indio
/IN-dyoh/
indigenous
Referring to something indigenous or the native peoples of the Americas.
indio(Adjective)
indigenous
?referring to the native peoples of the Americas
,Indian
?referring to things or people from India
Native American
?referring to the Americas (less common as a direct translation)
📝 In Action
Mi abuela tiene raíces indias y está orgullosa de su cultura.
B1My grandmother has indigenous roots and is proud of her culture.
Compramos té indio muy aromático en la tienda.
A2We bought very aromatic Indian tea at the store.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'indio' must match the thing it describes in number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine): 'chico indio' (indigenous boy), 'cultura india' (indigenous culture).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing India and the Americas
Mistake: "Using 'indio' without context and confusing people from India with indigenous people from Latin America."
Correction: Context is key. If referring to India, specify 'de la India' if needed for clarity. In many Latin American contexts, 'indígena' is often preferred for native peoples.
⭐ Usage Tips
Sensitivity Note
While historically correct, in many parts of the Americas, the term 'indígena' (indigenous) is often considered more respectful and politically correct than 'indio' when referring to native peoples.
Used as offensive slang meaning a foolish or stupid person (idiot).
indio(Noun)
idiot
?offensive slang meaning foolish or stupid person
silly person
?informal insult
,uncivilized person
?highly offensive historical context
📝 In Action
¡No seas indio! ¿Cómo se te ocurre hacer eso?
C1Don't be an idiot! How did you think of doing that?
Se portó como un indio en la reunión y ofendió a todos.
C2He behaved like an uncivilized person at the meeting and offended everyone.
💡 Grammar Points
Used as a Noun
In this informal usage, 'indio' acts as a noun describing a person. It changes gender/number: 'la india' (the stupid woman), 'los indios' (the stupid people).
⭐ Usage Tips
DO NOT USE THIS MEANING
This definition carries strong historical and racial connotations and is considered highly offensive and derogatory. Learners should only recognize this meaning to understand it if heard, never to use it.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: indio
Question 1 of 2
Which of these sentences uses 'indio' in a neutral, geographical sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'indio' always an offensive word?
No, but it is complicated. When referring to people or things from the country India, it is neutral. When referring to the native peoples of the Americas, it is historically accurate but often replaced by the more respectful 'indígena' (indigenous). However, in many regions, 'indio' is also used as a highly offensive insult meaning 'stupid' or 'uncultured,' and learners should avoid using it in that context entirely.
How do I say 'Native American' in Spanish?
The most common and preferred terms are 'indígena' (indigenous person) or 'pueblos originarios' (original peoples). If you need to be very specific, you might use 'amerindio' (Amerindian), but 'indígena' is the best general choice.