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travieso

trah-bee-EH-soh/tɾaˈβjeso/

“travieso” means “mischievous” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

mischievous

Also: naughty, playful
A small puppy sitting on a colorful rug with a single sneaker in its mouth, looking playful.

📝 In Action

El niño es muy travieso y siempre esconde mis zapatos.

A1

The boy is very mischievous and always hides my shoes.

Tengo un gatito travieso que juega con las cortinas.

A2

I have a playful kitten that plays with the curtains.

No seas travieso, siéntate y come tu cena.

B1

Don't be naughty, sit down and eat your dinner.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • niño travieso – mischievous child
  • mirada traviesa – mischievous look
  • cachorro travieso – playful puppy

naughty

Also: cheeky
AdjectivemB2informal
A person with a playful expression, winking one eye and holding a finger to their lips in a secret gesture.

📝 In Action

Me lanzó una sonrisa traviesa antes de salir.

B1

She gave me a naughty smile before leaving.

Sus comentarios traviesos hicieron que todos se rieran.

B2

His cheeky comments made everyone laugh.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • picarón (roguish/flirty)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • sonrisa traviesa – naughty smile
  • comentario travieso – cheeky remark

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "travieso" in Spanish:

cheeky→mischievous→naughty→playful→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: travieso

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence describes a child who is naturally playful?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
travesura(prank/mischief) — Noun
traviesamente(mischievously) — Adverb
travesear(to play around/fidget) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'traversus', meaning 'turned across' or 'sideways'. It originally referred to something that was placed crosswise, eventually evolving to describe someone who 'crosses the line' or acts out of turn in a playful way.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: traverseFrench: travers

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'travieso' a bad word?

No! It is actually quite lighthearted. It's used for children who are energetic or pets that are playful. It’s more like 'rascal' than 'bad person.'

Can I use 'travieso' for adults?

Yes, but it changes the meaning slightly to 'cheeky' or 'flirty.' Use it with friends or partners rather than in a business meeting.

What's the difference between 'travieso' and 'inquieto'?

'Inquieto' means someone who can't sit still (restless). 'Travieso' means someone who is actively looking for a little bit of trouble or fun.