Inklingo

How to Say "naive person" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ingenuo

/een-HEH-nwoh//inˈxenwo/

nounB2general
Use 'ingenuo' when referring to someone who is easily deceived because of their lack of experience or suspicion, often implying a gentle or unsuspecting nature.
A person happily trading a large, shiny gold coin for a simple, colorful balloon offered by a shadowy figure.

Examples

El pobre ingenuo creyó que se había ganado la lotería.

The poor naive guy believed he had won the lottery.

Trataron a Juan como a un ingenuo.

They treated Juan like a simpleton.

Turning Adjectives into Nouns

In Spanish, you can turn many describing words into people-words just by adding 'el' or 'un' in front of them.

inocente

ee-noh-SEHN-tay/i.noˈsen.te/

nounB2general
Choose 'inocente' when the person is easily deceived, emphasizing their lack of guilt or malice, similar to being 'innocent' in an ethical or moral sense.
A storybook illustration of a small child sitting calmly beside a white lamb in a peaceful, bright garden.

Examples

No puedes culpar al inocente por los errores de otros.

You cannot blame the innocent person for the mistakes of others.

Ella es una inocente en este mundo de negocios complicado.

She is a naive person (an innocent) in this complicated business world.

Adjective to Noun

You can turn this adjective into a noun by simply adding the article ('el' or 'la'). 'El inocente' refers to a male innocent person; 'la inocente' refers to a female innocent person.

simple

/seem-pleh//'simple/

nounB2informal
Use 'simple' when you want to call someone easily tricked or fooled, often with a slightly dismissive tone, implying a lack of intelligence or critical thinking.
A cartoonish character with a confused expression strongly pushing a glass door that clearly has a handle indicating it should be pulled open, symbolizing foolishness.

Examples

No seas un simple, ¡piensa antes de actuar!

Don't be a simpleton, think before you act!

El villano de la película trata al héroe como si fuera un simple.

The movie villain treats the hero as if he were a fool.

Ingenuo vs. Simple

Learners often confuse 'ingenuo' and 'simple' because both imply being easily fooled. Remember that 'ingenuo' suggests a lack of experience or suspicion, while 'simple' carries a stronger connotation of being unintelligent or easily tricked.

Related Translations

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