Inklingo

How to Say "obscene" in Spanish

English → Spanish

obsceno

ob-SEH-nohoβˈse.no

adjectiveB2general
Use 'obsceno' when referring to something that is morally offensive or indecent, often related to sexual content or behavior.
A person covering their eyes with their hands while looking at a messy, vandalized wall.

Examples

Él hizo un gesto obsceno desde el coche.

He made an obscene gesture from the car.

La televisión no debe mostrar contenido obsceno en este horario.

Television should not show obscene content during these hours.

Fue arrestado por comportamiento obsceno en la vía pública.

He was arrested for indecent behavior on a public street.

Ese jugador de fútbol gana una cantidad obscena de dinero.

That soccer player earns an obscene amount of money.

Matching the Noun

Remember to change the ending to 'obscena' if the thing you are describing is feminine, like 'una palabra obscena' (an obscene word).

Plural Forms

To describe more than one thing, simply add -s: 'gestos obscenos' or 'palabras obscenas'.

Use with 'Es'

When saying 'It is obscene to...', use the word 'Es' followed by 'obsceno' and then the verb in its base form: 'Es obsceno gastar...'

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: “Esa película es obsceno.”

Correction: Esa película es obscena. 'Película' is feminine, so the adjective must end in 'a'.

vulgar

bool-GARbulˈɣaɾ

adjectiveB2general
Use 'vulgar' when the offense is related to crudeness, lack of refinement, or extreme rudeness, especially in speech or behavior.
A single, brightly colored, oversized pink plastic flamingo decoration standing in a patch of simple green grass, symbolizing tastelessness.

Examples

El presentador hizo un comentario muy vulgar y tuvo que disculparse.

The host made a very vulgar comment and had to apologize.

No me gustó la decoración; la encontré un poco vulgar.

I didn't like the decor; I found it a bit tasteless.

Adjective Form

As an adjective, 'vulgar' always stays the same regardless of whether the noun is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'un chiste vulgar' and 'una broma vulgar'). Only the ending changes for plural: 'vulgares'.

verde

BEHR-dehˈbeɾðe

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'verde' specifically when describing language, jokes, or content that is risqué, dirty, or sexually suggestive in a crude way.
A simple cartoon character sticking out a tongue and crossing eyes, looking childishly impolite.

Examples

A mi jefe no le gusta que contemos chistes verdes en la oficina.

My boss doesn't like us telling dirty/obscene jokes in the office.

La película tenía diálogos un poco verdes para un público infantil.

The movie had slightly crude dialogue for a child audience.

obsceno

adjectiveC1general
Use this advanced sense of 'obsceno' to describe amounts or quantities that are shockingly or morally offensively large.

Examples

Ese jugador de fútbol gana una cantidad obscena de dinero.

That soccer player earns an obscene amount of money.

Distinguishing 'obsceno' from 'verde'

Learners often confuse 'obsceno' and 'verde.' Remember that 'obsceno' generally refers to moral offensiveness or indecency, while 'verde' specifically applies to dirty jokes or risqué content.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.