Inklingo

How to Say "cunning" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “cunning” is “astuto” — use 'astuto' when describing someone or something as cleverly strategic, often in a way that involves trickery or achieving goals indirectly, like a clever animal or a shrewd negotiator..

astuto🔊B1

Use 'astuto' when describing someone or something as cleverly strategic, often in a way that involves trickery or achieving goals indirectly, like a clever animal or a shrewd negotiator.

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listo🔊A2

Use 'listo' to describe someone as clever, quick-witted, or shrewd, often implying intelligence and the ability to get out of tricky situations, similar to 'smart' or 'sharp'.

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pillo🔊A2

Choose 'pillo' for a playful or mischievous kind of cleverness, often used for children who are smart in a cheeky way or get into lighthearted trouble.

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sabido🔊B1

Use 'sabido' when referring to someone as shrewd or knowing, often with a negative implication that they are worldly-wise in a potentially deceitful or overly familiar way, or when something is widely known.

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latínC1

Use the noun 'latín' when describing someone as being extremely shrewd or sharp, implying a deep, perhaps cunning, understanding and difficulty in being deceived, similar to 'street smarts'.

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English → Spanish

astuto

ah-STOO-toh/asˈtuto/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'astuto' when describing someone or something as cleverly strategic, often in a way that involves trickery or achieving goals indirectly, like a clever animal or a shrewd negotiator.
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.

listo

/lees-toh//ˈlisto/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'listo' to describe someone as clever, quick-witted, or shrewd, often implying intelligence and the ability to get out of tricky situations, similar to 'smart' or 'sharp'.
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'.

pillo

PEE-yoh/ˈpiʎo/

AdjectiveA2Informal
Choose 'pillo' for a playful or mischievous kind of cleverness, often used for children who are smart in a cheeky way or get into lighthearted trouble.
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-doh/saˈβi.ðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'sabido' when referring to someone as shrewd or knowing, often with a negative implication that they are worldly-wise in a potentially deceitful or overly familiar way, or when something is widely known.
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.

latín

NounC1Informal
Use the noun 'latín' when describing someone as being extremely shrewd or sharp, implying a deep, perhaps cunning, understanding and difficulty in being deceived, similar to 'street smarts'.

Examples

Ten cuidado con ese vendedor, que sabe mucho latín.

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

Astuto vs. Listo

Learners often confuse 'astuto' and 'listo'. While both mean clever, 'astuto' leans towards strategic trickery or indirect methods, like a fox. 'Listo' is more about general intelligence and quick-wittedness, like being the 'smartest' in a group.

Related Translations

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