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How to Say "bastard" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “bastard” is “bastardo” — use 'bastardo' when referring to someone born out of wedlock, especially in historical or literary contexts, or as a general, less aggressive term for a mean person.

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bastardo

bahs-TAHR-dohbasˈtardo

nounB2general
Use 'bastardo' when referring to someone born out of wedlock, especially in historical or literary contexts, or as a general, less aggressive term for a mean person.
A small child sitting alone on a wooden bench in a garden, looking thoughtful.

Examples

En las novelas antiguas, el hijo bastardo luchaba por su herencia.

In old novels, the bastard son fought for his inheritance.

El rey reconoció a su hijo bastardo ante toda la corte.

The king recognized his illegitimate son before the entire court.

No es un insulto aquí, simplemente describe su origen familiar.

It is not an insult here; it simply describes his family origin.

¡Ese bastardo me robó los ahorros de toda mi vida!

That bastard stole my entire life savings!

Gender Changes

To talk about a female, just change the 'o' at the end to an 'a': 'bastarda'.

Describing People

When used to describe someone's birth, it often comes after the word 'hijo' (son) or 'hija' (daughter).

Used as an Exclamation

In Spanish, you can use '¡Bastardo!' alone as a shout to express anger at someone's actions.

Avoid Casual Use

Mistake: “Calling a friend's child 'bastardo' as a joke.”

Correction: Use neutral terms like 'hijo' or 'pequeño' unless the context is strictly historical.

Very High Intensity

Mistake: “Using 'bastardo' with a friend as a light joke.”

Correction: Use 'tío' or 'amigo' for friends; 'bastardo' can start a real fight.

cabrón

nounC1vulgar
Choose 'cabrón' as a very strong, aggressive insult directed at a man, implying he is a jerk or a scoundrel.

Examples

Ese cabrón me robó la idea.

That jerk stole my idea.

desgraciado

dess-grah-SYAH-dohdes.ɣɾaˈsja.ðo

nounC1strong insult
Use 'desgraciado' as a strong derogatory term for someone who has wronged you, emphasizing their unfortunate or wicked nature.
A simplistic, shadowy figure with a shifty expression quickly walking away while holding a small, stolen pouch behind their back, symbolizing a scoundrel.

Examples

¡Ese desgraciado me mintió sobre el trato y se quedó con todo!

That scoundrel lied to me about the deal and kept everything!

No le hables, es un desgraciado que solo busca aprovecharse de la gente.

Don't talk to him, he's a despicable person who only looks to take advantage of people.

Used as a Noun

In this context, 'desgraciado' acts as a name for a person, so it usually needs an article before it (el desgraciado, un desgraciado).

jodido

ho-DEE-dohxoˈðiðo

nounC1vulgar
Employ 'jodido' to describe a mean, annoying, or troublesome person who consistently causes problems.
A colorful storybook illustration of a grumpy person with a mean expression pulling a chair away from someone about to sit down.

Examples

Ese tipo es un jodido; siempre me mete en líos.

That guy is a bastard; he's always getting me into trouble.

No seas jodido y devuélveme el libro.

Don't be a jerk and give me back the book.

Acting as a Noun

To turn 'jodido' into a noun (a person), just put 'un' or 'una' in front of it.

perro

PEH-rroh'pero

nounB2strong insult
Use 'perro' as a strong insult for someone untrustworthy or treacherous, akin to calling them a 'dog' or a scoundrel.
A cartoonish man with a sly, untrustworthy expression, wearing a dark coat and looking over his shoulder conspiratorially, symbolizing deceit or a despicable character.

Examples

No confíes en él, es un perro.

Don't trust him, he's a dog/jerk.

¡Qué perro! Me mintió todo el tiempo.

What a dog! He lied to me the whole time.

Using the Feminine Form 'Perra'

Mistake: “Thinking 'perra' is a simple equivalent insult for a woman.”

Correction: Be extremely careful. While 'perro' is a strong insult for a man, 'perra' is a much more offensive and vulgar insult for a woman, often with strong sexual connotations. It's best to avoid using it entirely.

Insult vs. Literal Meaning

Learners often confuse the literal meaning of 'bastardo' (illegitimate birth) with its use as an insult. Remember that 'cabrón', 'desgraciado', 'jodido', and 'perro' are primarily used as strong insults, often carrying more aggression than 'bastardo' when used figuratively.

Related Translations

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