How to Say "brute" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “brute” is “bestia” — use 'bestia' when referring to a person who is extremely savage, crude, or animalistic in their behavior, often implying a lack of control.
bestia
BES-tyahˈbes.tja
Examples
No puedes dejarlo solo con los niños, ¡es una bestia!
You can't leave him alone with the children, he's a brute!
Se comportó como una bestia en la cena, sin modales.
He behaved like an idiot/savage at dinner, with no manners.
Gender Confusion
Mistake: “Usar 'un bestio' para un hombre.”
Correction: The word is always 'una bestia' (feminine), even when referring to a man who is acting like a brute or an idiot.
bruto
broo-tohˈbɾuto
Examples
Ese hombre es un bruto, no tiene modales.
That man is a brute, he has no manners.
patán
Examples
Ese patán no me pidió perdón después de empujarme.
That jerk didn't apologize after pushing me.
salvaje
sal-VA-hesalˈβaxe
Examples
Lo trataron como a un salvaje por no usar cubiertos.
They treated him like a savage for not using cutlery.
Los exploradores se encontraron con los salvajes de la tribu.
The explorers met the savages of the tribe.
Gender Change
When used as a noun, 'salvaje' must match the person's gender: 'un salvaje' (a male savage) or 'una salvaje' (a female savage).
despiadado
des-pyah-dah-dohdespjaˈðaðo
Examples
Ese hombre es un despiadado que no piensa en los demás.
That man is a ruthless person who doesn't think about others.
Solo un despiadado trataría así a un animal.
Only a heartless person would treat an animal that way.
La historia lo recordará como un despiadado.
History will remember him as a ruthless man.
The 'Noun' Switch
In Spanish, many adjectives like 'despiadado' can become nouns just by adding 'un' or 'el' in front of them.
monstruo
MOHN-stroh'monstɾwo
Examples
No puedo creer lo que toca; es un monstruo del piano.
I can't believe what he plays; he is a genius on the piano.
Su jefe es un monstruo que obliga a sus empleados a trabajar 70 horas a la semana.
His boss is a brute who forces his employees to work 70 hours a week.
Nuestra defensa fue un monstruo en el partido de hoy.
Our defense was monstrously good in today's game. (meaning: incredibly strong)
Using 'de'
When praising someone's skill, 'monstruo' is often followed by 'de' plus the activity: 'monstruo del ajedrez' (chess whiz).
Positive/Negative Context
Mistake: “Applying this meaning without clear context, confusing the listener whether you mean 'incredibly talented' or 'incredibly cruel.'”
Correction: Always pair it with a description of their action or field ('monstruo de la música,' 'monstruo de la avaricia') to clarify if you mean good or bad.
Bestia vs. Bruto
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