bastardos
/bahs-TAHR-dohs/
illegitimate sons
This illustration captures the meaning of bastardos as illegitimate sons, often depicted historically as children standing apart.
bastardos(Noun)
illegitimate sons
?children born out of wedlock
,bastards
?historical term for children of illicit unions
mixed breeds
?referring to animals or plants (less common)
📝 In Action
En la historia de la realeza, los bastardos a menudo eran una amenaza para el trono.
B1In the history of royalty, the illegitimate sons were often a threat to the throne.
Los documentos mencionan a dos hermanos bastardos que no tenían derecho a heredar.
B2The documents mention two illegitimate brothers who had no right to inherit.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Plural
This word is the masculine plural form. To refer to a group of females, you would use 'bastardas'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use as an Adjective
Although listed as a noun here, 'bastardos' can also function as an adjective meaning 'illegitimate' or 'mixed,' modifying other masculine plural nouns (e.g., 'tipos bastardos' - mixed typefaces).
Bastardos can be used as an insult meaning scoundrels or contemptible people, visualized here as two whispering villains.
bastardos(Adjective)
scoundrels
?insulting: malicious or contemptible people
,villains
?informal, referring to bad guys
,jerks
?general term of abuse
counterfeit
?figurative meaning: referring to something impure or false
📝 In Action
¡Esos bastardos nos robaron todo el dinero!
B2Those scoundrels stole all our money!
No confíes en ellos, son unos bastardos que solo buscan problemas.
B2Don't trust them, they are jerks who only look for trouble.
💡 Grammar Points
Intense Emotion
When used in this way, 'bastardos' carries a strong negative emotion, often used in anger or frustration, similar to strong curses in English.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
While it literally relates to birth, this meaning is almost always used to mean 'bad people' or 'traitors,' without any connection to parentage.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: bastardos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'bastardos' in its most common, informal, modern meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bastardos' a strong insult?
Yes, in Spanish, similar to English, this word is considered a strong insult. While it can be used jokingly among very close friends in some regions, it is generally offensive and should be avoided in formal or polite conversation.
Does 'bastardos' always mean 'illegitimate children'?
Not usually in daily conversation. While that is its literal and historical meaning, it is far more often used figuratively to mean 'scoundrels' or 'bad people' who have acted maliciously.