monstruos
/mohn-STROH-ohs/
monsters
Monstruos can refer to frightening creatures, like these colorful monsters.
monstruos(noun)
monsters
?Fictional or literal frightening creatures
,beasts
?Large, dangerous animals
bogeymen
?Used for childhood fears
📝 In Action
Los niños se asustaron con los monstruos de la película.
A2The children got scared by the monsters in the movie.
En la mitología griega hay muchos monstruos marinos.
B1In Greek mythology there are many sea monsters.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Form
This word is the masculine plural form of 'monstruo'. Since it ends in a vowel, you just add '-s' to make it plural.
⭐ Usage Tips
Masculine Noun
Remember to always use masculine articles and adjectives, even if you are talking about a female monster (e.g., 'los monstruos grandes').
When used to describe cruel people, monstruos translates to fiends or wicked individuals.
monstruos(noun)
fiends
?Cruel or wicked people
,brutes
?Inhumane people
evil-doers
?People who commit evil acts
📝 In Action
Esos criminales son unos monstruos, no tienen corazón.
B1Those criminals are fiends; they have no heart.
Los monstruos de la guerra causaron un daño irreparable.
C1The monsters of war caused irreparable damage.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning uses the idea of a physical monster to describe someone's terrible character or actions. It's a very strong insult.
Monstruos can also be used figuratively to mean whizzes—people with exceptional skill or talent.
monstruos(noun)
whizzes
?People with exceptional skill (e.g., math whizzes)
,geniuses
?Extremely talented individuals
titans
?Figures of great influence or size
📝 In Action
Esos programadores son unos monstruos, terminaron el código en una hora.
B2Those programmers are geniuses; they finished the code in an hour.
Los monstruos del fútbol se enfrentarán este fin de semana.
C1The titans of soccer will face off this weekend.
💡 Grammar Points
Positive/Negative Ambiguity
The context is key! If you are describing skill or size, 'monstruos' is a compliment. If you are describing behavior, it's an insult.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Misunderstanding Context
Mistake: "Thinking '¡Qué monstruos!' always means something bad."
Correction: If someone scores a goal and you yell '¡Qué monstruo!', you mean 'What a genius/amazing player!'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: monstruos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'monstruos' to express admiration?
📚 More Resources
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.