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barbaridad

bar-bah-ree-DAHD/baɾβaɾiˈðað/

a huge amount

Also: tons, a great deal
NounfB1informal
A massive, overflowing mountain of colorful apples.

📝 In Action

Había una barbaridad de gente en el concierto.

A2

There were tons of people at the concert.

Este coche cuesta una barbaridad.

B1

This car costs a fortune.

Ese chico sabe una barbaridad de historia.

B1

That guy knows an incredible amount about history.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • montón (heap/pile)
  • infinidad (infinity/huge number)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • una barbaridad de – a huge amount of
  • costar una barbaridad – to cost an arm and a leg

nonsense

Also: outrageous thing, stupidity
NounfB2
A silly dog wearing oversized glasses and a polka dot bowtie sitting at a tiny desk.

📝 In Action

¡Qué barbaridad estás diciendo!

B1

What nonsense are you talking!

Es una barbaridad que cierren el hospital.

B2

It's outrageous that they are closing the hospital.

Cometió una barbaridad al dejar su trabajo sin tener otro.

B2

He did something crazy by quitting his job without having another one.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • sensatez (common sense)
  • acierto (correct move/wise decision)

Common Collocations

  • decir barbaridades – to talk nonsense/say shocking things
  • ¡Qué barbaridad! – Good grief! / That's outrageous!

Idioms & Expressions

  • ¡Qué barbaridad! – An exclamation used to show shock, surprise, or disapproval.

atrocity

Also: cruelty, barbarity
NounfC1formal
A broken, cracked stone statue lying in the grass.

📝 In Action

Las barbaridades cometidas durante la guerra nunca serán olvidadas.

C1

The atrocities committed during the war will never be forgotten.

Tratar así a los animales es una barbaridad.

B2

Treating animals like that is an atrocity.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: barbaridad

Question 1 of 3

If someone says '¡Qué barbaridad!' after seeing a high restaurant bill, they are:

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
bárbaro(barbarian / amazing (slang)) — Adjective
barbarie(barbarity/savagery) — Noun
barbarismo(language error) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin 'barbaritas', which referred to the behavior of 'barbarians' (people who didn't speak Greek or Latin). Over time, it shifted from meaning 'uncivilized' to describing anything 'excessive' or 'shocking.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: barbarityFrench: barbarie

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'barbaridad' always a bad thing?

Not necessarily! While it often describes something shocking or wrong, it can be used positively to mean 'incredible amount.' For example, 'Canta una barbaridad' means 'She sings incredibly well/much.'

How is it different from 'mucho'?

'Mucho' means 'a lot,' but 'barbaridad' is much more intense. It's like the difference between saying 'I have a lot of work' and 'I have a mountain of work.'

Can I use 'barbaridad' to describe a person?

No, it's a noun for an action or quantity. To describe a person, use the adjective 'bárbaro' (which can mean cruel, or in some countries, very cool/talented).