Inklingo

How to Say "dishonest" in Spanish

English → Spanish

corrupto

/ko-ROOP-toh//koˈrupto/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'corrupto' when referring to someone or something that acts with dishonesty for personal gain, especially in positions of power or public trust.
A person in a suit handing a heavy bag of gold coins to another person under a table.

Examples

El sistema está plagado de funcionarios corruptos.

The system is riddled with corrupt officials.

Muchos ciudadanos están cansados de los políticos corruptos.

Many citizens are tired of corrupt politicians.

Es difícil hacer negocios en un sistema corrupto.

It is difficult to do business in a corrupt system.

Gender Agreement

Since this is a describing word ending in 'o', it changes to 'corrupta' when talking about a woman or a feminine object, like 'una empresa corrupta'.

Corrupto vs. Corrompido

Mistake: “Using 'corrompido' to describe a person's character.”

Correction: Use 'corrupto' for people who take bribes. 'Corrompido' is more often used for things that have physically rotted or been ruined.

sucia

SOO-see-ah/ˈsu.sja/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'sucia' to describe actions or methods that are dishonest in the sense of being unfair, unethical, or underhanded, often in a competitive context.
A simplified, golden balance scale where one side is visibly being pushed down by a large, shadowy hand, indicating unfairness.

Examples

Ganó el debate con una táctica sucia y engañosa.

He won the debate with a dirty and deceitful tactic.

Ella ganó la elección con una campaña sucia, llena de mentiras.

She won the election with a dirty campaign, full of lies.

No me gusta su mente sucia; siempre hace chistes inapropiados.

I don't like her dirty mind; she always makes inappropriate jokes.

Figurative Use

When 'sucia' refers to moral corruption or vulgarity, it often describes abstract feminine nouns like 'guerra' (war), 'campaña' (campaign), or 'mente' (mind).

Corrupto vs. Sucio

Learners often confuse 'corrupto' and 'sucia' because both imply a lack of honesty. Remember that 'corrupto' typically applies to individuals or systems engaged in bribery or illicit gain, while 'sucia' describes unfair or unethical methods, often in competition.

Related Translations

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