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How to Say "sly person" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sly person” is “zorro” — use 'zorro' for a generally cunning, clever, or shrewd person who is good at achieving their goals, often implying a bit of a 'sly fox' archetype.

English → Spanish

zorro

ZOH-rrohˈθo.ro

nounB1general
Use 'zorro' for a generally cunning, clever, or shrewd person who is good at achieving their goals, often implying a bit of a 'sly fox' archetype.
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).

lagarto

lah-GAHR-tohlaˈɡaɾto

nounB2general
Choose 'lagarto' to describe someone cunning, often with experience in a particular field, implying they are shrewd and perhaps a bit world-weary.
A fox wearing a suit and a monocle, looking clever.

Examples

Ten cuidado con ese negociador, es un lagarto.

Be careful with that negotiator; he's a sly one.

Mi abuelo es un viejo lagarto, no puedes engañarlo fácilmente.

My grandfather is a crafty old fox; you can't fool him easily.

Ese político es un lagarto que sabe cómo evitar las preguntas difíciles.

That politician is a cunning man who knows how to avoid difficult questions.

Metaphorical Nouns

When calling a person a 'lagarto', you are using a noun as a description. It's similar to calling someone a 'snake' in English, but less negative and more about being clever/sly.

Gender Matching

pájaro

PAH-hah-rohˈpa.xa.ɾo

nounB2informal
Use 'pájaro' when referring to someone who is tricky, suspicious, or potentially unreliable, often used in the expression 'pájaro de cuidado'.
A suspicious-looking figure wearing a dark hood peeking slyly from behind a wall.

Examples

No confíes en él, es un pájaro de cuidado.

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

¡Mira qué pájaro, se ha comido todo el pastel!

Look at that rascal, he ate the whole cake!

Context is Key

When 'pájaro' refers to a person, the context usually implies that the person is slightly suspicious, sly, or mischievous, not just a neutral 'guy'.

conejo

co-NE-jokoˈnexo

nounB2idiomatic
'Conejo' is less common for a sly person and is more often used idiomatically to mean someone who can unexpectedly produce a solution or surprise, like pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
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 vs. Lagarto

Learners often confuse 'zorro,' 'pájaro,' and 'lagarto' because they all imply cunning. Remember that 'zorro' is the most general for cleverness, 'pájaro' carries a stronger sense of suspicion or trickery, and 'lagarto' suggests experienced shrewdness.

Related Translations

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