How to Say "insult" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “insult” is “insulto” — use 'insulto' when referring to a specific, often verbal, remark or action intended to offend someone directly.
insulto
een-SOOL-tohinˈsulto
Examples
Él me lanzó un insulto muy feo.
He threw a very ugly insult at me.
No tolero ningún tipo de insulto en mi casa.
I don't tolerate any kind of insult in my house.
Gender of 'insulto'
This is a masculine 'naming word' (noun), so you always use 'el' or 'un' with it: 'el insulto'.
Using the wrong action word
Mistake: “Hacer un insulto.”
Correction: Decir or proferir un insulto.
ofensa
oh-FEN-sahoˈfensa
Examples
No fue mi intención causarte ninguna ofensa.
It wasn't my intention to cause you any offense.
Él tomó su silencio como una ofensa personal.
He took her silence as a personal insult.
Proferir una ofensa contra el rey es un asunto serio en algunos países.
Uttering an insult against the king is a serious matter in some countries.
Gender and Articles
This is a feminine noun. Even though the person receiving the offense might be a man, the word always uses 'la' or 'una' (e.g., 'la ofensa').
Verbs that pair with ofensa
To say 'to give/cause an offense,' Spanish speakers usually use 'hacer' (to make) or 'causar' (to cause).
Ofensa vs. Delito
Mistake: “Using 'ofensa' to describe a car accident or a theft.”
Correction: In Spanish, 'ofensa' usually refers to pride or feelings. For legal crimes or breaking laws, use 'delito' or 'infracción'.
Insulto vs. Ofensa
Related Translations
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