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desperada

desperáda with stress marks

desperate woman

adjective noun des-pe-RA-da Spanish origin Less Common

Usage Note

Desperada, from Spanish desesperada, describes a woman acting out of desperation — often recklessly or in an extreme manner. The word gained wide cultural currency through OPM music and is used both colloquially and in pop culture. Desperado is the masculine counterpart.

Examples

Beginner

" Parang desperada na siya. "

Natural Translation

She seems desperate already.

Literal Translation

Seems desperate-woman already she.

Intermediate

" Isang desperada na babae ang tumawag. "

Natural Translation

A desperate woman called.

Literal Translation

One desperate that woman the called.

Advanced

" Hindi siya desperada; pinili lang niyang ipaglaban ang gusto niya kahit pinupuna ng iba. "

Natural Translation

She isn't a desperate woman; she simply chose to fight for what she wanted even though others criticized her.

Literal Translation

Not she desperate-woman; chose just she-to fight-for the want her even criticized by others.

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