mocoso
/moˈkoso/
The English phrase "booger kid" is translated into Spanish as mocoso.
While it literally refers to a child with a booger, it is most commonly used as a derogatory term for a bratty or annoying child.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes its ending to 'a' to refer to a female child (mocosa). The plural form is mocosos when referring to a group of boys or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/moˈkoso/
Did you know?
- An adult can also be called a mocoso to suggest they are acting like a spoiled child or are too young for their position.
- While it can be a harsh insult, some families use mocoso or mocosa as a playful, teasing nickname for a very small child.
- The word mocoso is a doublet of the English word 'mucous'. Both derive from the Latin mūcus, which refers to slime.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about a noisy neighbor's child.
- ElenaMira a ese mocoso gritando otra vez.Look at that booger kid screaming again.
- MateoEs muy molesto, pero es solo un niño.He's very annoying, but he's just a child.
- ElenaSus padres no controlan al mocoso.His parents don't control the booger kid.
- MateoTienes razón, Elena. Es demasiado ruido.You're right, Elena. It's too much noise.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mocoso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mocoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
