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torpe

TORE-peh/ˈtoɾpe/

“torpe” means “clumsy” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

clumsy, awkward

Also: gauche
A storybook illustration of a child looking surprised as they accidentally drop a small stack of colorful books onto the floor, depicting physical awkwardness.

📝 In Action

Mi hermano es muy torpe y siempre rompe los vasos.

A2

My brother is very clumsy and always breaks the glasses.

Tiene unas manos torpes; no puede atarse los zapatos rápido.

B1

He has awkward hands; he can't tie his shoes quickly.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • patoso (clumsy (informal))
  • desmañado (unskillful)

Antonyms

  • hábil (skillful)
  • ágil (agile)

Common Collocations

  • ser torpe con las manos – to be clumsy with one's hands
  • movimiento torpe – awkward movement

dull, slow

Also: obtuse
A storybook illustration showing a character looking confused while holding a square block, struggling to place it in a matching square hole in a wooden toy, symbolizing being slow-witted.

📝 In Action

Es un poco torpe para entender las instrucciones complejas.

B1

He is a bit slow when it comes to understanding complex instructions.

¡Qué torpe eres! Te dije que era la respuesta B, no la C.

B2

How dull you are! I told you it was answer B, not C.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • mente torpe – dull mind
  • respuesta torpe – clumsy/awkward answer (socially)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "torpe" in Spanish:

awkward→clumsy→dull→gauche→obtuse→slow→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: torpe

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'torpe' to describe a lack of mental sharpness, rather than physical coordination?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
torpeza(clumsiness, awkwardness) — Noun
torpemente(clumsily, awkwardly) — Adverb
🎵 Rhymes▼
golpeestorbe
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin term *turpis*, which originally meant 'ugly,' 'shameful,' or 'base.' Over time, this negative connotation shifted in Spanish to describe someone lacking grace or physical/mental sharpness.

First recorded: Around the 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: torpeItalian (related root): turpe

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make 'torpe' plural?

Since 'torpe' ends in a vowel, you just add '-s' to make it plural, regardless of gender: 'los chicos torpes' (the clumsy boys) and 'las chicas torpes' (the clumsy girls).

Is 'torpe' considered a mean word?

It depends on the context. If you use it to describe an accidental physical mistake, it's usually harmless. If you use it to call someone 'dull' or 'stupid,' it is definitely offensive.