Inklingo

How to Say "idiots" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “idiots” is “tontos” — use 'tontos' when you want to call a group of people foolish or silly, often in a slightly more insulting way than 'idiotas'. It implies a lack of common sense..

tontos🔊B1

Use 'tontos' when you want to call a group of people foolish or silly, often in a slightly more insulting way than 'idiotas'. It implies a lack of common sense.

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idiotas🔊B1

This is a direct and common translation for 'idiots', referring to a group of people acting foolishly or without thinking. It's a straightforward insult.

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estúpidos🔊B1

Use 'estúpidos' for a more direct and strong insult, implying a lack of intelligence or reason in a group of people. It's often used as a warning.

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locos🔊B1

While 'locos' literally means 'crazy people', it can be used informally as an insult for a group acting foolishly or recklessly, similar to 'idiots' in a more chaotic context.

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imbéciles🔊B2

Choose 'imbéciles' for a strong insult that implies a significant lack of intelligence or common sense in a group, often used when someone has made a particularly foolish mistake.

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animales🔊B2

Use 'animales' metaphorically to describe a group behaving in a wild, uncivilized, or extremely rude manner, implying a lack of control and basic decency rather than just low intelligence.

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English → Spanish

tontos

TOHN-tohs/ˈtontos/

nounB1informal
Use 'tontos' when you want to call a group of people foolish or silly, often in a slightly more insulting way than 'idiotas'. It implies a lack of common sense.
Two confused figures standing in a sunny field, holding large inverted umbrellas, foolishly trying to catch non-existent rain.

Examples

¡No seáis tontos! Eso es una trampa obvia.

Don't be fools! That is an obvious trap.

Mis hermanos son unos tontos, siempre pelean.

My brothers are a bunch of idiots, they always fight.

Using the Article

When 'tontos' is used as a noun (meaning 'the fools'), it usually needs an article (like 'los' or 'unos') in front of it: 'Los tontos' (The fools).

Mixing Gender

Mistake: “Using 'tontos' to describe an all-female group (e.g., 'Las chicas son tontos').”

Correction: Use 'tontas' for all-female groups: 'Las chicas son tontas.' Remember, 'tontos' is used for mixed groups or all-male groups.

idiotas

ee-dee-OH-tas/iˈðjo.tas/

nounB1informal
This is a direct and common translation for 'idiots', referring to a group of people acting foolishly or without thinking. It's a straightforward insult.
A storybook illustration showing three cartoonish characters standing close together, each wearing a large metal bucket over their head, illustrating confused foolishness.

Examples

¡Los idiotas se olvidaron de comprar la leche otra vez!

The idiots forgot to buy the milk again!

No hagas caso a esos idiotas; no saben de lo que hablan.

Don't pay attention to those fools; they don't know what they are talking about.

Gender Flexibility

The singular form 'idiota' works for both men and women (el idiota, la idiota). The plural 'idiotas' is used for groups of any gender.

estúpidos

es-TOO-pee-doss/esˈtu.pi.ðos/

nounB1informal
Use 'estúpidos' for a more direct and strong insult, implying a lack of intelligence or reason in a group of people. It's often used as a warning.
A group of three cartoon figures standing together, looking confused and utterly baffled by a simple red rubber ball, representing a group of idiots.

Examples

¡Cuidado, estúpidos! Hay un agujero en la calle.

Watch out, you idiots! There's a hole in the street.

Ellos son los estúpidos que no siguieron el mapa.

They are the fools who didn't follow the map.

Used with Articles

When used as a noun, it often appears with a definite article (like 'los') or without any article, especially when used directly to address people, like '¡Estúpidos, escuchen!'

locos

LOH-kohs/ˈlo.kos/

nounB1informal
While 'locos' literally means 'crazy people', it can be used informally as an insult for a group acting foolishly or recklessly, similar to 'idiots' in a more chaotic context.
A group of five diverse cartoon characters in a field engaged in chaotic and non-sensical activities, representing a group of unstable people.

Examples

Los locos del pueblo solían reunirse en la plaza central.

The crazy people (madmen) of the town used to gather in the central square.

Solo los locos se atreverían a subir esa montaña sin equipo.

Only crazy people would dare climb that mountain without equipment.

Adjective to Noun

In Spanish, it is very common to turn an adjective into a noun by adding an article (los, las, un, una). When you say 'los locos', you are referring to 'the crazy ones' or 'the crazy people'.

imbéciles

eem-BEH-see-less/imˈbe.si.les/

nounB2informal
Choose 'imbéciles' for a strong insult that implies a significant lack of intelligence or common sense in a group, often used when someone has made a particularly foolish mistake.
Two cartoon characters acting foolishly, attempting to hammer a nail but hitting themselves instead, illustrating the concept of 'idiots'.

Examples

¡Esos imbéciles no leyeron las instrucciones!

Those idiots didn't read the instructions!

No seas como los otros imbéciles; piensa por ti mismo.

Don't be like the other fools; think for yourself.

Las autoridades actuaron como verdaderos imbéciles.

The authorities acted like true idiots.

Gender Neutrality

Even though it ends in '-es' (which often suggests masculine plural), 'imbéciles' can refer to a group of men, a group of women, or a mixed group. It's gender-neutral when used as a noun describing people.

Too Formal Use

Mistake: “Using 'imbéciles' in a formal or professional setting.”

Correction: This word is highly insulting. Use gentler terms like 'despistados' (scatterbrained) or 'irresponsables' (irresponsible) if you need to criticize someone in a neutral setting.

animales

/ah-nee-MAH-les//aniˈmales/

nounB2informal
Use 'animales' metaphorically to describe a group behaving in a wild, uncivilized, or extremely rude manner, implying a lack of control and basic decency rather than just low intelligence.
A colorful illustration depicting two small children jumping wildly on a sofa and throwing pillows, creating a chaotic mess in a living room.

Examples

¡Comportaos! Parecéis animales en esta fiesta.

Behave yourselves! You look like savages at this party.

Esos conductores son unos animales, no respetan las señales.

Those drivers are beasts (meaning: reckless/stupid), they don't respect the signs.

Figurative Use

Using 'animales' to describe people is always a strong critique of their behavior, usually implying a lack of manners, intelligence, or control.

Distinguishing between Tontos, Idiotas, and Estúpidos

Learners often confuse 'tontos', 'idiotas', and 'estúpidos'. While all are insults implying foolishness, 'tontos' is generally milder but can be more insulting than 'idiotas', which is a direct translation. 'Estúpidos' is usually the strongest and most direct insult of the three.

Related Translations

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