Sordo

In Spanish, 'sordo' primarily describes a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. It can also be used metaphorically to describe something that doesn't produce sound, is muffled, or is difficult to understand due to poor audibility. Furthermore, 'sordo' can be applied figuratively to mean unwilling to listen, indifferent, or oblivious to something, similar to being tone-deaf in a social or emotional context. The word’s versatility makes it suitable in both literal and figurative speech.

Sordo meaning with examples

• El anciano era sordo y necesitaba un audífono para oír a sus nietos. (The elderly man was deaf and needed a hearing aid to hear his grandchildren.) The description is literal, directly referring to his hearing impairment and the need for assistance. This is the primary use of 'sordo'.
• La radio emitió un sonido sordo cuando las pilas se agotaron. (The radio emitted a muffled sound when the batteries died.) Here 'sordo' describes the quality of the sound, indicating a lack of clarity or volume. It is a descriptive adjective about audible characteristics.
• A pesar de sus súplicas, el político se mantuvo sordo ante las necesidades del pueblo. (Despite their pleas, the politician remained deaf to the people's needs.) This exemplifies the figurative use, representing indifference or unwillingness to listen.
• La puerta cerró con un golpe sordo, asustando al gato. (The door closed with a muffled bang, scaring the cat.) This instance emphasizes the sound's lack of clear resonance. Using sordo to describe sound quality.