Inklingo

How to Say "idiot" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “idiot” is “idiota” — this is the most direct and common translation for 'idiot', suitable for most informal situations when you want to call someone foolish or stupid without being overly aggressive..

idiota🔊B1

This is the most direct and common translation for 'idiot', suitable for most informal situations when you want to call someone foolish or stupid without being overly aggressive.

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tonto🔊B1

Use 'tonto' for a less intense insult, often implying silliness or a lack of intelligence. It can range from playful teasing to a more serious insult depending on tone and context.

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burro🔊B1

This term implies stubbornness and a lack of intelligence, like a donkey. It's a common, informal way to call someone stupid, especially if they are slow to understand.

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estúpidoB2

A stronger and more direct insult than 'tonto' or 'idiota', 'estúpido' clearly labels someone as unintelligent and is generally considered more offensive.

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cretino🔊B1

This word implies someone is foolish and perhaps morally lacking. It's a strong insult, often used for someone who has done something particularly unwise or offensive.

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pavo🔊B1

A milder, more colloquial insult, 'pavo' suggests someone is acting foolishly or is perhaps a bit clueless, like a turkey.

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payaso🔊B1

Literally meaning 'clown', this insult is used when someone is acting foolishly, not seriously, or is being disruptive.

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bestia🔊B1

This term implies someone is acting like an animal – brutish, unintelligent, and perhaps aggressive. It's a strong insult suggesting a lack of civility and intellect.

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retrasado🔊C1

This is a highly offensive term, directly implying mental deficiency. Use with extreme caution, as it is considered a slur and is very insulting.

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indio🔊C1

This is offensive slang, often carrying racist connotations, used to call someone foolish or stupid. It is highly inappropriate in most contexts.

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English → Spanish

idiota

/ee-dee-OH-tah//iˈðjota/

nounB1informal
This is the most direct and common translation for 'idiot', suitable for most informal situations when you want to call someone foolish or stupid without being overly aggressive.
A cartoon character attempting to hammer a nail into a wooden plank using a bright yellow banana instead of a hammer, looking utterly confused and foolish.

Examples

¡No seas idiota! Cuidado con el coche.

Don't be an idiot! Watch out for the car.

Mi hermano a veces es un idiota, pero lo quiero.

My brother is an idiot sometimes, but I love him.

A Noun for Everyone

Unlike many Spanish nouns, 'idiota' can be used for both men and women. You just change the little word in front: 'el idiota' (for a male) and 'la idiota' (for a female).

Using in the Wrong Situation

Mistake: “Using 'idiota' in a formal or professional setting, thinking it's a mild word.”

Correction: This word is a strong insult. Save it for very informal situations, or when you're genuinely angry. Otherwise, it can be very offensive.

tonto

/TON-toh//ˈtonto/

nounB1informal
Use 'tonto' for a less intense insult, often implying silliness or a lack of intelligence. It can range from playful teasing to a more serious insult depending on tone and context.
A male character wearing a metal cooking pot upside down on his head instead of a hat, looking utterly confused and foolish.

Examples

No le hagas caso, es un tonto.

Don't pay attention to him, he's a fool.

¡Eres una tonta si crees esa mentira!

You're an idiot if you believe that lie!

El tonto del pueblo siempre contaba las mismas historias.

The village idiot always told the same stories.

Used as a Label

When you use 'tonto' as a noun, you are directly calling someone a fool. It's often preceded by 'un' or 'el' (e.g., 'Es un tonto'). Remember to use 'una tonta' or 'la tonta' for a female.

burro

/BOO-rroh//ˈbu.ro/

nounB1informal
This term implies stubbornness and a lack of intelligence, like a donkey. It's a common, informal way to call someone stupid, especially if they are slow to understand.
A simple illustration of a person with a very confused expression holding a large square wooden block next to a small round hole, symbolizing a lack of intelligence.

Examples

¡Qué burro eres! ¿Cómo pudiste olvidar las llaves otra vez?

You idiot! How could you forget the keys again?

Ese examen era muy difícil, solo un burro lo suspendería.

That exam was very difficult, only a dummy would fail it.

Using 'Ser'

Use the verb 'ser' (to be) when calling someone this name: 'Eres un burro' (You are an idiot).

estúpido

nounB2informal
A stronger and more direct insult than 'tonto' or 'idiota', 'estúpido' clearly labels someone as unintelligent and is generally considered more offensive.

Examples

¡No seas un estúpido! Piensa en las consecuencias.

