Inklingo

How to Say "naughty" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “naughty” is “travieso” — use this for children exhibiting mildly bad or mischievous behavior, or for a flirtatious or suggestive smile or look.

travieso🔊A2 / B2

Use this for children exhibiting mildly bad or mischievous behavior, or for a flirtatious or suggestive smile or look.

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malas🔊A1

This is a general term for 'bad' and is often used to describe news or situations, but can also apply to a person's (especially female) bad behavior in a more serious sense.

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tremenda🔊B1

Use this informal adjective, typically for children, to describe someone who is very energetic, difficult to control, or a 'handful'.

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picante🔊B1

This translation is used for jokes, comments, or content that is racy, risqué, or slightly suggestive, similar to 'spicy' or 'risqué'.

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pecador🔊B2

This word implies a 'sinful' or 'naughty' thought or action, often used in a lighthearted or playful way to describe breaking minor rules or having a slightly mischievous inclination.

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English → Spanish

travieso

trah-bee-EH-sohtɾaˈβjeso

adjectiveA2 / B2informal
Use this for children exhibiting mildly bad or mischievous behavior, or for a flirtatious or suggestive smile or look.
A small puppy sitting on a colorful rug with a single sneaker in its mouth, looking playful.

Examples

El niño es muy travieso y siempre esconde mis zapatos.

The boy is very mischievous and always hides my shoes.

Tengo un gatito travieso que juega con las cortinas.

I have a playful kitten that plays with the curtains.

No seas travieso, siéntate y come tu cena.

Don't be naughty, sit down and eat your dinner.

Me lanzó una sonrisa traviesa antes de salir.

She gave me a naughty smile before leaving.

Matching the Person

This word needs to change its ending to match who you are talking about: 'travieso' for a boy, 'traviesa' for a girl, 'traviesos' for a group of boys (or mixed), and 'traviesas' for a group of girls.

Using 'Ser' vs 'Estar'

Use 'ser' if the person is naturally mischievous by personality. Use 'estar' if they are just acting up or being playful at this specific moment.

Placing the word

When used in a flirtatious way, 'travieso' usually comes after the thing it describes (like 'sonrisa traviesa').

Don't use 'malo' for fun trouble

Mistake: “Mi perro es malo.”

Correction: Mi perro es travieso.

malas

MAH-lasˈmalas

adjectiveA1
This is a general term for 'bad' and is often used to describe news or situations, but can also apply to a person's (especially female) bad behavior in a more serious sense.
A bright red apple that has a large, visible patch of brown rot and mold on one side, illustrating poor quality.

Examples

Las noticias eran muy malas.

The news was very bad.

Esas decisiones malas afectaron a la compañía.

Those poor decisions affected the company.

No comas esas manzanas; parecen malas.

Don't eat those apples; they look bad (spoiled).

Gender and Number Agreement

'Malas' must only be used to describe things that are both feminine and plural, like 'las ideas' (the ideas) or 'las actitudes' (the attitudes).

Using the wrong form

Mistake: “La situación eran malas.”

Correction: La situación era mala. (The thing described, 'situación,' is singular, so use 'mala.')

tremenda

treh-MEN-dahtɾeˈmenda

adjectiveB1informal
Use this informal adjective, typically for children, to describe someone who is very energetic, difficult to control, or a 'handful'.
A young girl with messy hair jumping on a bed with pillows flying everywhere.

Examples

Tu hija es tremenda, no para de correr.

Your daughter is a handful, she doesn't stop running.

Not always bad!

Mistake: “Thinking 'tremenda' only means 'bad' or 'terrible'.”

Correction: When describing a person's behavior, it often implies they are high-energy or mischievous, sometimes even in an admiring way.

picante

pee-KAHN-tehpiˈkante

adjectiveB1informal
This translation is used for jokes, comments, or content that is racy, risqué, or slightly suggestive, similar to 'spicy' or 'risqué'.
A cartoon character winking broadly with a mischievous expression, holding a finger up to their lips in a 'shush' gesture.

Examples

El comediante contó un chiste muy picante sobre política.

The comedian told a very racy joke about politics.

Su comentario fue un poco picante y ofendió a algunos invitados.

His comment was a little sharp/suggestive and offended some guests.

Figurative Meaning

Think of this meaning as describing something that 'stings' or 'spices up' a conversation, making it thrilling or slightly inappropriate.

pecador

peh-kah-DORpekaˈðoɾ

adjectiveB2informal
This word implies a 'sinful' or 'naughty' thought or action, often used in a lighthearted or playful way to describe breaking minor rules or having a slightly mischievous inclination.
A small red devil character whispering into the ear of a person who is looking at a forbidden cookie jar.

Examples

Tuvo un pensamiento pecador.

He had a sinful thought.

Este mundo pecador necesita esperanza.

This sinful world needs hope.

Ese chocolate tiene un aspecto muy pecador.

That chocolate looks very sinful (tempting).

Placement

Like most Spanish adjectives, put 'pecador' after the word it describes: 'un hombre pecador' (a sinful man).

Travieso vs. Malas

Learners often confuse 'travieso' and 'malas'. Remember that 'travieso' is usually for playful mischief, especially in children or flirtatious contexts, while 'malas' is a more general and often more serious term for badness.

Related Translations

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