Afinado

Afinado is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese to describe something that is tuned, in tune, or pitch-perfect. In both languages, the adjective commonly refers to musical pitch, and it can describe instruments, voices, or other sound sources that are correctly tuned. The feminine form afinada and the plural afinados/afinadas are used to match the gender and number of the noun it modifies.

Etymologically, afinado comes from the verb afinar, meaning to tune or adjust pitch. Afinar itself denotes the act of bringing a musical instrument or voice into proper pitch, as well as the broader sense of refining or fine-tuning something. In everyday language, phrases such as la guitarra está afinada (the guitar is in tune) or la voz está afinada are typical.

In addition to its strict musical sense, afinar can also mean to refine, sharpen, or clarify in non-musical contexts. For example, one might afinar un argumento or afinar un plan, meaning to make it more precise or effective. While afinado appears in Spanish and Portuguese texts, it is less common as a standalone term in English, where in-tune or tuned are preferred translations.

Overall, afinado functions as a straightforward descriptor in music for correctly pitched sounds and, more broadly, as a verb-form-related concept for refining or adjusting various elements. See also afinar, afinación, and afinador for related concepts.