bicho raro
/ˌbit͡ʃo ˈraɾo/
In Spanish, the English noun 'creep' is translated as bicho raro.
While the English word 'creep' can be a verb meaning to move stealthily, the Spanish phrase bicho raro is used as a noun to describe a person who is perceived as strange, eccentric or a social misfit.
Meaning: to move in a stealthy or secret manner (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase bicho raro literally translates to 'strange bug' or 'weird insect'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make bicho raro plural, you must change both the noun and the adjective to bichos raros.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbitʃo ˈraɾo/
Did you know?
- In Caribbean Spanish, the term bicho can be a vulgar slang word for male genitalia, making the phrase bicho raro potentially risky in certain regions.
- The word bicho in bicho raro shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'beast', coming from the Latin 'bestia'.
- While bicho raro describes a person, the word bicho can also be used in many Latin American countries as a friendly, informal term for a child or a person, depending on the tone.
Examples in context
- No me siento cómodo cerca de esa persona inquietante.I don't feel comfortable around that creepy person.
- Es mejor evitar al tipo raro que vive en el vecindario.It's better to avoid the weird guy who lives in the neighborhood.
- Ese tipo siempre está haciendo comentarios inapropiados. Es un baboso.That guy is always making inappropriate comments. He's a creep.
- No dejes que ese baboso se acerque a ti.Don't let that creep get close to you.
- No me gusta cómo me mira ese tipo inquietante en el metro.I don't like how that creepy guy is looking at me on the subway.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about a strange man at a party.
- MateoMira a aquel hombre, es un bicho raro.Look at that man, he is a creep.
- SofíaSí, me está mirando muy raro.Yes, he is looking at me very strangely.
- MateoVámonos de aquí ahora mismo.Let's get out of here right now.
- SofíaTienes razón, Mateo. Vámonos.You are right, Mateo. Let's go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bicho raro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bicho, bicho raro, raro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
