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monstruos

mohn-STROH-ohsˈmons.tɾwos

monsters, beasts

Also: bogeymen
NounmA2
A colorful illustration showing three different cartoonish monsters, one green, one purple, and one blue, standing happily in a grassy field.

📝 In Action

Los niños se asustaron con los monstruos de la película.

A2

The children got scared by the monsters in the movie.

En la mitología griega hay muchos monstruos marinos.

B1

In Greek mythology there are many sea monsters.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • monstruos de ficción – fictional monsters
  • cazar monstruos – to hunt monsters

fiends, brutes

Also: evil-doers
NounmB1
A simple storybook illustration of a menacing figure with a dark, wicked expression standing alone on a dark, slightly shadowed hill.

📝 In Action

Esos criminales son unos monstruos, no tienen corazón.

B1

Those criminals are fiends; they have no heart.

Los monstruos de la guerra causaron un daño irreparable.

C1

The monsters of war caused irreparable damage.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • villanos (villains)
  • malvados (wicked people)

Antonyms

whizzes, geniuses

Also: titans
NounmB2informal
A cheerful illustration of a young person effortlessly juggling three brightly colored, abstract geometric shapes, symbolizing intellectual skill.

📝 In Action

Esos programadores son unos monstruos, terminaron el código en una hora.

B2

Those programmers are geniuses; they finished the code in an hour.

Los monstruos del fútbol se enfrentarán este fin de semana.

C1

The titans of soccer will face off this weekend.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • genios (geniuses)
  • cracks (aces/experts (informal))

Common Collocations

  • monstruos de la naturaleza – wonders of nature (often used for very large/impressive things)

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: monstruos

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'monstruos' to express admiration?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
rostroscostos
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes directly from the Latin word 'monstrum,' which originally meant 'omen,' 'divine warning,' or 'portent.' Later, it evolved to mean 'an unnatural event' or 'a monster' because strange creatures were seen as warnings from the gods.

First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

English: monsterFrench: monstreItalian: mostro

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'monstruos' always a masculine word?

Yes. Even if you are talking about a group of female monsters or a metaphorical female 'monster' of talent, the noun 'monstruo' is always masculine, so you use 'los monstruos' or 'unos monstruos'.

How can I tell if 'monstruos' is a compliment or an insult?

Look at the context. If it's related to talent, skill, or size (e.g., 'el monstruo del ajedrez'), it’s a compliment. If it's related to behavior, cruelty, or appearance, it's usually negative or literal.