Inklingo

How to Say "smack" in Spanish

English → Spanish

bofetada

/bo-fay-TAH-dah//bofeˈtaða/

nounA2less formal
Use this for a direct, open-handed hit or slap, often on the face or cheek, and it's a common, everyday term.
A close-up illustration of a hand making contact with a person's cheek, showing a sudden physical impact.

Examples

Le dio una bofetada en la cara por mentirle.

She gave him a slap in the face for lying to her.

Ella le dio una bofetada en la mejilla.

She gave him a slap on the cheek.

Se escuchó el sonido de una bofetada en toda la habitación.

The sound of a slap was heard throughout the whole room.

Es inaceptable resolver los problemas con bofetadas.

It is unacceptable to solve problems with slaps.

Using the right verb

In Spanish, you don't 'slap' someone using a single verb easily; instead, you 'give a slap' (dar una bofetada) to the person.

Indicating the victim

When you say who received the slap, use the word 'le' (to him/her) or 'me' (to me). For example: 'Le dio una bofetada' means 'He/she gave him/her a slap'.

Gender Error

Mistake: “El bofetada.”

Correction: La bofetada. Even though it ends in 'a' like many feminine words, learners sometimes forget and use the masculine 'el' because it feels like a 'hard' or 'aggressive' noun.

torta

/TOR-tah//ˈtoɾta/

nounB1
This refers to a sharp, often forceful hit or slap, implying a more impactful or sudden blow than 'bofetada'.
A cartoon depiction of a large open hand quickly making contact with a stylized human cheek, emphasizing the motion of a slap.

Examples

El maestro le dio una torta en la mano por no hacer la tarea.

The teacher gave him a sharp hit on the hand for not doing the homework.

Le dio una torta en la cara por insultarla.

He gave her a slap in the face for insulting her.

Si no te callas, te voy a dar una torta.

If you don't shut up, I'm going to give you a smack.

hostia

/OSS-tyah//ˈostja/

nounB1informal
While it can mean a slap, this word is often used informally to describe a very hard hit, a fall, or a crash, implying significant force or impact.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a cartoon hand accidentally knocking over a wooden bowl.

Examples

Se dio una hostia tremenda al caerse de la moto.

He took a massive hit when he fell off the motorbike.

Se dio una hostia tremenda con la bici.

He had a massive crash on his bike.

Si no te callas, te vas a llevar una hostia.

If you don't shut up, you're going to get a smack.

Le dio una hostia a la mesa por la frustración.

He gave the table a hard smack out of frustration.

Using 'darse' for accidents

When you accidentally hit yourself or crash into something, use the reflexive form 'darse una hostia' to show the action happened to you.

Always Feminine

Even though it is used as slang for a hit, it never changes its gender. It is always 'la hostia' or 'una hostia'.

Confusing with 'golpe' in formal settings

Mistake: “Using 'hostia' in a job interview to describe a car accident.”

Correction: Use 'golpe' or 'accidente' instead. 'Hostia' is very informal and can be seen as rude in professional environments.

Bofetada vs. Torta vs. Hostia

Learners often confuse 'bofetada' and 'torta' because both can mean slap. Remember 'bofetada' is the most standard term for an open-handed slap, while 'torta' implies a sharper, more forceful hit. 'Hostia' is generally more intense, often used for falls or crashes, and is quite informal.

Related Translations

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