Inklingo

How to Say "clumsy" in Spanish

English → Spanish

torpe

TORE-peh/ˈtoɾpe/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'torpe' when referring to someone who is generally physically awkward and prone to dropping things or stumbling.
A storybook illustration of a child looking surprised as they accidentally drop a small stack of colorful books onto the floor, depicting physical awkwardness.

Examples

Mi hermano es muy torpe y siempre rompe los vasos.

My brother is very clumsy and always breaks the glasses.

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

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

Adjectives Ending in -e

Since 'torpe' ends in -e, it is the same form whether you are describing a masculine or feminine person or thing: 'el chico torpe' (the clumsy boy) or 'la chica torpe' (the clumsy girl).

Using 'ser' vs. 'estar'

Mistake: “Estar torpe (meaning temporarily clumsy or feeling unwell).”

Correction: Use 'Ser torpe' to describe someone's permanent characteristic (they are a clumsy person). Use 'Estar torpe' only if they are temporarily clumsy due to tiredness or illness.

bruto

/broo-toh//ˈbɾuto/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'bruto' when the clumsiness involves applying too much force or being rough, potentially causing damage.
A simple drawing of a thick, rough-hewn piece of unpolished grey stone.

Examples

No seas tan bruto, vas a romper el juguete.

Don't be so rough, you're going to break the toy.

¡Qué bruto soy! Olvidé las llaves adentro.

How stupid of me! I left the keys inside.

Changing for Gender

Remember to change the ending to 'bruta' if you are describing a woman or a feminine object.

Bruto vs. Grosero

Mistake: “Using 'bruto' to mean 'rude' in a polite sense.”

Correction: Use 'bruto' for someone who is rough or clumsy; use 'grosero' if they are being mean or impolite with words.

animal

/a-ni-'mal//a.niˈmal/

AdjectiveB2Informal
Use 'animal' informally to describe someone's extremely clumsy or thoughtless action, often implying a lack of attention.
A simple illustration of a person stumbling and dropping several boxes, showing clumsiness.

Examples

¡Qué animal! Rompió el jarrón por no mirar.

How clumsy (or 'what an idiot')! He broke the vase because he wasn't looking.

Este conductor es muy animal, va a 140 km/h en la ciudad.

This driver is very reckless, he’s going 140 km/h in the city.

Informal Adjective Use

When used this way, animal is often used as a descriptive noun/adjective that usually means 'reckless person' or 'oaf' and is applied directly to the person being criticized.

Using the literal meaning

Mistake: “Un policía le dijo que era un animal (expecting him to be literally a non-human creature).”

Correction: This is almost always hyperbole, meaning the person is acting wildly or irresponsibly, not that they are literally a beast.

tronco

/TRON-ko//ˈtɾoŋko/

AdjectiveB2Informal
Use 'tronco' specifically when someone is clumsy or uncoordinated in activities like dancing or sports.
A person tripping over their own feet while trying to dance.

Examples

No puedo bailar salsa, soy un poco tronco.

I can't dance salsa, I'm a bit clumsy.

Describing yourself

Mistake: “Using 'estar' to mean you are naturally clumsy.”

Correction: Use 'ser' (e.g., 'soy un tronco') because you are describing a characteristic of your personality or ability.

Torpe vs. Bruto

Learners often confuse 'torpe' and 'bruto'. Remember that 'torpe' describes general physical awkwardness, while 'bruto' specifically relates to excessive force. If someone is just dropping things, use 'torpe'; if they're breaking things by being too rough, use 'bruto'.

Related Translations

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