perseguido

Perseguido is the masculine singular past participle of perseguir in Spanish, and it functions as an adjective meaning “being pursued” or “hunted.” As a noun, perseguido (masculine) or perseguida (feminine) can denote a person who is subjected to pursuit or persecution, often in contexts of oppression or danger. The plural forms are perseguidos and perseguidas.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from the verb perseguir, which combines the Latin persequi “to pursue” with the Spanish suffix -ido to form the participle. In everyday language, it can describe someone who is actively pursued, such as a person fleeing from danger, as well as a state of systematic mistreatment.

Contexts and meanings: In legal and human rights contexts, a perseguido is someone who faces persecution—typically on grounds such as race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. Persecution can lead to protection claims, asylum, or refugee status in international or national law. The word also appears in historical discussions of political oppression, religious intolerance, or armed conflict, where individuals are described as being persecuted by authorities or other actors.

In culture: Perseguido frequently appears in literature, film, and journalism to convey a character’s vulnerability or to frame a narrative around escape, resistance, or survival. It is also used more broadly to describe the experience of someone under persistent threat or harassment.

See also: persecución, refugiado, asilo.