astuto

ah-STOO-toh/asˈtuto/

“astuto” means “shrewd” in Spanish (Clever and practical in business or strategy).

shrewd, cunning

Also: clever, crafty

AdjectivemB1

A cunning fox wearing a small vest, sitting at a miniature wooden table with a chessboard, contemplating its next strategic move.

📝 In Action

El zorro es un animal muy astuto.

The fox is a very cunning animal.

Ella es una negociadora astuta; siempre consigue el mejor precio.

She is a shrewd negotiator; she always gets the best price.

Necesitas ser astuto para ganar este juego de estrategia.

You need to be clever to win this strategy game.

Word Connections

Synonyms

listo (smart, ready)
inteligente (intelligent)
sagaz (shrewd, perceptive)

Antonyms

ingenuo (naive)
tonto (silly, foolish)

Common Collocations

mente astuta – shrewd mind
plan astuto – cunning plan

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "astuto" in Spanish:

clever→crafty→cunning→shrewd→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: astuto

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'astuto' in a negative or critical way?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

astucia(cunning, shrewdness (the noun)) — Noun

astutamente(shrewdly, cunningly) — Adverb

🎵 Rhymes▼

fruto bruto

📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word *astūtus*, meaning 'crafty' or 'sagacious.' It shares roots with the idea of 'knowing how to act' or 'having insight.'

First recorded: 15th century (documented)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: astutoItalian: astuto

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'astuto' always a bad thing?

'Astuto' is neutral, but often leans negative. If you call someone 'astuto,' you mean they are clever in a strategic way, possibly using tricks. If you want a purely positive word for smart, use 'inteligente' or 'brillante'.

What is the difference between 'listo' and 'astuto'?

'Listo' means smart or ready for a task. 'Astuto' specifically means shrewd or cunning—it suggests a person is very good at figuring out how to get their way, often subtly.