bastardo
“bastardo” means “bastard” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
bastard
Also: illegitimate child
📝 In Action
En las novelas antiguas, el hijo bastardo luchaba por su herencia.
B2In old novels, the bastard son fought for his inheritance.
El rey reconoció a su hijo bastardo ante toda la corte.
C1The king recognized his illegitimate son before the entire court.
No es un insulto aquí, simplemente describe su origen familiar.
B1It is not an insult here; it simply describes his family origin.
bastard
Also: scoundrel, jerk
📝 In Action
¡Ese bastardo me robó los ahorros de toda mi vida!
C1That bastard stole my entire life savings!
No seas un bastardo y ayúdame con esto.
B2Don't be a jerk and help me with this.
El villano de la película era un auténtico bastardo.
B2The movie villain was a real bastard.
hybrid
Also: degenerate, spurious
📝 In Action
La letra bastarda era muy común en los manuscritos del siglo XVI.
C2The bastard script (slanted style) was very common in 16th-century manuscripts.
Es un idioma bastardo que mezcla raíces de tres lenguas diferentes.
C1It is a hybrid language that mixes roots from three different tongues.
Su estilo arquitectónico es bastardo, no sigue ninguna regla clara.
C2His architectural style is impure; it doesn't follow any clear rules.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "bastardo" in Spanish:
bastard→degenerate→hybrid→illegitimate child→jerk→scoundrel→spurious→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: bastardo
Question 1 of 3
If you are reading a history book about a King's son born outside of marriage, which word would be used?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Old French word 'bast,' which referred to a packsaddle. In the Middle Ages, children conceived by travelers on packsaddles (instead of in a marriage bed) were called 'bastards.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bastardo' as offensive as the English word?
Yes, it is very similar in weight. It is a strong insult and should be used with extreme caution.
Can I use 'bastardo' to describe a mixed-breed dog?
While technically possible in old Spanish, it is much more common and polite to use 'mestizo' or 'cruzado' for animals.
Does it have a positive meaning, like 'cool' or 'tough'?
Generally, no. Unlike some other insults that can be used playfully in certain Spanish-speaking countries, 'bastardo' almost always retains its negative or literal meaning.