insulto
/een-SOOL-toh/
insult
A person using a word or action to offend someone.
insulto(noun)
insult
?a word or action meant to offend
slur
?a damaging remark or specific offensive term
,offense
?the act of upsetting someone
📝 In Action
Él me lanzó un insulto muy feo.
A2He threw a very ugly insult at me.
No tolero ningún tipo de insulto en mi casa.
B1I don't tolerate any kind of insult in my house.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender of 'insulto'
This is a masculine 'naming word' (noun), so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el insulto'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the wrong action word
Mistake: "Hacer un insulto."
Correction: Decir or proferir un insulto.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Insults
To say an insult was 'hurled' or 'thrown,' Spanish speakers often use the verb 'lanzar' (to throw).
The current action of being offensive to someone.
📝 In Action
Yo nunca insulto a nadie.
A2I never insult anyone.
A veces insulto sin querer cuando estoy enojado.
B1Sometimes I insult without meaning to when I am angry.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Personal A'
When you use the verb form to say you are insulting a person, you must use the word 'a' before their name or the word for the person. For example: 'Insulto a mi jefe' (I insult my boss).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing the noun and the 'I' form
Mistake: "Un insulto a él."
Correction: Le insulto a él (or) Es un insulto para él.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: insulto
Question 1 of 1
Which of these sentences uses 'insulto' as a naming word (noun)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'insulto' the same as a 'swear word'?
Not exactly. A 'swear word' is usually called 'una grosería' or 'una palabrota'. An 'insulto' is specifically aimed at attacking or offending someone's character.
How do I know if 'insulto' is the verb or the noun?
Look at the words around it! If it's after 'el' or 'un' (like 'el insulto'), it's a noun. If it follows 'yo' or is the main action of the sentence (like 'Yo insulto'), it's a verb.