Inklingo

How to Say "shameless person" in Spanish

English → Spanish

descarado

/des-kah-RAH-doh//deskaˈɾaðo/

nounB1informal
Use 'descarado' when someone is openly and audaciously shameless, often in a way that breaks social norms or expectations, like cutting in line.
A person lounging comfortably on a park bench, taking up all the space with their feet up, ignoring others waiting to sit.

Examples

¡Qué descarado! Se coló en la fila.

What a nerve! He cut in line.

No seas descarada y devuélveme el dinero.

Don't be shameless and give me the money back.

Ese descarado siempre llega tarde y no se disculpa.

That shameless guy always arrives late and doesn't apologize.

Using 'Qué' with the noun

To express surprise or annoyance, we often say '¡Qué descarado!' which is like saying 'What a nerve!' or 'How shameless!'

Missing the Article

Mistake: “Él es descarado.”

Correction: Él es un descarado. (When using it as a noun to label someone, you usually need 'un' or 'una' before it.)

sinvergüenza

nounB1general
Choose 'sinvergüenza' for someone who acts without shame, especially when they have done something wrong or are generally untrustworthy and deceitful.

Examples

Ese sinvergüenza me vendió un coche que no funciona.

That scoundrel sold me a car that doesn't work.

Descarado vs. Sinvergüenza

Learners often confuse 'descarado' and 'sinvergüenza'. Remember that 'descarado' focuses more on brazenness and boldness in action, while 'sinvergüenza' often implies a deeper moral failing or a sense of being a scoundrel.

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