curioso
/koo-ree-OH-so/
curious
A curious fox investigating the unknown, illustrating 'curioso' meaning curious.
curioso(Adjective)
curious
?having a strong desire to know or learn something
,inquisitive
?eager for knowledge
📝 In Action
Mi hermana es una persona muy curiosa y siempre está leyendo libros nuevos.
A1My sister is a very curious person and is always reading new books.
Los niños pequeños son naturalmente curiosos sobre el mundo que los rodea.
A2Small children are naturally curious about the world around them.
Soy curioso, ¿cuál es tu opinión sobre esto?
B1I'm curious, what is your opinion on this?
💡 Grammar Points
Changing Endings
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'curioso' changes its ending to match the noun it describes: 'curiosa' (feminine singular), 'curiosos' (masculine plural), and 'curiosas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Ser and Estar
Mistake: "Estar curioso."
Correction: Use 'Ser curioso' (Soy curioso). Curiosity is a characteristic, so we use the verb 'ser'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Nosiness
While 'curioso' means inquisitive, in some contexts, it can imply 'nosy.' If you want to be clear about negative curiosity, you might use 'entrometido' (meddlesome).
An unusual and strange square apple among round ones, illustrating 'curioso' meaning strange.
curioso(Adjective)
strange
?unusual or surprising
,odd
?peculiar
funny
?in the sense of 'a funny coincidence'
📝 In Action
Es curioso que nos encontremos aquí, ¡es la tercera vez esta semana!
B1It's strange/odd that we run into each other here, it's the third time this week!
Había un ruido curioso en el motor del coche.
B2There was a strange noise in the car engine.
Me pasó una cosa curiosa ayer en el supermercado.
B1A peculiar thing happened to me yesterday at the supermarket.
💡 Grammar Points
Curious vs. Strange
When 'curioso' describes a situation or event (like 'it's strange that...'), it means unusual or surprising, not inquisitive.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Funny' for Humor
Mistake: "El chiste fue muy curioso."
Correction: Use 'gracioso' or 'divertido' for something that makes you laugh. 'Curioso' implies strange, not humorous.
A meticulous mouse carefully placing every item with precision, illustrating 'curioso' meaning meticulous.
curioso(Adjective)
meticulous
?careful and precise
,neat
?tidy, done with care
detailed
?involving attention to small parts
📝 In Action
El carpintero hizo un trabajo muy curioso con la madera.
B2The carpenter did a very meticulous job with the wood.
Su caligrafía es curiosa y elegante.
C1His handwriting is neat and elegant.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Contexts
This meaning is usually found in descriptions of professional or artistic work where attention to detail is highlighted.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: curioso
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation is correct for the following sentence: 'Me encontré con un objeto muy curioso en la playa.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'curioso' means 'curious' or 'strange'?
Look at what it describes! If it describes a person, it usually means 'inquisitive' ('Ella es curiosa'). If it describes an event, an object, or a situation, it usually means 'strange' or 'odd' ('Esto es curioso').
Can I use 'curioso' to mean 'nosy'?
Yes, but be careful. Depending on the tone, 'curioso' can imply someone is too interested in other people's business. If you want to be explicitly negative, use 'entrometido' or 'metiche' (informal).