Inklingo

How to Say "shameless" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “shameless” is “descarado” — use this when referring to someone, often a child or someone acting immaturely, who lacks a sense of shame or modesty in their behavior.

English → Spanish

descarado

des-kah-RAH-dohdeskaˈɾaðo

adjectiveB1informal
Use this when referring to someone, often a child or someone acting immaturely, who lacks a sense of shame or modesty in their behavior.
A mischievous child caught with their hand in a cookie jar, smiling widely without any regret.

Examples

Es un niño muy descarado.

He is a very cheeky boy.

Esa fue una mentira descarada.

That was a blatant lie.

Me parece un robo descarado cobrar tanto por un café.

It seems like a blatant robbery to charge so much for a coffee.

Matching the Person

Since this is an adjective, you must change the ending to match who you are talking about: 'descarado' for a man, 'descarada' for a woman, and 'descarados/as' for groups.

Placement for Emphasis

When you put 'descarado' after the noun (like 'un robo descarado'), it emphasizes how bold or obvious the action was.

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: “Ella es muy descarado.”

Correction: Ella es muy descarada. (Remember to change the 'o' to an 'a' when describing a female.)

sinvergüenza

adjectiveB2
This term is best used to describe an action, attitude, or a person who is completely devoid of shame, often implying dishonesty or a lack of morals.

Examples

Fue una mentira sinvergüenza.

It was a shameless lie.

fresco

FRES-kohˈfɾesko

adjectiveB2informal
Choose this when someone acts with a bold lack of respect or politeness, often in a surprising or audacious way.
A mischievous fox cub sticking its tongue out in a cheeky manner at a large, surprised owl.

Examples

Es muy fresco, le pidió dinero a su jefe el primer día.

He is very cheeky/brazen; he asked his boss for money on the first day.

¡Qué fresca! Se saltó toda la fila.

How rude/shameless! She skipped the whole line.

Using 'Ser' for Personality

When 'fresco' describes someone's personality trait (being permanently cheeky or rude), always use the verb 'ser': 'Él es fresco'.

cínico

adjectiveB2
Use this when someone openly disregards moral principles or societal expectations, acting without shame despite engaging in wrong or hypocritical behavior.

Examples

Me parece muy cínico que pidas honestidad cuando tú siempre mientes.

I find it very shameless that you ask for honesty when you always lie.

Descarado vs. Sinvergüenza

Learners often confuse 'descarado' and 'sinvergüenza'. Remember that 'descarado' usually refers to a person's general lack of modesty or shame, especially in behavior, while 'sinvergüenza' often describes a specific act or attitude that is brazenly immoral or dishonest.

Related Translations

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