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determinado

certain

adjective deh-ter-mee-NAH-doh Less Common

Also means

determined

Usage Note

Determinado before a noun often means 'a certain' or 'a particular' (en determinadas circunstancias — in certain circumstances), while after a ser it means resolute or determined (es una persona muy determinada). This pre/post-nominal shift in meaning is a hallmark of Spanish adjectives and can confuse learners. It is the past participle of determinar used adjectivally.

Examples

"Esto ocurre en determinados momentos del año."

Natural Translation

This happens at certain times of the year.

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