Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
Ungrateful in Spanish: Desagradecido
Desagradecido · adjective · dehs-ah-grah-deh-SEE-doh
The English adjective 'ungrateful' translates to 'desagradecido' in Spanish. It describes a person who fails to show appreciation or thankfulness. The more literary synonym 'ingrato' is also widely used, particularly in written Spanish and proverbs.
dehs-ah-grah-deh-SEE-doh
No seas desagradecido con las personas que te ayudaron.
Don't be ungrateful toward the people who helped you.
Ungrateful in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for ungrateful, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| desagradecido | ungrateful | dehs-ah-grah-deh-SEE-doh | Default, widely understood |
| ingrato | ungrateful | literary or formal register | |
| malagradecido | ungrateful | colloquial in some Latin American countries |
How Native Speakers Use Desagradecido
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Family disagreement
Su madre lo llamó desagradecido después de que olvidó su cumpleaños.
His mother called him ungrateful after he forgot her birthday.
A tense family situation over a forgotten occasion.
Literary usage
El ingrato caballero abandonó a quien le salvó la vida.
The ungrateful knight abandoned the one who saved his life.
Using the formal synonym in a narrative or story.
Workplace frustration
Es desagradecido que no reconozcan todo el esfuerzo del equipo.
It is ungrateful that they don't recognize all the team's effort.
Expressing frustration about lack of workplace appreciation.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Desagradecido
Gender agreement
Incorrect: Ella es desagradecido por todo lo que hicimos.
Correct: Ella es desagradecida por todo lo que hicimos.
Since the subject 'ella' is feminine, the adjective must match: 'desagradecida.' Failing to change the ending is a frequent error for English speakers.
Confusing prefix
Incorrect: Es un hombre inagradecido.
Correct: Es un hombre desagradecido.
The correct negative prefix for 'agradecido' is 'des-,' forming 'desagradecido.' 'Inagradecido' is not a standard word in Spanish.
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Common Questions About Ungrateful in Spanish
- How do you say 'ungrateful' in Spanish?
- The most common translation is 'desagradecido,' built from the prefix 'des-' (un-) and 'agradecido' (grateful). The synonym 'ingrato' is equally valid but tends to appear more in literature and formal speech.
- What is the difference between 'desagradecido' and 'ingrato'?
- 'Desagradecido' is the everyday word for ungrateful that you hear in casual conversation. 'Ingrato' has a more elevated or literary tone and often appears in proverbs and written texts, though both are perfectly correct in any context.
- How do you say 'Don't be ungrateful' in Spanish?
- You would say 'No seas desagradecido' (informal) or 'No sea desagradecido' (formal). The subjunctive 'seas/sea' is required after negative commands, which is a key grammar point for learners to practice.