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necio

NEH-syoh/ˈnesjo/

foolish

Also: silly, ignorant
Spain
A person trying to water a plant with an empty watering can while standing in the rain.

📝 In Action

No seas necio, sabes que eso no es verdad.

A2

Don't be foolish, you know that isn't true.

Fue una pregunta necia y nadie quiso responder.

B1

It was a silly question and nobody wanted to answer.

A veces los jóvenes cometen errores necios por falta de experiencia.

B2

Sometimes young people make foolish mistakes due to lack of experience.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tonto (dumb/silly)
  • insensato (senseless)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • pregunta necia – silly question
  • comportamiento necio – foolish behavior

Idioms & Expressions

  • A palabras necias, oídos sordos – Don't pay attention to people talking nonsense or insults.

stubborn

Also: pig-headed, persistent
MexicoColombia
A stubborn donkey sitting down in the middle of a path, refusing to move while a person gently pulls on its lead.

📝 In Action

Mi hijo se puso necio y no quiso comer sus verduras.

A2

My son got stubborn and didn't want to eat his vegetables.

No te pongas necia, acepta que cometiste un error.

B1

Don't get stubborn, admit that you made a mistake.

Es tan necio que prefiere perder el trabajo antes que pedir disculpas.

B2

He is so stubborn that he prefers to lose his job rather than apologize.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • flexible (flexible)
  • dócil (docile/easy-going)

Common Collocations

  • ponerse necio – to get/become stubborn
  • empeño necio – stubborn insistence

fool

Also: stubborn person
NounmB2informal
A person wearing a colorful jester hat with bells, tripping over their own shoelaces.

📝 In Action

No discutas con un necio, te bajará a su nivel.

B2

Don't argue with a fool, he will bring you down to his level.

Ese necio no entiende razones.

B1

That stubborn man doesn't listen to reason.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • mentecato (fool/idiot)

Antonyms

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: necio

Question 1 of 3

If someone is 'estar necio' in Mexico, what are they likely doing?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
necedad(foolishness/nonsense) — Noun
neciamente(foolishly/stubbornly) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'nescius', which meant 'ignorant' or 'not knowing'. It is built from 'ne-' (not) and 'scire' (to know). Over time, the meaning shifted from simply 'not knowing' to 'acting foolishly despite knowing better' or 'being stubborn'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: nescient (rare word meaning ignorant)Portuguese: néscio

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'necio' a very offensive word?

It depends on the tone. It is less offensive than words like 'estúpido' or 'idiota'. It's more like calling someone 'silly' or 'pig-headed'. However, it is still a criticism.

Can I use 'necio' for a broken machine?

Not usually. 'Necio' is almost always used for people or their actions. For a stubborn machine, you might use 'trabado' (stuck) or 'no funciona'.

Is it the same as 'terco'?

They are very close! 'Terco' specifically means stubborn. 'Necio' can mean stubborn, but it also carries a hint of being foolish or annoying.