retorcido
“retorcido” means “twisted” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
twisted
Also: coiled, bent
📝 In Action
La rama del árbol está muy retorcida.
A2The tree branch is very twisted.
Tiramos los cables retorcidos a la basura.
B1We threw the twisted cables in the trash.
Después del accidente, el metal quedó retorcido.
B2After the accident, the metal was left mangled and twisted.
devious
Also: twisted, convoluted
📝 In Action
Tiene una mente muy retorcida.
B2He has a very twisted mind.
El villano ideó un plan retorcido para escapar.
B2The villain devised a devious plan to escape.
La trama de la película es demasiado retorcida.
C1The movie's plot is too convoluted.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: retorcido
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence describes a person with a dark or manipulative personality?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Spanish verb 'retorcer', which comes from the Latin 'retorquere'. The prefix 're-' emphasizes the action, and 'torquere' means 'to twist'.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'torcido' and 'retorcido'?
'Torcido' usually means something is just crooked or not straight (like a picture on a wall). 'Retorcido' implies it has been wound or twisted around itself (like a corkscrew or a mangled piece of metal).
Can 'retorcido' be used as a verb?
Technically, it is the 'past participle' of the verb 'retorcer'. It can be used to form perfect tenses (e.g., 'He retorcido el trapo' - I have wrung the cloth), but it is most commonly seen as an adjective.
Is 'retorcido' always an insult when describing a person?
Yes, usually. It suggests that the person is not straightforward, is manipulative, or has a dark way of thinking.