tonto
/TON-toh/
silly
As an adjective, tonto means silly or foolish, often describing a harmless mistake or action.
tonto(Adjective)
silly
?Playful, not serious
,foolish
?Lacking good sense or judgment
dumb
?Lacking intelligence (can be harsh)
,stupid
?Often stronger and more insulting than 'tonto'
📝 In Action
Fue una broma tonta, pero todos nos reímos.
A2It was a silly joke, but we all laughed.
No seas tonto, claro que puedes hacerlo.
A2Don't be silly, of course you can do it.
Me siento tonta por haber olvidado las llaves.
B1I feel foolish for having forgotten the keys.
💡 Grammar Points
Matching the Noun
Like many describing words in Spanish, 'tonto' changes to match the person or thing it's describing. Use 'tonto' for masculine things ('el niño tonto') and 'tonta' for feminine things ('la idea tonta'). For groups, use 'tontos' or 'tontas'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting to Change the Ending
Mistake: "La chica es tonto."
Correction: Say 'La chica es tonta.' Describing words almost always need to match the gender (masculine/feminine) of the noun they describe.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone is Everything
'Tonto' can be a lighthearted, affectionate way to call someone 'silly'. For example, '¡Ay, tonto, me asustaste!' (Oh, you silly thing, you scared me!). But the same word said with an angry tone can be a serious insult.
When used as a noun, tonto refers directly to a person who is a fool or simpleton.
tonto(Noun)
fool
?A person who acts unwisely
,idiot
?A stupid person (can be very offensive)
dummy
?A silly or stupid person
,simpleton
?A foolish or gullible person
📝 In Action
No le hagas caso, es un tonto.
B1Don't pay attention to him, he's a fool.
¡Eres una tonta si crees esa mentira!
B1You're an idiot if you believe that lie!
El tonto del pueblo siempre contaba las mismas historias.
B2The village idiot always told the same stories.
💡 Grammar Points
Used as a Label
When you use 'tonto' as a noun, you are directly calling someone a fool. It's often preceded by 'un' or 'el' (e.g., 'Es un tonto'). Remember to use 'una tonta' or 'la tonta' for a female.
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with Caution
Calling someone 'un tonto' is much stronger and more direct than describing their action as 'tonta'. It's a personal label and can easily cause offense, so be careful how you use it.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tonto
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'tonto' as a playful, affectionate term?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'tonto' always an insult?
Not at all! It's all about tone and context. Between friends or loved ones, calling someone 'tonto' or 'tonta' can be a playful and affectionate way to say 'you're being silly'. However, if said with anger or in a serious situation, it is definitely an insult, similar to calling someone 'stupid' or an 'idiot'.
What's the difference between 'ser tonto' and 'estar tonto'?
'Ser tonto' describes a permanent characteristic, like saying someone *is* a foolish person in general. 'Estar tonto' describes a temporary state, like saying someone is *acting* foolish or silly right now. For example, 'Hoy estoy un poco tonto, no me puedo concentrar' (I'm being a bit silly today, I can't concentrate).