Inklingo

How to Say "nickname" in Spanish

English → Spanish

apodo

/ah-POH-doh//aˈpoðo/

nounA2informal
Use 'apodo' for a casual, familiar name given by friends, family, or peers, often in a friendly or teasing way.
A friendly group of children laughing together, with one child wearing a shirt that has a small, cute drawing of a honeybee on it, representing a nickname.

Examples

Mi apodo en la escuela era 'El Gato'.

My nickname at school was 'The Cat'.

Muchos futbolistas son conocidos por su apodo.

Many soccer players are known by their nickname.

Using 'apodo' with articles

Since 'apodo' is a masculine noun, always use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a). Example: 'El apodo es gracioso' (The nickname is funny).

Don't confuse with 'Last Name'

Mistake: “Using 'apodo' to mean 'last name'.”

Correction: Use 'apellido' for last names. 'Apodo' is only for informal nicknames (like calling a tall friend 'Skinny').

alias

/ah-lee-ahs//ˈa.ljas/

nounB2formal/secretive
Use 'alias' when referring to a false or secret name used for deception, to hide one's identity, or in criminal contexts.
A simple storybook character wearing a large pair of dark glasses and a bushy fake mustache, illustrating a disguise or assumed name.

Examples

El criminal usaba el alias de 'El Fantasma' para sus operaciones.

The criminal used the alias 'The Ghost' for his operations.

La policía identificó al sospechoso, cuyo alias es 'El Chino'.

The police identified the suspect, whose alias is 'The Chinese One'.

Muchos artistas de grafiti trabajan bajo un alias para proteger su anonimato.

Many graffiti artists work under an alias to protect their anonymity.

A Word That Doesn't Change

'Alias' is special because it is invariable: it stays exactly the same whether you are talking about one alias ('el alias') or many aliases ('los alias').

Don't Add an 'es'

Mistake: “Los aliases (Incorrect plural form)”

Correction: The correct plural is simply 'los alias'. Remember, the word already ends in 's' and doesn't follow the usual plural rules.

Apodo vs. Alias

Learners often confuse 'apodo' and 'alias' by using 'alias' for casual nicknames. Remember, 'alias' implies secrecy or a false identity, while 'apodo' is for friendly or familiar names.

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