Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| descarado | /deskaˈɾado/ | masculine |
| pícaro | /ˈpikaɾo/ | masculine |
| impertinente | /impeɾtiˈnente/ | masculine |
| insolente | /insoˈlente/ | masculine |
The terms for "cheeky" in Spanish vary depending on whether you want to emphasize impudence, mischief or a sense of being a rogue.
What does it mean word for word?
The word descarado is literally shameless, formed from the prefix des- (meaning un-) and cara (meaning face).
Which one should you use?
While descarado implies a lack of shame or impudence, pícaro carries a more playful, mischievous or rogue-like connotation. For a stronger and more formal sense of being disrespectful, use insolente.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term impertinente is a formal and clinical way to describe someone being cheeky or rude. In contrast, descarado is more colloquial. If you want to describe someone as cheeky or mischievous in an informal way, you can use travieso/a. For a slang version describing someone as cunning or mischievous, use pillo/a.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective descarado changes to descarada to agree with a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/deskaˈɾado/
Did you know?
- The word pícaro is the root of the 'Picaresque' genre in Spanish literature. It refers to a specific type of protagonist: a rogue or street urchin who survives through wit and cheekiness.
- Depending on the tone, ¡Qué descarado! can be a playful flirtation or a severe insult, meaning the speaker's intent is hidden entirely in the inflection.
- The word insolente is a direct descendant of the Latin word īnsolentem, which originally meant 'unaccustomed' or 'unusual'.
Examples in context
- Como vuelvas a ser descarado una vez más, no voy a leerte un cuento esta noche.If you're cheeky once more, I won't read you a story tonight.This sentence is useful for illustrating a consequence of being descarado.Tatoeba #5980883 by solmyrbcn, translation #387627 by Dorenda
- El hombre descarado se atrevió a interrumpir la reunión del consejo sin pedir permiso.The cheeky man dared to interrupt the council meeting without asking for permission.
- ¡Qué pillo/a! Siempre encuentras una manera de salirte con la tuya.What a cheeky one! You always find a way to get away with it.
- Ese chico es un descarado.That boy is cheeky.
- No seas tan descarado conmigo.Don't be so cheeky with me.
Example conversation
A mother corrects her son's rude comment.
- María¿Cómo te atreves a decirme eso, Daniel?How dare you say that to me, Daniel?
- DanielSolo estaba bromeando, mamá.I was only joking, mom.
- MaríaEres un descarado, ve a tu cuarto.You are cheeky, go to your room.
- DanielEstá bien, me voy ahora.Alright, I'm going now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheeky” translations and entries descarado, pícaro, impertinente, insolente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries descarado, impertinente, insolente, pícaro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
