Lael logo

despistado means scatterbrained — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 9, 2025

😆 Funny Words

despistado

adjective • /[des-pees-TA-do]/

scatterbrained

Example:

Ese despistado dejó las llaves en la nevera.

That scatterbrained guy left the keys in the fridge.

🧠 What does despistado mean?

The adjective 'despistado' describes someone who is scatterbrained, absent-minded, forgetful, or easily distracted. It refers to a person who is not paying attention to their surroundings or to the task at hand, often leading to them making small mistakes, losing things, or forgetting appointments. It can describe a permanent personality trait (used with 'ser') or a temporary state of mind (used with 'estar'). The word originates from the verb 'despistar', which means to throw someone off the track or mislead them. Therefore, a 'despistado' person is metaphorically 'off the track' or lost in their own thoughts.

📚 Extra examples

  • Mi hermano es muy despistado; siempre pierde las llaves de casa.
    My brother is very scatterbrained; he always loses his house keys.
  • Perdona, hoy estoy un poco despistada y no te oí. ¿Puedes repetirlo?
    Sorry, I'm a bit absent-minded today and didn't hear you. Can you repeat that?
  • Los turistas andaban despistados, mirando el mapa al revés.
    The tourists were wandering around cluelessly, looking at the map upside down.

💡 Did You Know?

The root of 'despistado' is 'pista', which means 'track,' 'clue,' or 'trail.' The prefix 'des-' negates it. So, someone who is 'despistado' is literally 'off the track' or has lost the clue, which perfectly captures the sense of being mentally lost or absent-minded.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "despistado"

Synonyms: distraído, olvidadizo, ensimismado, desmemoriado, ido
Opposites: atento, concentrado, enfocado, avispado, espabilado

🔍 See more funny words words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'scatterbrained' in Spanish?
A very common and accurate way to say 'scatterbrained' in Spanish is 'despistado' (for a male) or 'despistada' (for a female).
How do you pronounce 'despistado' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is des-pis-TA-do, with the stress on the third syllable, 'TA'.
How do you use 'despistado' in a sentence?
You can use it with the verb 'ser' for a personality trait, as in 'Soy muy despistado y olvido las fechas importantes.' (I'm very scatterbrained and forget important dates.) You can also use it with 'estar' for a temporary state: 'Estaba despistado y me pasé mi parada de autobús.' (I was distracted and missed my bus stop.)
What is the English translation of 'despistado'?
The English translation of 'despistado' is scatterbrained, absent-minded, clueless, or forgetful.
Does 'despistado' change for gender or number?
Yes, as an adjective, it must agree with the noun it modifies. The forms are: 'despistado' (masculine singular), 'despistada' (feminine singular), 'despistados' (masculine plural), and 'despistadas' (feminine plural).
Is 'despistado' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'despistado' is an extremely common word used frequently in everyday conversation across the entire Spanish-speaking world.
Does 'despistado' have slang or double meanings?
Its primary meaning is 'scatterbrained' or 'absent-minded'. It can also mean 'clueless' or 'unaware' of a particular situation. While not slang, it can also be used more literally to describe someone who is lost or has lost their way.
Is 'despistado' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the word 'despistado' is used with the same meaning and frequency in both Spain and Latin America. It is universally understood.

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store