estúpido
/eh-STOO-pee-doh/
stupid
Depicting a stupid idea: A person attempts to use a pillow as a hammer, visualizing a lack of intelligence or common sense.
estúpido(Adjective)
stupid
?lacking intelligence or common sense
dumb
?foolish, senseless
,idiotic
?extremely foolish
📝 In Action
Esa fue una idea estúpida.
B1That was a stupid idea.
Me sentí muy estúpido cuando me di cuenta de mi error.
B1I felt very stupid when I realized my mistake.
No hagas preguntas estúpidas.
B2Don't ask stupid questions.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'estúpido' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'estúpida' for feminine things ('una idea estúpida') and add an 's' for plural things ('chistes estúpidos').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it too lightly
Mistake: "Thinking 'estúpido' means 'silly', like you might say in English, "Oh, I forgot my keys, how silly of me!""
Correction: In Spanish, 'estúpido' is a much stronger and more negative word. For 'silly', it's better to use 'tonto' or 'qué despistado soy' (how absent-minded I am).
⭐ Usage Tips
Use With Extreme Caution
This is not a friendly or playful word. Calling someone's idea or action 'estúpido' can be very insulting. It's much stronger than 'silly' and implies a serious lack of judgment or intelligence.
The noun form of 'estúpido' (stupid person) is visualized by a bewildered character wearing a dunce cap, representing an idiot or a fool.
estúpido(Noun)
stupid person
?a direct insult
idiot
?an unintelligent person
,fool
?someone who acts unwisely
📝 In Action
¡No seas un estúpido! Piensa en las consecuencias.
B2Don't be an idiot! Think about the consequences.
Ese político es un estúpido, no sabe nada.
B2That politician is a stupid person, he doesn't know anything.
La estúpida de mi jefa me culpó por su error.
C1My idiot boss (female) blamed me for her mistake.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender for People
When used to talk about a person, this word changes to match their gender. You would call a man 'un estúpido' and a woman 'una estúpida'.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Direct Insult
Calling someone 'un estúpido' or 'una estúpida' is a direct and aggressive insult. It's not used in polite conversation and is likely to start an argument.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: estúpido
Question 1 of 1
Which of these words is the mildest and closest to 'silly' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'estúpido' and 'tonto'?
'Estúpido' is a much stronger and more offensive word than 'tonto'. Think of 'tonto' as meaning 'silly' or 'foolish', which can sometimes be used playfully. 'Estúpido' means 'stupid' in a harsh, insulting way, implying a genuine lack of intelligence. Be very careful using 'estúpido'.
Is 'estúpido' a swear word?
It's not a swear word in the same way as words related to profanity, but it is a very strong and offensive insult. It's definitely not something you would say in a professional or polite setting.