carajo
“carajo” means “damn!” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
damn!, fuck!, hell!
📝 In Action
¡Carajo, se me olvidaron las llaves otra vez!
B2Damn it, I forgot the keys again!
¿Pero qué carajo estás haciendo aquí?
C1What the hell are you doing here?
¡Carajo! Me pegué en el dedo del pie.
C1Fuck! I stubbed my toe.
a damn, hell / the middle of nowhere
Also: penis
📝 In Action
Me importa un carajo lo que piensen los demás.
C1I don't give a damn what other people think.
Después de la discusión, lo mandó al carajo.
C1After the argument, she told him to go to hell.
Esa casa queda en el quinto carajo.
C2That house is in the middle of nowhere.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: carajo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'carajo' to express that someone doesn't care about something at all?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
The exact origin of 'carajo' is a mystery that linguists love to debate! One popular and colorful theory is that it was the name for the crow's nest on old sailing ships. This was the highest, most exposed part of the ship, making it a miserable and remote place to be sent as a punishment. This would explain why 'mandar al carajo' means sending someone to a horrible, faraway place.
First recorded: 16th century
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'carajo' the worst or strongest swear word in Spanish?
It's definitely one of the strongest and most versatile, much like the f-word in English. Its power can change depending on the country, the situation, and your tone of voice. But it's safe to say it's always considered vulgar and should be avoided in polite company.
Can I use 'vete al carajo' with friends?
Even with friends, it's very strong. It means 'go to hell' or 'fuck off'. You would only use it if you were genuinely very angry with them or if your friend group has a very high tolerance for strong language and you're clearly joking.