Inklingo
Dictionary

escrúpulo

es-KROO-poo-loesˈkɾupulo

“escrúpulo” means “scruple” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

scrupleB2Noun

a moral doubt or hesitation

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squeamishnessB1Noun

physical disgust or revulsion

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meticulousnessC1Noun

extreme care and precision

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scrupleAlso: qualm

NounmB2
A person standing at a fork in a path, looking thoughtfully at a small bird blocking one way.

📝 In Action

No tiene escrúpulos a la hora de mentir para ganar dinero.

B2

He has no qualms when it comes to lying to make money.

Sus escrúpulos morales le impidieron aceptar el soborno.

C1

His moral scruples prevented him from accepting the bribe.

Es una empresa sin escrúpulos que no cuida el medio ambiente.

B2

It's a company without scruples that doesn't care for the environment.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • reparo (objection/doubt)
  • duda (doubt)

Antonyms

  • desvergüenza (shamelessness)

Common Collocations

  • sin escrúpulos – ruthless / without scruples
  • tener escrúpulos – to have moral hesitations

squeamishnessAlso: disgust

NounmB1
A person with a disgusted face looking at a slimy green puddle on the ground.

📝 In Action

Me da escrúpulo usar los cubiertos de este restaurante tan sucio.

B1

It makes me squeamish to use the silverware in this dirty restaurant.

No sientas escrúpulo, la comida está perfectamente limpia.

B2

Don't feel disgusted; the food is perfectly clean.

Siente escrúpulo ante la sangre.

B2

He feels squeamish at the sight of blood.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • asco (disgust)
  • repugnancia (repugnance)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • dar escrúpulo – to gross someone out
  • sentir escrúpulo – to feel squeamish

meticulousnessAlso: scrupulousness

NounmC1formal
A person using a magnifying glass to perfectly align tiny colorful beads in a straight line.

📝 In Action

El historiador analizó los documentos con todo escrúpulo.

C1

The historian analyzed the documents with extreme care.

Realizó su trabajo con un escrúpulo admirable.

C1

He performed his work with admirable meticulousness.

Hay que seguir las instrucciones con mucho escrúpulo.

C2

The instructions must be followed very scrupulously.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • meticulosidad (meticulousness)
  • minuciosidad (thoroughness)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • con todo escrúpulo – with the utmost care

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "escrúpulo" in Spanish:

disgustmeticulousnessqualmscruplescrupulousnesssqueamishness

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: escrúpulo

Question 1 of 3

What does it mean if a politician is described as 'sin escrúpulos'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
escrupuloso(scrupulous / meticulous) — Adjective
escrupulosamente(scrupulously) — Adverb
inescrupuloso(unscrupulous) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes
capítulodispúsculo
📚 Etymology

From the Latin 'scrupulus', which means 'a small, sharp stone'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: scrupleFrench: scrupule

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'escrúpulo' the same as 'asco'?

Not exactly. 'Asco' is general disgust. 'Escrúpulo' is more about being picky, squeamish, or having a moral hesitation. You feel 'escrúpulo' about a dirty spoon, but 'asco' about a pile of trash.

Is it a common word in everyday Spanish?

Yes, especially the plural 'escrúpulos' (moral) and the phrase 'me da escrúpulo' (squeamishness). It's very useful for describing ethics or hygiene.

Can it be a good thing to have 'escrúpulo'?

Yes! In professional settings, 'escrúpulo' means you are very careful and precise. In moral settings, it means you have a strong conscience.