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inconsciente means unconscious — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: January 26, 2026

🩺 Medical Spanish

inconsciente

adjective • /[een-con-SYEN-te]/

unconscious

Example:

Llegó inconsciente a urgencias.

He arrived unconscious to the ER.

🧠 What does inconsciente mean?

The adjective 'inconsciente' has two primary meanings. In a medical context, it describes a state of being unconscious, lacking awareness, or having lost consciousness, often due to an injury, illness, or fainting. For example, a person found after an accident might be 'inconsciente'. Figuratively, 'inconsciente' describes a person who is reckless, thoughtless, or irresponsible, acting without considering the consequences of their actions. It can also be used as a noun, 'el inconsciente', to refer to the unconscious mind in the field of psychology.

📚 Extra examples

  • Los paramédicos encontraron al conductor inconsciente dentro del coche.
    The paramedics found the driver unconscious inside the car.
  • Fue un acto inconsciente de su parte conducir tan rápido con esa lluvia.
    It was a reckless act on his part to drive so fast in that rain.
  • Según la teoría freudiana, los sueños son una manifestación del inconsciente.
    According to Freudian theory, dreams are a manifestation of the unconscious mind.

💡 Did You Know?

In psychology, 'inconsciente' is a key term, particularly in psychoanalysis. Used as a noun, 'el inconsciente' refers to the part of the mind that operates outside of conscious awareness but influences actions and feelings. This concept was famously developed by Sigmund Freud.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "inconsciente"

Synonyms: desmayado, sin conocimiento, irresponsable, imprudente, insensato, temerario
Opposites: consciente, despierto, prudente, responsable, sensato

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'unconscious' in Spanish?
The primary Spanish word for 'unconscious' is 'inconsciente'.
How do you pronounce 'inconsciente' in Spanish?
The word is pronounced 'in-con-scien-te'. The stress falls on the third syllable, 'scien'.
How do you use 'inconsciente' in a sentence?
An example sentence is: 'La víctima del accidente quedó inconsciente por varios minutos.' (The accident victim was unconscious for several minutes.)
What is the English translation of 'inconsciente'?
The main English translation is 'unconscious'. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'reckless', 'thoughtless', or 'irresponsible'.
Does 'inconsciente' change for gender or number?
As an adjective ending in -e, 'inconsciente' does not change for gender. It is the same for masculine and feminine nouns. It does change for number: the plural form is 'inconscientes'.
Is 'inconsciente' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it is common in both its medical and figurative senses. The figurative meaning of 'reckless' or 'thoughtless' is frequently used to describe behavior in daily conversation.
Does 'inconsciente' have slang or double meanings?
It does not have slang meanings, but its primary double meaning is important: the literal medical state of being unconscious versus the figurative sense of being reckless or unaware of one's actions.
Is 'inconsciente' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the use and meaning of 'inconsciente' are consistent across the Spanish-speaking world.

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