bobo
/BOH-boh/
silly
Bobo (silly): Describing playful or lighthearted foolishness.
bobo(adjective)
silly
?describing playful or lighthearted foolishness
,foolish
?lacking good sense or judgment
naive
?easily tricked or believing
,dumb
?a mild, non-offensive way to say stupid
📝 In Action
Mi hermano es muy bobo; siempre se ríe de sus propios chistes.
A2My brother is very silly; he always laughs at his own jokes.
No seas tan boba y revisa el contrato antes de firmar.
B1Don't be so foolish and check the contract before signing.
Fue una idea muy boba salir sin paraguas cuando estaba lloviendo.
B1It was a very silly idea to go out without an umbrella when it was raining.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
'Bobo' must change its ending to match the person it describes: 'bobo' for males and 'boba' for females. Use 'bobos' or 'bobas' for groups.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Ser and Estar
Mistake: "Using 'estar bobo'."
Correction: Use 'ser bobo' (to be a silly person in general). You only use 'estar' if someone is temporarily stunned or dazed: 'Estaba bobo después del golpe' (He was dazed after the hit).
⭐ Usage Tips
A Mild Insult
Unlike harsher insults, 'bobo' is usually quite mild, often used jokingly or affectionately among friends, especially in Spain and parts of Latin America.
Bobo (fool): Referring to a person lacking judgment.
bobo(noun)
fool
?a person lacking judgment
,simpleton
?a naive or gullible person
dummy
?informal term for a stupid person
📝 In Action
No seas un bobo; ¡te engañaron fácilmente!
A2Don't be a fool; they tricked you easily!
El bobo del pueblo es el que siempre cae en bromas pesadas.
B1The village simpleton is the one who always falls for practical jokes.
💡 Grammar Points
Using Articles
When 'bobo' is used as a noun (referring to a person), it often needs an article like 'el' or 'un': 'el bobo' (the fool), 'un bobo' (a fool).
⭐ Usage Tips
Gendered Noun
Remember to use 'la boba' or 'una boba' when referring to a female person.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: bobo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'bobo' as a noun (a person) rather than an adjective (a description)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bobo' a strong insult?
Generally, no. 'Bobo' is much milder than words like 'estúpido' (stupid) or 'idiota' (idiot). It often means 'silly,' 'naive,' or 'goofy,' and can even be used playfully or affectionately, depending on your tone.
How is 'bobo' different from 'tonto'?
'Bobo' and 'tonto' are very similar and often interchangeable, both meaning 'silly' or 'foolish.' 'Tonto' might be slightly more common across all regions, but both are used frequently in informal speech.