canalla
/kah-NAH-yah/
scoundrel
Used as a noun, canalla refers to a scoundrel or dishonest person.
canalla(noun)
scoundrel
?A dishonest or malicious person
,villain
?A wicked or evil character
rogue
?A mischievous person (less harsh)
,swine
?A very unpleasant person (insult)
📝 In Action
El presidente de la compañía resultó ser un canalla que robó a sus empleados.
B2The president of the company turned out to be a scoundrel who stole from his employees.
¡Eres una canalla por haber mentido así!
B1You are a villain for having lied like that!
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Flexibility
Even though canalla ends in -a, it can easily refer to both men (el canalla) and women (la canalla). The word itself stays the same.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it too lightly
Mistake: "Using 'canalla' for a minor annoyance."
Correction: This word carries strong negative weight. Use lighter words like 'travieso' (naughty) for small offenses. Reserve 'canalla' for genuine acts of betrayal or cruelty.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Character
You use 'canalla' to describe someone's fundamental character flaw, not just a one-time mistake. It implies a deep lack of moral fiber.
When used as an adjective, canalla describes a despicable or contemptible action.
canalla(adjective)
despicable
?Describing an action
,vile
?Describing behavior or character
dishonorable
?Describing an act
📝 In Action
Fue un gesto canalla dejar a su amigo solo en el problema.
C1It was a despicable gesture to leave his friend alone with the problem.
Su comportamiento canalla en la reunión ofendió a todos.
C1His vile behavior at the meeting offended everyone.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Placement
As an adjective, canalla usually follows the noun it describes (un gesto canalla), which is common for adjectives that express strong judgment or quality.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: canalla
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'canalla' correctly as an adjective?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'canalla' change its ending for men and women?
No, the word 'canalla' itself always ends in -a. If you are talking about a man, you say 'el canalla,' and if you are talking about a woman, you say 'la canalla.' The ending stays the same, but the word defining the person's gender (like 'el' or 'la') changes.