Inklingo

How to Say "stupid" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “stupid” is “estúpido” — use this as a general, direct translation for 'stupid' when referring to a lack of intelligence or common sense in an idea, action, or person.

estúpidoB1

Use this as a general, direct translation for 'stupid' when referring to a lack of intelligence or common sense in an idea, action, or person.

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idiota🔊B1

Use this when describing a decision, action, or person that is foolish, lacking sense, or clearly wrong, often with a slightly stronger tone than 'estúpido'.

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tonto🔊A2

Use this for 'silly' or 'foolish', often less harsh than 'stupid', but can be insulting depending on tone and context.

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imbécilB1

Use this to describe an action, thought, or person that is extremely foolish, senseless, or shows a lack of intelligence.

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tarado🔊B1

Use this to describe someone or something that is foolish, crazy, or lacking common sense, often used self-deprecatingly or to describe erratic behavior.

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bruto🔊B1

Use this to describe someone who is unintelligent, lacks common sense, or is acting in a rough or unrefined manner.

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animal🔊B2

Use this colloquially to describe someone acting foolishly or without thinking, similar to calling them an 'idiot' or 'clumsy'.

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cretino🔊B2

Use this to describe a behavior or action that is extremely foolish, idiotic, or shows a complete lack of sense.

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gilipollas🔊B2

Use this for a very informal and offensive term to describe an action, thing, or person that is extremely stupid or idiotic.

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imbécilesB2

This is the plural form of 'imbécil', used to describe multiple people, actions, or ideas as being foolish or senseless.

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English → Spanish

estúpido

AdjectiveB1
Use this as a general, direct translation for 'stupid' when referring to a lack of intelligence or common sense in an idea, action, or person.

Examples

Esa fue una idea estúpida.

That was a stupid idea.

idiota

ee-dee-OH-tahiˈðjota

AdjectiveB1neutral to informal
Use this when describing a decision, action, or person that is foolish, lacking sense, or clearly wrong, often with a slightly stronger tone than 'estúpido'.
A brightly colored bicycle resting on a flat surface, but instead of round wheels, it has large, impractical square wooden wheels, representing a stupid design.

Examples

Fue una decisión idiota vender el coche.

It was an idiotic decision to sell the car.

Me hizo una pregunta totalmente idiota.

He asked me a totally stupid question.

An Adjective That Doesn't Change Its Ending

'Idiota' is special because its ending doesn't change for masculine or feminine things. It's always 'idiota'. For example: 'un plan idiota' (a stupid plan) and 'una idea idiota' (a stupid idea).

Trying to Make it Masculine

Mistake: “Quiso hacer un chiste idioto.”

Correction: Say 'un chiste idiota'. The word 'idiota' always ends in '-a', even when it's describing a masculine noun.

tonto

TON-tohˈtonto

AdjectiveA2informal
Use this for 'silly' or 'foolish', often less harsh than 'stupid', but can be insulting depending on tone and context.
A young character standing indoors holding an open umbrella while sunlight streams through a window, illustrating a silly or foolish moment.

Examples

Fue una broma tonta, pero todos nos reímos.

It was a silly joke, but we all laughed.

No seas tonto, claro que puedes hacerlo.

Don't be silly, of course you can do it.

Me siento tonta por haber olvidado las llaves.

I feel foolish for having forgotten the keys.

Matching the Noun

Like many describing words in Spanish, 'tonto' changes to match the person or thing it's describing. Use 'tonto' for masculine things ('el niño tonto') and 'tonta' for feminine things ('la idea tonta'). For groups, use 'tontos' or 'tontas'.

Forgetting to Change the Ending

Mistake: “La chica es tonto.”

Correction: Say 'La chica es tonta.' Describing words almost always need to match the gender (masculine/feminine) of the noun they describe.

imbécil

adjectiveB1informal to vulgar
Use this to describe an action, thought, or person that is extremely foolish, senseless, or shows a lack of intelligence.

Examples

Fue una idea imbécil salir sin paraguas.

It was a stupid idea to go out without an umbrella.

tarado

tah-RAH-dohtaˈɾaðo

adjectiveB1informal
Use this to describe someone or something that is foolish, crazy, or lacking common sense, often used self-deprecatingly or to describe erratic behavior.
A colorful storybook illustration of a person trying to water a plant with a closed umbrella during a rainstorm.

Examples

¡Qué tarado soy! Me olvidé las llaves adentro.

I'm so stupid! I forgot my keys inside.

No seas tarado, no puedes saltar desde ahí.

Don't be an idiot, you can't jump from there.

