bobo
“bobo” means “silly” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
silly, foolish
Also: naive, dumb
📝 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.
fool, simpleton
Also: dummy
📝 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.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ 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
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'bobo' likely comes from the Latin word 'balbus,' which meant 'stuttering' or 'lisping.' This meaning evolved over time to describe someone who speaks or acts simply, eventually leading to the sense of 'foolish' or 'silly.'
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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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.