Inklingo

How to Say "to criticize" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to criticize” is “criticar” — use 'criticar' when you want to express general disapproval or negative judgment about someone's actions or words, especially when they are present or when speaking generally about their behavior.

English → Spanish

criticar

cree-tee-CARkɾitiˈkaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'criticar' when you want to express general disapproval or negative judgment about someone's actions or words, especially when they are present or when speaking generally about their behavior.
A person with a displeased expression pointing at a slightly tilted painting on a wall.

Examples

No es bueno criticar a tus amigos a sus espaldas.

It's not good to criticize your friends behind their backs.

Mi jefe siempre critica mi forma de trabajar.

My boss always criticizes my way of working.

Mucha gente criticó la decisión del gobierno.

Many people criticized the government's decision.

The Personal 'A'

When you criticize a specific person or group, you must put 'a' before them. For example: 'Critico a Juan' (I criticize Juan).

Spelling Change Alert

Because the letter 'c' sounds like 's' before 'e', the 'c' changes to 'qu' whenever the ending starts with 'e' (like in 'yo critiqué') to keep that hard 'k' sound.

Missing the 'a' for people

Mistake: “Critico mi hermano.”

Correction: Critico a mi hermano. Use 'a' when the object of your criticism is a person.

juzgar

hooz-GARxuzˈɣaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'juzgar' when you mean to pass a negative judgment or form an opinion about someone, often implying a sense of moral evaluation or condemnation.
A thoughtful person holding a red apple in one hand and a green apple in the other, looking intently at them as if evaluating their quality.

Examples

No debes juzgar un libro por su portada.

You shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

¿Quién eres tú para juzgar mi decisión?

Who are you to judge my decision?

Ella juzga a los demás con mucha dureza.

She judges others very harshly.

The '-gar' Spelling Change

When conjugating 'juzgar,' the 'g' changes to 'gu' before an 'e' sound. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past tense (juzgué) and across the entire present subjunctive (juzgue, juzgues, etc.).

Missing the 'u'

Mistake: “Using *juzge* instead of *juzgue* in the subjunctive.”

Correction: Always remember the 'u' after the 'g' in the subjunctive and preterite 'yo' form to keep the hard 'g' sound: *juzgue*.

atacar

ah-tah-KAHRataˈkaɾ

verbB2general
Choose 'atacar' when the criticism is aggressive, harsh, or direct, often in a formal or public setting like a debate or a written review.
A figure with an angry expression aggressively pointing a finger at a second figure who looks sad and is covering their ears.

Examples

La oposición atacó duramente el nuevo presupuesto.

The opposition fiercely criticized the new budget.

En su discurso, el político atacó a sus rivales sin piedad.

In his speech, the politician attacked his rivals mercilessly.

Figurative Use

When used in this sense, 'atacar' means to direct strong negative words or arguments toward a person, idea, or policy.

pelar

peh-LAHRpeˈlaɾ

verbB2informal
Use 'pelar' (colloquial) when referring to the act of gossiping negatively about someone, often to damage their reputation or to speak ill of them behind their back.
Two people whispering to each other while pointing at a person walking away in the distance.

Examples

Siempre están pelando a la vecina.

They are always badmouthing the neighbor.

No me gusta cuando la gente empieza a pelar a los demás.

I don't like it when people start tearing others apart.

La pelaron en la reunión sin que ella estuviera.

They criticized her in the meeting without her being there.

The Person is the Object

When using this meaning, the person you are badmouthing usually follows the 'personal a' rule (e.g., pelar A Juan).

Criticar vs. Atacar

Learners often confuse 'criticar' and 'atacar'. Remember that 'criticar' is a general term for expressing disapproval, while 'atacar' implies a much more aggressive, strong, and often public criticism. Use 'atacar' only when the tone is harsh and confrontational.

Related Translations

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