Desfasado

Desfasado is a Spanish adjective with several related meanings. It commonly describes something that is out of sync or offset in time or phase, such as a signal or device whose timing is not aligned. It also characterizes things that are outdated or behind current standards, fashions, or practices, for example a technology that no longer meets contemporary requirements or a fashion that is no longer in style.

Etymology and usage: the word derives from desfase, meaning a misalignment or lag, formed with the prefix des- indicating reversal or separation. Desfasado is used across Spanish-speaking regions, with both technical and colloquial senses. In technical contexts it can refer to temporal desfase, phase misalignment in electronics or data transmission, or a device with delayed performance. In sociocultural contexts it denotes something outdated: una idea desfasada, una moda desfasada.

Examples and nuance: “El reloj está desfasado” means the clock is out of sync; “La empresa tiene un enfoque desfasado” suggests the company’s approach is outdated. Desfasado is closely related to desfase and can be used for both temporal and qualitative gaps. Related terms include desalineado, obsoleto, anticuado, and fuera de moda.