bárbaro
/ˈbaɾbaɾo/
The English phrase "barbarian" is translated into Spanish as bárbaro.
The word refers to a cruel, savage, brutal person. One without pity or humanity.
Meaning: a cruel, savage, brutal person, one without pity or humanity (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes to the feminine form bárbara when referring to a female barbarian. The plural form for a group of barbarians is bárbaros. The plural form for a group of female barbarians is bárbaras.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbaɾbaɾo/
Did you know?
- The term bárbaro originates from the Ancient Greek word bárbaros, which was an onomatopoeia meant to mimic the 'bar bar' sounds of people whose language the Greeks could not understand.
- While it often describes a cruel person, in many Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone bárbaro can be a high compliment meaning 'great' or 'amazing'.
- The word bárbaro can be used as an intensifier similar to 'extremely'. For example, saying someone is bárbaramente rico means they are incredibly wealthy.
Examples in context
- Mi bárbaro de nivel 9 murió.My level 9 barbarian has been killed.This sentence shows the use of bárbaro in a gaming context.Tatoeba #1415214 by marcelostockle, translation #911805 by Shiawase
- Mira bajo la piel de un hombre civilizado y encontrarás a un bárbaro.Look under the skin of a civilized man and you will find a barbarian.This sentence illustrates the use of bárbaro to describe a person's nature.Tatoeba #928041 by Shishir, translation #2738483 by catcher
- El general, sin interrumpir su discurso, le golpeó en la cabeza con su pesado bastón de marfil, y el bárbaro cayó.The general, without interrupting his speech, hit him on the head with his heavy ivory stick, the barbarian fell.This sentence demonstrates the use of bárbaro to describe a person who has fallen.Tatoeba #1937296 by Shishir, translation #1937013 by Scott
- Los visigodos eran un grupo de bárbaros.The Visigoths were a group of barbarians.
- Bailó como un salvajeHe danced like a barbarian
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a villain in a movie.
- JavierEse personaje es un auténtico bárbaro.That character is a true barbarian.
- LucíaSí, no tiene nada de humanidad.Yes, he has no humanity at all.
- JavierEs un bárbaro cruel y sin piedad.He is a cruel and pitiless barbarian.
- LucíaDa miedo verlo actuar así.It is scary to see him act like that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bárbaro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bárbaro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
