sedentario
adjectiveCEFR B1
What does “sedentario” mean in English?
sedentary
sedentary (characterised by physical inactivity or prolonged sitting)
Example sentences
El sedentarismo es uno de los principales factores de riesgo para las enfermedades cardiovasculares, la diabetes tipo dos y la obesidad, según la OMS.
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, type-two diabetes, and obesity, according to the WHO.
Muchas personas llevan una vida sedentaria sin darse cuenta porque el cuerpo se adapta a la falta de movimiento y deja de pedir ejercicio de forma activa.
Many people lead a sedentary life without realising it because the body adapts to the lack of movement and stops demanding exercise actively.
How to use it
Sedentario/a means 'sedentary' — physically inactive, characterised by sitting or low movement. The noun el sedentarismo describes the condition of leading a sedentary lifestyle. Key collocates: estilo de vida sedentario, trabajo sedentario (desk job), vida sedentaria. It is a reliable cognate with English 'sedentary'.
Common mistake
Sedentario is a reliable cognate. The key distinction at B1 is the noun el sedentarismo (the condition or phenomenon), which has no single English equivalent (we say 'sedentary lifestyle' or 'physical inactivity'). Do not confuse sedentario (inactive person) with tranquilo (calm) — they are unrelated. The opposite of sedentario is activo, not deportivo.