idiota

/ee-dee-OH-tah/

idiot

A cartoon character attempting to hammer a nail into a wooden plank using a bright yellow banana instead of a hammer, looking utterly confused and foolish.

Visualizing the noun 'idiota': A person performing a foolish or stupid action.

idiota(Noun)

m/fB1

idiot

a foolish or stupid person

Also:

fool

moron

📝 In Action

¡No seas idiota! Cuidado con el coche.

Don't be an idiot! Watch out for the car.

Mi hermano a veces es un idiota, pero lo quiero.

My brother is an idiot sometimes, but I love him.

Word Connections

Synonyms

tonto (silly, fool)
estúpido (stupid)
imbécil (imbecile)

Antonyms

genio (genius)
inteligente (intelligent person)
listo (clever person)

Common Collocations

un completo idiota – a complete idiot
parecer un idiota – to look like an idiot

💡 Grammar Points

A Noun for Everyone

Unlike many Spanish nouns, 'idiota' can be used for both men and women. You just change the little word in front: 'el idiota' (for a male) and 'la idiota' (for a female).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using in the Wrong Situation

Mistake: "Using 'idiota' in a formal or professional setting, thinking it's a mild word."

Correction: This word is a strong insult. Save it for very informal situations, or when you're genuinely angry. Otherwise, it can be very offensive.

⭐ Usage Tips

Handle with Care

This is not a lighthearted word like 'silly'. Calling someone an 'idiota' is a direct and strong insult in most contexts. Think of it like calling someone an 'idiot' or 'moron' in English.

A brightly colored bicycle resting on a flat surface, but instead of round wheels, it has large, impractical square wooden wheels, representing a stupid design.

Visualizing the adjective 'idiota': Describing a plan or object as idiotic or poorly conceived.

idiota(Adjective)

m/fB1

idiotic

describing a thing or action

Also:

stupid

foolish

📝 In Action

Fue una decisión idiota vender el coche.

It was an idiotic decision to sell the car.

Me hizo una pregunta totalmente idiota.

He asked me a totally stupid question.

Word Connections

Synonyms

tonto (silly, dumb)
estúpido (stupid)
absurdo (absurd)

Antonyms

inteligente (intelligent)
brillante (brilliant)
sensato (sensible)

Common Collocations

una idea idiota – a stupid idea
un comentario idiota – an idiotic comment

💡 Grammar Points

An Adjective That Doesn't Change Its Ending

'Idiota' is special because its ending doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. It's always 'idiota'. For example: 'un plan idiota' (a stupid plan) and 'una idea idiota' (a stupid idea).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Trying to Make it Masculine

Mistake: "Quiso hacer un chiste idioto."

Correction: Say 'un chiste idiota'. The word 'idiota' always ends in '-a', even when it's describing a masculine noun.

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing Things vs. People

Using 'idiota' to describe a thing (like 'an idiotic plan') can sometimes feel slightly less harsh than calling a person 'an idiot' directly. It focuses on the action or idea, not the person's whole character.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: idiota

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

idiotez(idiocy, stupidity) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How offensive is the word 'idiota'?

It's quite offensive and should be used with caution. It's a direct insult, similar to 'idiot' or 'moron' in English. It's not a playful or lighthearted word, and using it can easily start an argument.

Is 'idiota' always masculine? Why does it end in '-a'?

No, it can refer to men or women. It's one of a group of words (many from Greek) that end in '-a' but can be masculine. You show the gender with the word before it: 'el idiota' for a male, and 'la idiota' for a female. When used as an adjective, it always stays 'idiota' regardless of the noun's gender.