caramba
“caramba” means “Wow!” in Spanish (Expressing surprise or admiration).
Wow!, Darn it!
Also: My goodness!, Good Heavens!
📝 In Action
¡Caramba! ¡Qué casa tan grande tienen!
B1Wow! What a big house they have!
¡Caramba! Olvidé la cartera en la oficina otra vez.
B1Darn it! I forgot my wallet at the office again.
¡Caramba, ese es un buen precio!
B1My goodness, that's a good price!
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: caramba
Question 1 of 1
Which emotion is '¡Caramba!' most likely used to express?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The exact origin is a bit mysterious, but it is widely believed to have started as a 'euphemism'—a polite or softened way of saying a much stronger, cruder Spanish curse word (like 'carajo'). It allows speakers to vent strong feelings without being offensive.
First recorded: 18th century
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'caramba' considered rude or offensive?
No, absolutely not. It is actually considered a polite, or even slightly old-fashioned, way to express surprise or frustration, often used specifically to avoid saying something truly rude.