tarado
“tarado” means “stupid” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
stupid
Also: crazy, idiotic
📝 In Action
¡Qué tarado soy! Me olvidé las llaves adentro.
B1I'm so stupid! I forgot my keys inside.
No seas tarado, no puedes saltar desde ahí.
B1Don't be an idiot, you can't jump from there.
Ese plan es totalmente tarado.
B2That plan is totally idiotic.
idiot
Also: moron, jerk
📝 In Action
Ese tarado casi choca mi auto.
B1That idiot almost hit my car.
No escuches a ese tarada.
B1Don't listen to that idiot (female).
Vino un tarado y se llevó mi silla.
B2Some jerk came and took my chair.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tarado
Question 1 of 3
Which of these would you say if you accidentally dropped your phone?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes from 'tara,' which means a physical defect or the weight of a container that is subtracted from the total weight. Over time, it began to be used to describe people with 'defects' in their thinking or behavior.
First recorded: 19th century (slang usage)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tarado' a bad word?
It is an insult, but it's generally considered 'mild' slang compared to stronger swear words. However, it can still be very offensive if said to a stranger.
What is the difference between 'tonto' and 'tarado'?
'Tonto' is like saying 'silly' or 'dumb' and is safe for kids. 'Tarado' is stronger, more informal, and sounds more like 'idiot' or 'crazy person.'
Does it have anything to do with weights and scales?
Technically, yes! The root word 'tara' is used in logistics to describe the empty weight of a truck or container. But when you call someone 'tarado,' you aren't talking about scales!