Ese plan es totalmente tarado.

That plan is totally idiotic.

Matching the Person

Remember to change the ending to match who you are talking about. Use 'tarado' for a male and 'tarada' for a female.

Using with 'Ser' vs 'Estar'

Use 'ser tarado' to say someone is generally a fool. Use 'estar tarado' to say someone is acting crazy or stupid in a specific moment.

Using in formal settings

Mistake: “Calling your boss 'tarado' during a meeting.”

Correction: This is a slang term and can be offensive. Avoid using it in professional or formal environments unless you have a very close relationship with the person.

bruto

broo-tohˈbɾuto

adjectiveB1informal
Use this to describe someone who is unintelligent, lacks common sense, or is acting in a rough or unrefined manner.
A simple drawing of a thick, rough-hewn piece of unpolished grey stone.

Examples

No seas tan bruto, vas a romper el juguete.

Don't be so rough, you're going to break the toy.

¡Qué bruto soy! Olvidé las llaves adentro.

How stupid of me! I left the keys inside.

Changing for Gender

Remember to change the ending to 'bruta' if you are describing a woman or a feminine object.

Bruto vs. Grosero

Mistake: “Using 'bruto' to mean 'rude' in a polite sense.”

Correction: Use 'bruto' for someone who is rough or clumsy; use 'grosero' if they are being mean or impolite with words.

animal

a-ni-'mala.niˈmal

AdjectiveB2informal
Use this colloquially to describe someone acting foolishly or without thinking, similar to calling them an 'idiot' or 'clumsy'.
A simple illustration of a person stumbling and dropping several boxes, showing clumsiness.

Examples

¡Qué animal! Rompió el jarrón por no mirar.

How clumsy (or 'what an idiot')! He broke the vase because he wasn't looking.

Este conductor es muy animal, va a 140 km/h en la ciudad.

This driver is very reckless, he’s going 140 km/h in the city.

Informal Adjective Use

When used this way, animal is often used as a descriptive noun/adjective that usually means 'reckless person' or 'oaf' and is applied directly to the person being criticized.

Using the literal meaning

Mistake: “Un policía le dijo que era un animal (expecting him to be literally a non-human creature).”

Correction: This is almost always hyperbole, meaning the person is acting wildly or irresponsibly, not that they are literally a beast.

cretino

kreh-TEE-nohkɾeˈtino

adjectiveB2informal
Use this to describe a behavior or action that is extremely foolish, idiotic, or shows a complete lack of sense.
A person smiling foolishly while using a watering can to pour water directly onto a small fish swimming inside a glass bowl.

Examples

Fue una idea cretina cruzar la calle sin mirar.

It was an idiotic idea to cross the street without looking.

Su actitud cretina nos hizo perder el autobús.

His stupid attitude made us miss the bus.

Adjective Agreement

As an adjective, 'cretino' must match the noun it describes in both number (singular/plural) and gender (masculine/feminine). E.g., 'decisiones cretinas' (plural, feminine).

Using 'ser' vs. 'estar'

Mistake: “Using 'Está cretino' (He is temporarily acting stupid).”

Correction: Use 'Ser': 'Es cretino' (He is inherently/always an idiot). Traits that are considered defining characteristics usually use the verb 'ser'.

gilipollas

hee-lee-POY-yasxiliˈpoʎas

adjectiveB2vulgar
Use this for a very informal and offensive term to describe an action, thing, or person that is extremely stupid or idiotic.
A colorful storybook illustration of a person trying to fit a large square block into a small round hole.

Examples

Fue una pregunta un poco gilipollas.

It was a bit of a stupid question.

No digas cosas gilipollas.

Don't say idiotic things.

Me parece una idea bastante gilipollas.

I think it's a pretty dumb idea.

No Gender Change

Just like the noun, the adjective form stays the same for masculine or feminine things: 'un comentario gilipollas' (masculine) and 'una idea gilipollas' (feminine).

Wrong Verb Choice

imbéciles

adjectiveB2informal to vulgar
This is the plural form of 'imbécil', used to describe multiple people, actions, or ideas as being foolish or senseless.

Examples

Tomaron decisiones muy imbéciles.

They made very stupid decisions.

Choosing between 'estúpido', 'idiota', and 'tonto'

Learners often confuse 'estúpido' and 'idiota', but 'estúpido' is a more direct translation of 'stupid' for general lack of intelligence. 'Idiota' can imply foolishness or a clear lack of sense in an action. 'Tonto' is usually milder, meaning 'silly' or 'foolish', and is less offensive unless used sarcastically.

Related Translations

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