apropiado
adjectiveCEFR B2
What does “apropiado” mean in English?
appropriate — socially or contextually correct and fitting
appropriate — socially or contextually correct and fitting (el comportamiento apropiado, el lenguaje apropiado)
Example sentences
El uso de un lenguaje informal no es apropiado en un informe destinado al consejo de administración.
Using informal language is not appropriate in a report intended for the board of directors.
Antes de responder, piensa si es el momento apropiado o si es mejor esperar a que las cosas se calmen.
Before responding, think about whether it's the appropriate moment or whether it's better to wait until things calm down.
El psicólogo le recomendó que buscara una forma más apropiada de expresar su frustración sin dañar a los demás.
The psychologist recommended he find a more appropriate way to express his frustration without hurting others.
How to use it
Apropiado/a means 'appropriate' — socially or contextually fitting, correct for the situation. Unlike adecuado (which focuses on functional sufficiency), apropiado centres on social propriety and contextual correctness. Common collocations: el comportamiento apropiado, el lenguaje apropiado, la respuesta apropiada, en el momento apropiado. Ser vs estar: apropiado normally takes ser when it describes classification ('esta ropa no es apropiada para la ocasión'); estar is possible for a temporary or evaluated state ('el tono no está apropiado en este párrafo').
Common mistake
Apropiado vs adecuado: apropiado is about social/contextual correctness ('is it appropriate here?'); adecuado is about meeting a functional standard ('is it good enough?'). 'La vestimenta apropiada' = correct dress code for the context. 'La vestimenta adecuada' = clothing that serves the purpose. In many contexts they are interchangeable, but at B2 the distinction is worth knowing for precision.