deficiente

Deficiente is an adjective used in several Romance languages, notably Spanish and Portuguese, meaning deficient, defective, or lacking in some quality. It can describe objects, processes, or conditions that do not meet a required standard. In Portuguese, deficiente can refer to a defect in a product or to a person who has a disability, while in Spanish it can describe deficiencies in things as well as people.

Etymology and related terms: the word derives from Latin deficiens, the present participle of deficere, meaning to fail or be lacking. The related noun deficiência (Portuguese) or deficiencia (Spanish) denotes a deficiency or disability. The term deficiente, when applied to people, has historically been used in various contexts but is increasingly viewed as outdated or pejorative in reference to disability.

Usage and nuance: in contemporary discourse, many speakers prefer person-first or disability-positive phrasing, such as “persona con discapacidad” in Spanish or “pessoa com deficiência” in Portuguese, to emphasize the person rather than the condition. The compound phrases deficiente visual, deficiente auditivo, or deficiente físico describe specific impairments (visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically disabled) and are still encountered in clinical, educational, and social contexts, though regional preferences vary.

See also: deficiência, discapacidad, deficiencia, deficiente (as a general term).