desorden
nounCEFR B2
What does “desorden” mean in English?
mess, disorder — a state of untidiness or confusion; administrative chaos
mess, disorder — a state of untidiness or confusion; administrative chaos (en desorden; desorden administrativo)
Example sentences
El desorden administrativo en la gestión del proyecto provocó retrasos y un incremento notable del presupuesto.
Administrative disorder in the project management caused delays and a notable increase in the budget.
Los libros estaban amontonados en desorden sobre el escritorio, mezclados con facturas y notas.
The books were piled in disorder on the desk, mixed in with invoices and notes.
Los vecinos denunciaron el desorden público generado tras el cierre de los bares de la zona.
Residents reported the public disorder generated after the closing of bars in the area.
How to use it
El desorden (noun, masculine) means 'disorder', 'mess', or 'chaos' — a state of untidiness or lack of organisation. Key collocations: en desorden (in disorder); desorden administrativo; crear/causar desorden; desorden público (public disorder). Distinguish from caos (chaos — more extreme) and trastorno (disorder — medical/psychological). The phrase en desorden is a fixed adverbial. Note: in medical Spanish, trastorno (not desorden) is used for psychological conditions.
Common mistake
Desorden (untidiness/disorder) ≠ trastorno (medical/psychological disorder: use trastorno de ansiedad, not desorden de ansiedad — though the latter is used in Latin American Spanish). Caos implies more extreme disorder. En desorden is the standard adverbial phrase. 'Disorderly' = desordenado/a (adjective).