boba
informal, mild
In Spanish boba is the feminine form of bobo and means silly or foolish. Friends use it lightly, for example No seas boba. It is also called tonta and bobalicona.
Meaning: silly or foolish woman (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| boba | informal, mild |
| tonta | informal |
| bobalicona | informal, teasing |
Boba can be affectionate when said gently. Said angrily it is an insult, just like tonta.
How does it change in a sentence?
For a man the word is bobo. Bobalicona adds a teasing "very silly" feeling.
What mistakes should you avoid?
The drink called boba tea is usually called té de burbujas or bubble tea in Spanish. The word boba alone means silly.
Did you know?
- The old phrase hacerse el bobo means to play dumb on purpose.
Examples in context
- No seas boba, claro que te quiero.Do not be silly, of course I love you.
- Me siento boba por olvidarlo.I feel silly for forgetting it.
- Qué boba soy, dejé las llaves.How silly of me, I left the keys.
Example conversation
Ana laughs with her friend Laura after forgetting her phone at the café.
- AnaDejé el celular en el café, qué boba.I left my phone at the café, how silly.
- LauraNo seas boba, vamos por él.Do not be silly, let us go get it.
- AnaGracias, amiga.Thanks, friend.
