variado

Variado is an adjective used in Spanish and Portuguese to indicate diversity or mixture, describing something that shows variety rather than uniformity. It can refer to a collection, selection, or group that includes different kinds or elements. The term comes from Latin variatus, from varius meaning changing or diverse, and shares its roots with related words in Romance languages.

In Spanish, variado is widely employed to characterize menus, repertorios, portfolios, or sets that offer a range of items. Examples include un menú variado (a varied menu), un repertorio variado (a varied repertoire), or un grupo variado de personas (a diverse group of people). The nuance is often that the items are appreciably different from each other, rather than merely numerous. Depending on context, synonyms such as diverso or heterogéneo may be used, with variado stressing the breadth of options.

In Portuguese, variado functions similarly and is common in everyday language and commercial descriptions. Phrases like prato variado (varied plate), conjunto variado (varied set), or opiniões variadas (varied opinions) illustrate its usage. Portuguese also uses feminine variada for feminine nouns. While adverbial forms exist (variadamente), they are uncommon in routine speech; more frequent constructions describe variation with adjectives or adverbs such as de várias maneiras.

Variado does not denote a specific technical concept or proper noun, but serves as a general descriptor in both languages. It is typically chosen when the emphasis is on diversity and inclusion of different elements, rather than on a uniform or homogeneous set.