Inklingo

How to Say "jerks" in Spanish

English → Spanish

desgraciados

/dess-gra-syah-dohss//desɣɾaˈsjaðos/

nounB2informal
Use this when referring to people who are acting rudely or annoyingly, essentially calling them 'scoundrels' or 'wretches' who have done something bad.
A sneaky person wearing a mask and a striped shirt carrying a bag of stolen goods.

Examples

¡Esos desgraciados me robaron la cartera!

Those scoundrels stole my wallet!

No quiero volver a ver a esos desgraciados por aquí.

I don't want to see those jerks around here again.

Don't always use it as an insult

Mistake: “Thinking it always means 'jerk'.”

Correction: Check the context; if the person looks sad or poor, it probably means 'unfortunate'.

bastardos

bahs-TAHR-dohs/basˈtaɾðos/

adjectiveB2vulgar
This is a strong, general term of abuse, similar to calling someone a 'bastard' or 'scum' in English, often implying they are inherently bad or have acted very badly.
A simple storybook illustration of two sly-looking men in dark, ragged clothes whispering secrets and smiling mischievously.

Examples

¡Esos bastardos nos robaron todo el dinero!

Those scoundrels stole all our money!

No confíes en ellos, son unos bastardos que solo buscan problemas.

Don't trust them, they are jerks who only look for trouble.

Intense Emotion

When used in this way, 'bastardos' carries a strong negative emotion, often used in anger or frustration, similar to strong curses in English.

ratas

RAH-tas (roll the R)ˈratas

nounB2derogatory
Use this contemptuous term to describe people you view as 'crooks' or 'scurvy individuals,' implying they are sneaky and dishonorable, like vermin.
A cartoon illustration of a shifty-looking man in a dark coat and wide-brimmed hat, sneaking away with a bag, representing a scoundrel or crook.

Examples

¡Esas ratas me robaron la billetera en el metro!

Those crooks stole my wallet on the subway!

No confíes en él; es una de esas ratas de la política.

Don't trust him; he's one of those political scoundrels (rats).

Insulting Both Genders

Even when referring to a group of men, 'ratas' remains feminine (las ratas), emphasizing the contemptuous nature of the insult.

Using 'Ratas' Too Casually

Mistake: “Using 'ratas' in a formal setting or with strangers.”

Correction: This word is a strong insult or slang term for thieves/bad people. Use it only in very informal or angry contexts.

Choosing Between 'Desgraciados' and 'Ratas'

Learners often confuse 'desgraciados' and 'ratas' because both can refer to thieves. Remember, 'desgraciados' is a more general insult for annoying or wicked people, while 'ratas' specifically implies sneaky, low-down 'crooks'.

Related Translations

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