desajustado

Desajustado is a Spanish adjective derived from the verb desajustar, meaning "to misalign, to match improperly, or to bring into dissonance." It describes objects, systems, or persons that are not properly aligned, balanced, or harmonious. In mechanical contexts, a desajustado part is one that has been incorrectly fitted or has lost its intended positioning, which can lead to inefficiency or failure. For example, a desajustado pistón in an engine may result in uneven wear or reduced performance. In music, desajustado refers to notes that are off‑key or chords that clash harmonically, producing a dissonant or unpleasant sound. Musicians might intentionally use desajustado the intervals for avant‑garde effects, but generally it denotes an error in tuning.

In social or psychological contexts, the term can describe a person whose behavior or habits seem out of place or inconsistent with their environment, sometimes implying eccentricity or imbalance. Official usage in psychology rarely appears; more commonly it is found in colloquial speech. The noun desajuste conveys the state of being out of balance, whether physically, emotionally, or socially. Related Spanish adjectives include desalineado, desfasado, or desequilibrado. The antonym is ajustado, denoting proper alignment or agreement. Desajustado appears in contemporary literature, film subtitles, and technical manuals, reflecting its broad applicability across Spanish‑speaking cultures.