imbécil
“imbécil” means “stupid” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
stupid
Also: idiotic
📝 In Action
Fue una idea imbécil salir sin paraguas.
B1It was a stupid idea to go out without an umbrella.
No seas imbécil y termina tu tarea.
B1Don't be idiotic and finish your homework.
Ese comentario me pareció bastante imbécil.
B2I thought that comment was quite stupid.
idiot
Also: fool
📝 In Action
Ese imbécil me robó el asiento.
B1That idiot stole my seat.
No le hagas caso, es un imbécil.
A2Don't pay attention to him, he's an idiot.
La imbécil de mi jefa no sabe qué hacer.
B2My idiot of a boss doesn't know what to do.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: imbécil
Question 1 of 3
If you want to call a woman an idiot using this word, what should you say?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'imbecillis', which actually meant 'weak' or 'fragile'. Originally, it described someone who didn't have a staff (bacillum) for support, meaning they were physically weak. Over time, the meaning shifted from physical weakness to mental weakness.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'imbécil' a swear word?
It is not a 'curse word' in the way vulgarities are, but it is a strong insult. It is much more offensive than calling someone 'silly' (tonto).
Can I use it to describe a situation?
Yes, you can use it as an adjective to describe an action or a decision that was very poorly thought out, like 'una situación imbécil'.
Is it the same as the English word 'imbecile'?
Yes, they are cognates and share the same origin, but in Spanish, 'imbécil' is used much more frequently in everyday arguments than the English version.