In Spanish, this adjective describes something prized, sought after, or deeply desired by other people.
“Codiciado” is one of those Spanish words that feels richer once you see it in real sentences. A basic dictionary gloss often gives “coveted” or “desired,” and that is right, but it still leaves out the tone. The word usually points to something many people want, chase, or admire. It carries a sense of scarcity, status, appeal, or strong demand.
That makes it useful in far more places than learners expect. You can hear it in news reports, real estate talk, sports writing, job listings, fashion copy, and everyday conversation. Once you catch that pattern, the word stops feeling abstract and starts feeling practical.
What Codiciado Means In Spanish In Real Use
At its core, “codiciado” is an adjective. It describes a noun that people strongly want. In English, the nearest matches are usually “coveted,” “highly sought-after,” “desired,” or, in some cases, “prized.” The exact choice depends on the sentence.
Here’s the part that makes the word click: “codiciado” rarely refers to a mild preference. It usually suggests strong attraction. A “puesto codiciado” is not just a job opening. It is a job many people want. A “barrio codiciado” is not just a neighborhood. It is one people compete to live in.
Why The Tone Matters
If you translate every case as “desired,” your sentence may sound flat. “Desired” works, but it can miss the social pull behind the Spanish word. “Coveted” is often closer because it hints that other people want it too. That shared desire is a big part of the meaning.
Still, “coveted” can sound formal in English. In casual writing, “sought-after” may fit better. Good translation is less about one magic word and more about matching tone, setting, and audience.
Where The Word Comes From
“Codiciado” comes from the verb “codiciar,” which means “to desire eagerly” or “to covet.” That family connection helps. If someone “codicia” something, they want it intensely. If something is “codiciado,” it is the object of that strong desire.
You do not need the full grammar history to use the word well. You just need to feel the pull inside it: value, attraction, and demand packed into one adjective.
Common Contexts Where You’ll See Codiciado
This word appears in settings where people compete, compare, or chase status. That is why it shows up so often in media and polished writing. It can sound natural in speech too, though in casual talk some speakers may pick simpler phrases like “muy buscado” or “muy deseado.”
Work, Money, And Status
A “puesto codiciado” is a sought-after position. A “premio codiciado” is an award that many people want to win. In these cases, the word signals prestige as much as desire. People do not just want the thing. They know it has weight.
Homes, Places, And Access
Real estate writers love this adjective. A “zona codiciada” or “dirección codiciada” tells you the area is desirable, expensive, or hard to get into. The word instantly suggests demand without needing a long explanation.
Love, Beauty, And Personal Appeal
“Codiciado” can also describe a person, though context matters. A “soltero codiciado” is a bachelor many people want to date. In that setting, the word can sound playful, flattering, or a bit glossy, depending on the tone of the sentence.
It can also describe traits, titles, and possessions linked to admiration. Think of a “codiciado bolso,” “codiciado título,” or “codiciado papel” in a film or play.
Before you start using the word freely, it helps to compare the most common English matches side by side. That clears up why one translation works in one sentence and feels off in another.
| Spanish Use | Best English Match | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| puesto codiciado | coveted position | Suggests prestige and heavy competition |
| barrio codiciado | sought-after neighborhood | Sounds natural in property or lifestyle writing |
| premio codiciado | coveted award | Keeps the sense of honor and demand |
| objeto codiciado | prized object | Works when the item feels rare or valued |
| soltero codiciado | eligible bachelor | Often sounds smoother than a direct literal rendering |
| mercado codiciado | desirable market | Fits business and trade contexts |
| trofeo codiciado | coveted trophy | Strong match in sports and competition |
| papel codiciado | sought-after role | Natural in acting, casting, or job settings |
How To Translate Codiciado Without Sounding Stiff
Literal translation is only the first step. The better move is to ask what the sentence is trying to do. Is it praising something? Selling it? Describing competition? Framing status? That answer will steer your English choice.
Use “Coveted” When Prestige Is Front And Center
“Coveted” works well in formal or polished English. It fits awards, elite jobs, trophies, luxury goods, and sought-after invitations. It gives the sentence a polished feel that often matches the original Spanish.
Sentence pair: “Ganó el codiciado premio” becomes “She won the coveted award.” That sounds natural and keeps the sense of admiration around the prize.
Use “Sought-After” When You Want A Lighter Tone
“Sought-after” is often easier in modern English. It feels less literary than “coveted” and works well for neighborhoods, schools, speakers, products, and professionals. It still carries demand, but with a looser, more natural rhythm.
Sentence pair: “Vive en una zona codiciada” becomes “He lives in a sought-after area.” That is smooth, clear, and close to how English speakers often write.
Use “Desired” Or “Desirable” With Care
These choices can work, but they are not always the best fit. “Desired” may sound flat. “Desirable” can shift the meaning toward appeal rather than active demand. In some lines that is perfect. In others it weakens the original force of the Spanish.
The safest habit is this: keep “coveted” and “sought-after” at the top of your list, then switch only when the sentence plainly asks for a different shade.
| Context | Natural Translation | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| Award or trophy | Coveted | Formal and polished |
| Neighborhood or school | Sought-after | Natural and modern |
| Luxury item | Coveted or prized | Admiring and status-driven |
| Job or role | Coveted or sought-after | Competitive and appealing |
| Person in dating context | Eligible or sought-after | More idiomatic in English |
Sample Sentences That Make The Meaning Stick
Everyday And Media-Style Examples
Seeing the word in action is where it starts to stay in memory. These examples show how flexible it is across different topics:
- Ese apartamento está en una zona codiciada de la ciudad.
That apartment is in a sought-after part of the city. - Consiguió uno de los puestos más codiciados de la empresa.
She landed one of the company’s most coveted roles. - El actor obtuvo el codiciado papel principal.
The actor got the sought-after lead role. - Era un premio codiciado por atletas de todo el país.
It was a coveted award among athletes across the country. - Ese reloj se volvió un objeto codiciado entre coleccionistas.
That watch became a prized item among collectors.
What These Examples Have In Common
Each noun is desirable, but not in a quiet way. People want it, compete for it, admire it, or treat it as scarce. That social pressure is the thread running through the word. Once you notice that, you can often predict when “codiciado” is the right choice.
Common Mistakes Learners Make
Using It For Mild Preferences
If you only mean “liked” or “wanted,” “codiciado” may sound too strong. A simple preference does not always need this word. Save it for things with real pull, prestige, or demand.
Translating It The Same Way Every Time
This is the trap most learners fall into. One English word will not fit every case. “Coveted” is strong for awards and status. “Sought-after” often wins in daily prose. “Prized” can work for rare objects. Good translation breathes with context.
Forgetting Register
“Codiciado” can sound a bit elevated in some settings. That is not a flaw. It just means you should match it to the moment. In polished writing, it shines. In relaxed speech, speakers may switch to simpler wording.
When To Use Codiciado With Confidence
Use “codiciado” when you want more than “wanted.” Use it when demand matters. Use it when a thing has status, rarity, glamour, or visible competition around it. That could be a job, an address, a title, a person, an object, or a chance that many people would grab if they could.
If you are reading Spanish, the word is a useful signal. It tells you the writer wants the noun to feel desirable in a public way, not just a private one. If you are writing Spanish, it gives you a clean way to add force and color without making the sentence long.
So when you see “codiciado,” think beyond “desired.” Think prized, sought-after, and chased. That extra shade is what makes the word worth learning well.