadores (como mineros o limpiadores de alcantarillas) por trabajar en lugares peligrosos para la salud.

Cadastre-se grátis para ver dicas e notas