Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Burned in Spanish: Quemado
Quemado · adjective · keh-MAH-doh
The word 'burned' translates to 'quemado' in Spanish, functioning as both a past participle and an adjective. It describes anything damaged by heat or fire, from overcooked food to skin sunburns. The related verb is 'quemar' (to burn).
keh-MAH-doh
El arroz quedó quemado porque olvidé apagar la estufa.
The rice got burned because I forgot to turn off the stove.
Burned in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for burned, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| quemado | burned | keh-MAH-doh | Default, widely understood |
| quemada | burned | feminine form | |
| chamuscado | burned | slightly singed |
How Native Speakers Use Quemado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Cooking Accident
Las tostadas salieron quemadas del horno porque subí demasiado la temperatura.
The toasts came out burned from the oven because I set the temperature too high.
Describes a common kitchen mishap with feminine plural agreement.
Sunburn
Tengo la espalda quemada por haber estado tres horas bajo el sol.
My back is burned from being in the sun for three hours.
Applies the term to sun-damaged skin.
Fire Damage
Encontraron documentos chamuscados entre los restos del incendio.
They found singed documents among the fire remains.
Uses 'chamuscado' for partial burning.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Quemado
Ser vs. Estar
Incorrect: La comida es quemada.
Correct: La comida está quemada.
Being burned is a resulting state, not an inherent quality, so 'estar' must be used rather than 'ser' to describe the condition.
Burnout Confusion
Incorrect: Estoy quemado del trabajo. (in all contexts)
Correct: Estoy agotado / quemado del trabajo.
While 'quemado' colloquially means 'burned out' in Spain, this usage is not universal in Latin America where 'agotado' is clearer for professional exhaustion.
Lock in Burned Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Quemado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using quemado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El arroz quedó quemado porque olvidé apagar la estufa. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Burned in Spanish
- What is the difference between 'quemado' and 'chamuscado'?
- 'Quemado' indicates something fully burned or significantly damaged by heat. 'Chamuscado' describes something only lightly singed or scorched on the surface, where the damage is superficial rather than total destruction.
- Can 'quemado' be used figuratively?
- In Spain, saying someone is 'quemado' colloquially means they are burned out or fed up, particularly from work stress. This figurative usage has spread to some Latin American countries but is not universal, so context and audience matter.
- How do I say 'I burned myself' in Spanish?
- The reflexive construction 'me quemé' expresses accidentally burning yourself. You can specify the body part with 'me quemé la mano' (I burned my hand) or the cause with 'me quemé con la plancha' (I burned myself with the iron).