Inklingo

How to Say "cunning" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “cunning” is “listo” — use 'listo' when referring to someone who is generally smart, quick-witted, or shrewd in everyday situations, often implying they are the smartest in a group.

listo🔊A2

Use 'listo' when referring to someone who is generally smart, quick-witted, or shrewd in everyday situations, often implying they are the smartest in a group.

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astuto🔊B1

Choose 'astuto' for someone or something that is cunning in a way that involves trickery, slyness, or strategic indirectness to achieve a goal, often with a slightly negative or animalistic connotation.

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pillo🔊A2

Use 'pillo' for a cleverness that is playful, mischievous, and often associated with children who find ways to get into or out of things.

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sabido🔊B1

Employ 'sabido' when 'cunning' implies someone is shrewd and knows a lot, often with a slightly negative implication of being worldly-wise or even a bit sly in a way that might be disadvantageous to others.

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colmillo🔊B2

Use 'colmillo' to describe a specific, often professional, kind of shrewdness or cunning, particularly in business or negotiations, implying experience and street smarts.

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latínC1

Use 'latín' when 'cunning' refers to being exceptionally clever, shrewd, and difficult to deceive, often implying a deep understanding or a sharp, almost cunning, intellect.

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English → Spanish

listo

lees-tohˈlisto

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'listo' when referring to someone who is generally smart, quick-witted, or shrewd in everyday situations, often implying they are the smartest in a group.
A colorful illustration of a child successfully placing the final piece of a complex jigsaw puzzle, with a small, bright lightbulb illuminating above their head, symbolizing cleverness and intelligence.

Examples

Mi hermana es la más lista de la clase.

My sister is the smartest in the class.

Es un perro muy listo, aprende los trucos rápido.

He's a very smart dog, he learns tricks quickly.

Tienes que ser muy listo para resolver este problema.

You have to be very clever to solve this problem.

Always Use with 'Ser'

To describe someone as smart or clever, you must use the verb 'ser'. Think of 'smart' as a personality trait or a characteristic, and 'ser' is the verb for characteristics. For example, 'Ella es muy lista' (She is very smart).

Using 'Estar' Instead of 'Ser'

Mistake: “Mi profesor está muy listo.”

Correction: Mi profesor es muy listo. Saying 'está listo' means your teacher is 'ready' for something. To say he is an intelligent person, you must use 'ser'.

astuto

ah-STOO-tohasˈtuto

AdjectiveB1General
Choose 'astuto' for someone or something that is cunning in a way that involves trickery, slyness, or strategic indirectness to achieve a goal, often with a slightly negative or animalistic connotation.
A cunning fox wearing a small vest, sitting at a miniature wooden table with a chessboard, contemplating its next strategic move.

Examples

El zorro es un animal muy astuto.

The fox is a very cunning animal.

Ella es una negociadora astuta; siempre consigue el mejor precio.

She is a shrewd negotiator; she always gets the best price.

Necesitas ser astuto para ganar este juego de estrategia.

You need to be clever to win this strategy game.

Agreement is Key

As an adjective, 'astuto' must match the person or thing it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): astuto (m. sing.), astuta (f. sing.), astutos (m. plur.), astutas (f. plur).

Confusing Cleverness

Mistake: “Using 'astuto' when you just mean generally 'smart' (like good grades).”

Correction: Use 'inteligente' or 'listo' for general smartness. 'Astuto' implies a specific, often strategic or crafty type of cleverness.

pillo

PEE-yohˈpiʎo

AdjectiveA2Informal
Use 'pillo' for a cleverness that is playful, mischievous, and often associated with children who find ways to get into or out of things.
A young child with bright eyes and a mischievous smile peeking out from behind a bright blue curtain, holding a single wrapped piece of candy.

Examples

Mi hijo es muy pillo; siempre encuentra dónde escondí los dulces.

My son is very mischievous; he always finds where I hid the candy.

¡Qué pillo eres! Me engañaste con esa broma.

What a cheeky person you are! You fooled me with that joke.

Gender and Number

Like many Spanish adjectives, 'pillo' must match the person or thing it describes: 'pillo' (masculine singular), 'pilla' (feminine singular), 'pillos' (masculine plural), 'pillas' (feminine plural).

sabido

sah-BEE-dohsaˈβi.ðo

AdjectiveB1General
Employ 'sabido' when 'cunning' implies someone is shrewd and knows a lot, often with a slightly negative implication of being worldly-wise or even a bit sly in a way that might be disadvantageous to others.
A bright yellow announcement poster displayed prominently on a wooden bulletin board in a sunny town square. Several small, simple figures are standing around the bulletin board looking up at the poster.

Examples

Ese es un hecho muy sabido por todos en la oficina.

That is a very well-known fact by everyone in the office.

Dicen que el nuevo jefe es muy sabido y no se le escapa nada.

They say the new boss is very cunning, and nothing gets past him.

La respuesta ya era sabida por la audiencia.

The answer was already known by the audience.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'sabido' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): sabido (m. sing.), sabida (f. sing.), sabidos (m. plural), sabidas (f. plural).

Confusing 'Known' Meanings

Mistake: “Using 'sabido' to mean 'a person I know well' (e.g., *un amigo sabido*).”

Correction: Use 'conocido' for 'acquaintance' or 'familiar person.' 'Sabido' usually refers to facts or shrewd character traits.

colmillo

kol-mee-yokolˈmiʝo

NounB2Informal/Professional
Use 'colmillo' to describe a specific, often professional, kind of shrewdness or cunning, particularly in business or negotiations, implying experience and street smarts.
An old, wise fox wearing glasses and a scarf, looking very experienced.

Examples

Ese abogado tiene mucho colmillo para los negocios.

That lawyer has a lot of savvy for business.

No es fácil engañarla; ella tiene colmillo retorcido.

It's not easy to trick her; she is very shrewd and experienced.

Necesitas más colmillo si quieres ganar esta negociación.

You need more street-smarts if you want to win this negotiation.

Using 'Colmillo' as a Quality

When used figuratively, 'colmillo' behaves like the English word 'wisdom' or 'experience.' You 'have' it (tener colmillo).

Literal Translation

Mistake: “Él tiene mucha sabiduría de calle.”

Correction: Él tiene mucho colmillo.

latín

NounC1Informal
Use 'latín' when 'cunning' refers to being exceptionally clever, shrewd, and difficult to deceive, often implying a deep understanding or a sharp, almost cunning, intellect.

Examples

Ten cuidado con ese vendedor, que sabe mucho latín.

Be careful with that salesman; he's very sharp/shrewd.

Choosing Between 'Listo' and 'Astuto'

Learners often confuse 'listo' and 'astuto'. Remember 'listo' is more about general intelligence and being quick-witted (like the smartest in class), while 'astuto' implies a more strategic, sly, or even tricky cleverness, often used for animals or cunning people.

Related Translations

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