Inklingo

How to Say "brat" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “brat” is “crío” — use 'crío' when referring to a young child who is misbehaving or causing trouble, focusing on their youth and unruly actions.

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crío

nounA2informal
Use 'crío' when referring to a young child who is misbehaving or causing trouble, focusing on their youth and unruly actions.

Examples

Ese crío siempre está corriendo por la calle.

That kid is always running through the street.

mocoso

mo-KOH-sohmoˈkoso

nounB1informal
Choose 'mocoso' for a child who is both annoying and ill-mannered, often implying a younger child with a dirty nose, but used figuratively for any rude child.
A young child with a mischievous expression sticking their tongue out.

Examples

Ese mocoso me robó el asiento en el autobús.

That brat stole my seat on the bus.

No voy a dejar que un mocoso me diga qué hacer.

I'm not going to let some snot-nosed kid tell me what to do.

Using adjectives as nouns

In Spanish, words that describe things (adjectives) can easily become nouns just by adding 'the' (el/un) in front of them. 'Mocoso' literally means 'snotty,' but here it means 'a snotty person.'

Don't use with your boss

Mistake: “Calling a younger coworker 'mocoso' in a meeting.”

Correction: Use 'joven' or their name; 'mocoso' is usually seen as an insult or a very aggressive way to call someone immature.

insolente

in-so-LEN-tehin.so.ˈlen.te

nounB2
Use 'insolente' to describe a younger person who is being disrespectful or defiant, emphasizing their lack of manners and rude attitude.
A person with their feet on a dining table while another person looks upset.

Examples

¡Eres un insolente! No vuelvas a hablarme así.

You are a brat! Don't you ever speak to me like that again.

Aquel insolente no quiso pedir disculpas.

That rude person refused to apologize.

Es una insolente que no respeta a sus mayores.

She is a disrespectful person who doesn't respect her elders.

Adjective to Noun

In Spanish, you can turn many adjectives into nouns just by putting 'un' or 'una' (a) or 'el' or 'la' (the) in front of them. It's like saying 'the rude one'.

Matching the Article

Mistake: “El insolente (referring to a girl).”

Correction: La insolente. While the word 'insolente' doesn't change, the small word before it (the article) must match the person's gender.

pendejo

pen-DEH-hopenˈde.xo

nounC1colloquial
'Pendejo' is a stronger, more colloquial term for a foolish or immature person, often used for older children or young adults acting childishly.
A small child playing with a bright red toy car on a carpet.

Examples

Había un grupo de pendejos jugando fútbol en la calle.

There was a group of kids playing soccer in the street.

Ese pendejo cree que lo sabe todo.

That brat thinks he knows everything.

Regional Meaning Shift

In the 'Southern Cone' (South America), this word refers to age rather than intelligence.

Mixing up regions

Mistake: “Calling a child a 'pendejo' in Mexico thinking you are saying 'kid'.”

Correction: Only use this to mean 'kid' if you are in Argentina, Uruguay, or Peru. In Mexico, you would be insulting the child's intelligence.

Choosing between 'crío'/'mocoso' and 'insolente'/'pendejo'

Learners often confuse 'crío' and 'mocoso' with 'insolente' and 'pendejo'. Remember that 'crío' and 'mocoso' focus on the child's immaturity and general misbehavior, while 'insolente' and 'pendejo' specifically highlight disrespect and foolishness, respectively, and can apply to slightly older individuals.

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