irrequieto

Irrequieto is an adjective used in Portuguese and Spanish to describe someone who is restless, unsettled, or unable to keep still. The term can refer to people, animals, or situations and often carries a negative or pejorative nuance, though it can be descriptive rather than judgmental. It is commonly applied to children, adolescents, or adults with a lively, energetic, or fidgety disposition, and can also describe environments or moods that lack calm.

Etymology and cognates: The word is related to the adjective quieto (quiet) and derives from Latin inquietus, meaning unsettled or disturbed. In Iberian Romance languages, the form irrequieto exists alongside the more widespread inquieto; in Portuguese and Spanish, irrequieto tends to appear in literary or archaic contexts, while inquieto is the everyday equivalent in most modern usage.

Usage and nuances: In Portuguese, irrequieto often conveys a persistent restlessness or difficulty in remaining still or focused. It can describe a child who cannot sit still, a person prone to mood shifts, or a situation marked by constant changes. In Spanish, irrequieto is less common today and may be found in older texts or as a stylistic choice; the standard synonym is inquieto. Related terms include agitado, movido, and nervioso, with antonyms such as tranquilo, sereno, and calm.

See also: Inquietud, a related noun meaning restlessness or unease. The concept is used across Iberian languages to discuss temperament, behavior, and states of motion or tension.