Don't be an idiot! Think about the consequences.

cretino

/kreh-TEE-noh//kɾeˈtino/

nounB1informal
This word implies someone is foolish and perhaps morally lacking. It's a strong insult, often used for someone who has done something particularly unwise or offensive.
A cartoon figure looking puzzled while holding a banana up to their ear as if it were a phone receiver.

Examples

Ese cretino olvidó apagar las luces otra vez.

That idiot forgot to turn off the lights again.

No seas cretina y piensa antes de hablar.

Don't be an idiot (f.) and think before you speak.

Gender Matching

Like many nouns that describe people, 'cretino' changes based on the person's gender: 'el cretino' (male) or 'la cretina' (female).

pavo

/PAH-voh//ˈpaβo/

nounB1informal
A milder, more colloquial insult, 'pavo' suggests someone is acting foolishly or is perhaps a bit clueless, like a turkey.
A person with a confused expression wearing a metal cooking pot upside down on their head like a hat.

Examples

¡Qué pavo eres! ¿Cómo se te ocurrió hacer eso?

What an idiot you are! How did it occur to you to do that?

Mi hermano es un poco pavo cuando intenta hablar con chicas.

My brother is a bit clueless/awkward when he tries to talk to girls.

Using 'Pavo' as an Adjective

This word can also be used as an adjective (a describing word) meaning 'silly' or 'awkward.' Example: 'Está un poco pavo' (He is a bit awkward).

Gender Agreement

Mistake: “Using 'el pavo' to refer to a silly girl.”

Correction: When referring to a silly female, you must use the feminine form: 'Ella es una pava' (She is a silly girl).

payaso

/pah-YAH-soh//paˈʝa.so/

nounB1informal
Literally meaning 'clown', this insult is used when someone is acting foolishly, not seriously, or is being disruptive.
A person wearing mismatched, brightly colored clothes, making a dramatically silly face and sticking out their tongue, illustrating foolish behavior.

Examples

No seas payaso y compórtate seriamente.

Don't be a clown (a fool) and behave seriously.

Mi hermano es un payaso; siempre está haciendo chistes malos.

My brother is a joker; he's always telling bad jokes.

Acting as an Adjective

While technically a noun, 'payaso' is often used descriptively, just like an adjective: 'Eres un payaso' (You are a fool).

Using 'Payaso' vs. 'Tonto'

Mistake: “Using 'payaso' for someone who is genuinely unintelligent.”

Correction: 'Payaso' usually implies deliberate silliness or foolish behavior. If someone lacks intelligence, 'tonto' or 'estúpido' are more appropriate, though harsher.

bestia

/BES-tyah//ˈbes.tja/

nounB1informal
This term implies someone is acting like an animal – brutish, unintelligent, and perhaps aggressive. It's a strong insult suggesting a lack of civility and intellect.
A confused character attempting to eat a bowl of soup using a large wooden fork, illustrating foolishness.

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.

retrasado

/re-trah-SAH-doh//re.tɾaˈsaðo/

adjectiveC1offensive
This is a highly offensive term, directly implying mental deficiency. Use with extreme caution, as it is considered a slur and is very insulting.
A simple cartoon character looking puzzled while trying to force a large square peg into a small round hole, symbolizing foolishness.

Examples

¡Qué retrasado eres! ¿Cómo pudiste olvidar las llaves?

What an idiot you are! How could you forget the keys?

indio

IN-dyoh/ˈin.djo/

nounC1offensive
This is offensive slang, often carrying racist connotations, used to call someone foolish or stupid. It is highly inappropriate in most contexts.
A simplistic storybook illustration showing a character with a bewildered expression wearing a traditional dunce cap, symbolizing foolishness.

Examples

¡No seas indio! ¿Cómo se te ocurre hacer eso?

Don't be an idiot! How did you think of doing that?

Se portó como un indio en la reunión y ofendió a todos.

He behaved like an uncivilized person at the meeting and offended everyone.

Used as a Noun

In this informal usage, 'indio' acts as a noun describing a person. It changes gender/number: 'la india' (the stupid woman), 'los indios' (the stupid people).

Choosing between 'tonto', 'idiota', and 'estúpido'

Learners often confuse 'tonto', 'idiota', and 'estúpido'. 'Tonto' is generally the mildest, implying silliness, while 'idiota' is a direct, common equivalent of 'idiot'. 'Estúpido' is a stronger, more direct insult implying a lack of intelligence and is more offensive.

Related Translations

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