cínico
“cínico” means “shameless” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
shameless
Also: brazen, hypocritical, cynical
📝 In Action
Me parece muy cínico que pidas honestidad cuando tú siempre mientes.
B2I find it very shameless that you ask for honesty when you always lie.
El político dio una respuesta cínica para evitar el escándalo.
C1The politician gave a brazen response to avoid the scandal.
No seas cínico, todos vimos lo que hiciste.
B1Don't be shameless, we all saw what you did.
cynic
📝 In Action
Diógenes de Sinope fue el cínico más famoso de la historia.
C2Diogenes of Sinope was the most famous Cynic in history.
Ese hombre es un cínico; no le importa el daño que causa.
B2That man is a shameless person; he doesn't care about the damage he causes.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cínico
Question 1 of 3
What is the primary difference between English 'cynical' and Spanish 'cínico'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Ancient Greek word 'kynikos,' which literally means 'dog-like.' It was originally used to describe a group of philosophers who lived simply and often ignored social rules, much like dogs.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cínico' a very offensive word?
It is quite strong. Calling someone 'cínico' is a direct attack on their honesty and character. It’s similar to calling someone 'shameless' or 'a hypocrite' in English.
Can I use 'cínico' to describe a movie or a book?
Yes, if the content of the movie or book features themes of blatant hypocrisy or a dark, shameless outlook on human society.
Does it have anything to do with being 'pessimistic'?
Sometimes, but only if that pessimism involves a total disregard for social norms or ethics. If you just mean someone is negative, 'pesimista' is a better choice.