educados

Educados is the plural masculine form of the adjective educado in Spanish and Portuguese, and can function as both an adjective and a noun phrase meaning “educated people” or “those who are educated.” As an adjective, educado describes someone who has received formal education or, more generally, who has been brought up with good manners. The feminine forms are educada (singular) and educadas (plural). In everyday speech, phrases like bien educado and mal educado are common, meaning well-mannered or rude, respectively.

Etymology and grammar: Educado comes from the verb educar, to educate, which in turn traces to Latin educare, meaning to lead forth or bring up. The word shares this root across Spanish and Portuguese, with gender and number agreement reflected in phrases such as un chico educado, una chica educada, los educados, as educados, etc.

Usage and nuances: In both languages, educado can denote either formal schooling or good upbringing, depending on context. As a noun phrase, “los educados” or “os educados” can refer to educated people as a social group or stereotype, though this usage is less common than the adjectival sense. The term’s connotations are generally positive but can be nuanced by regional or social context.

See also: Educación (education in Spanish), Educação (education in Portuguese), polite society and manners.