Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| mocoso | /moˈkoso/ | masculine |
| mimado | /miˈmado/ | masculine |
| malcriado | /malˈkɾjado/ | masculine |
| jovenete | /xobenete/ (from spelling rules) | dated, masculine |
| mal comportado | /mal kompoɾtado/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term is used to describe a selfish, spoiled or unruly child.
Which one should you use?
Use mimado when the focus is on the child being overly indulged or pampered. Use malcriado to emphasize that the child's behavior is a result of poor upbringing or lack of discipline. Mocoso is an informal term for a 'snotty-nosed child' or someone who acts like a spoiled brat.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Mocoso and malcriado are informal terms. Mocoso is an informal, often derogatory term used to dismiss a child's behavior. Jovenete is a dated term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrases mocoso/a consentido/a or malcriado/a consentido/a might be used to emphasize the spoiled aspect of a brat.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female brat, change the masculine endings to feminine, such as mocosa or malcriada.
How do you pronounce it?
/moˈkoso/
Did you know?
- Using mocoso to describe an adult is a common way to call them immature or arrogant, regardless of their actual age.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling a child mimado is not always a negative critique. It can sometimes be used affectionately to describe a child who is deeply loved and cherished.
- The word mocoso shares the same Latin root as the English medical term 'mucous'.
Examples in context
- Te comportas como un niño malcriado.You're acting like a spoiled brat.This sentence illustrates how to use malcriado to describe acting like a spoiled brat.Tatoeba #10202329 by Shishir, translation #5374264 by Hybrid
- No deberías permitir que tu hijo se comporte como un mocoso engreído.You shouldn't allow your son to act like a selfish brat.This sentence shows how to use mocoso to describe a selfish child.Tatoeba #2112151 by teskmon, translation #1341480 by CM
- Ese mocoso no deja de gritar en la tienda.That brat won't stop screaming in the store.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are watching a child misbehave at a park.
- ElenaMira a ese mocoso corriendo sin control.Look at that brat running out of control.
- DanielEs un niño muy difícil de controlar.He is a very difficult child to control.
- ElenaSus padres no le ponen límites.His parents don't set any boundaries for him.
- DanielTienes razón, es un comportamiento terrible.You are right, it is terrible behavior.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brat” translations and entries mocoso, mimado, malcriado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries malcriado, mimado, mocoso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
