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How to Say "sly person" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sly person” is “zorro” — use 'zorro' when referring to someone who is generally cunning and clever, often in a way that helps them achieve their goals effectively. It's a common and widely understood term for a shrewd individual..

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zorro

ZOH-rroh/ˈθo.ro/

nounB1general
Use 'zorro' when referring to someone who is generally cunning and clever, often in a way that helps them achieve their goals effectively. It's a common and widely understood term for a shrewd individual.
A cunning orange fox with a sly, knowing smirk and half-closed eyes, standing next to a small pile of colorful, recently stolen eggs.

Examples

No confíes en él, es un zorro que siempre consigue lo que quiere.

Don't trust him, he's a sly fox who always gets what he wants.

Nuestro abogado es un zorro; encontró la laguna legal perfecta.

Our lawyer is a clever fox; he found the perfect legal loophole.

Figurative Adjective Use

While technically a noun, 'zorro' often functions like an adjective describing someone's character, usually following the verb 'ser' (to be).

pájaro

nounB2informal
Choose 'pájaro' when you want to describe someone who is suspicious, possibly untrustworthy, or has a reputation for being tricky. It often implies a slightly negative or wary connotation.

Examples

No confíes en él, es un pájaro de cuidado.

Don't trust him, he's a tricky/suspicious fellow.

conejo

co-NE-jo/koˈnexo/

nounB2figurative
Employ 'conejo' specifically when describing someone who is cunning in a way that involves pulling off unexpected or surprising feats, much like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. This usage is less common for describing a person directly.
A gloved hand reaching into a black top hat, pulling out a long, continuous stream of colorful silk ribbons, illustrating a magic trick.

Examples

El político siempre se saca un conejo de la chistera en los debates.

The politician always pulls a rabbit out of the hat (comes up with a surprise solution) in the debates.

Ese jugador es un conejo, siempre hace fintas inesperadas.

That player is a sly dog; he always makes unexpected feints.

Zorro vs. Pájaro

Learners often confuse 'zorro' and 'pájaro'. Remember that 'zorro' is generally for someone clever and effective, while 'pájaro' implies suspicion and trickiness, carrying a more negative tone. Use 'zorro' for general shrewdness and 'pájaro' when you feel wary of someone's intentions.

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