Words Ending in -ado

Many Spanish words end in -ado, and this pattern appears frequently in everyday Spanish. Words ending in -ado are often related to verbs that end in -ar. These forms are commonly used to describe a completed action or the condition of something. In many cases, these words function as adjectives and must agree with the noun they describe. Recognizing the -ado ending can help you identify many useful Spanish words. In this module, you will learn how these words are formed and how they are used in sentences.

Lesson 1: -ado Words from -ar Verb

Many Spanish verbs that end in -ar form a related word ending in -ado.

This form is often used to describe the result of an action.

Examples include:

Terminar – to finish

Terminado – finished

Preparar – to prepare

Preparado – prepared

Sample Sentences

El trabajo está terminado – The work is finished
El café está preparado – The coffee is prepared
El documento está firmado – The document is signed
El proyecto está organizado – The project is organized
El mensaje está enviado – The message is sent

Lesson 2: Using -ado Words as Adjectives

Words ending in -ado often function as adjectives that describe the condition or state of something.

Sample Sentences

El restaurante está cerrado – The restaurant is closed
El coche está estacionado – The car is parked
El edificio está pintado – The building is painted
El paquete está sellado – The package is sealed
El informe está revisado – The report is reviewed

Lesson 3: Gender Agreement with -ado Words

When -ado words describe feminine nouns, the ending usually changes from -ado to -ada.

Like other adjectives, these words must agree with the noun in gender and number.

Sample Sentences

La puerta está cerrada – The door is closed
La comida está preparada – The food is prepared
La carta está firmada – The letter is signed
La pared está pintada – The wall is painted
La caja está sellada – The box is sealed

Lesson 4: Common -ado Vocabulary

There are many common Spanish words that end in -ado.

These words are often used to describe a completed action or a condition.

Some common examples include:

Cansado – tired

Ocupado – busy

Preparado – prepared

Terminado – finished

Cerrado – closed

Sample Sentences

El viajero está cansado – The traveler is tired
El médico está ocupado – The doctor is busy
El estudiante está preparado – The student is prepared
El reporte está terminado – The report is finished
El banco está cerrado hoy – The bank is closed today

End of Module Review

In this module, you learned about Spanish words that end in -ado. These words often come from verbs ending in -ar and frequently describe the result of an action or the condition of something. You also saw that -ado words can function as adjectives and must agree with the gender of the noun they describe. Recognizing this pattern will help you understand and use many common Spanish words.