torcido
/toɾˈθido/
In Spanish, crooked is translated as torcido.
While torcido can be used figuratively to describe someone or something as dishonest or illegal, its primary and most common use is to describe physical objects that are not straight or are bent.
Meaning: figurative: dishonest, illegal (adj)
Which one should you use?
torcido is the most common way to describe something that is physically bent or crooked, whereas the word chueco/a is an informal way to express the same idea.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, torcido must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use the feminine form torcida for feminine nouns, the masculine plural form torcidos for masculine plural nouns and the feminine plural form torcidas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/toɾˈθido/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the idea of being 'crooked' or 'twisted' is often used in the phrase estar torcido to describe someone who is in a bad mood or acting grumpy.
- English speakers might recognize the root of torcido in words like 'torque' or 'torture', both of which involve the idea of twisting.
- In many Latin American countries, calling a person chueco can specifically imply they are a thief or a cheat, carrying a stronger accusation than a simple physical description.
Examples in context
- El árbol está torcido.The tree is crooked.This sentence uses torcido to describe a tree.Tatoeba #2002632 by bichodebola, translation #2002551 by bichodebola
- El cuadro está colgado torcido.The picture is hung crooked.This sentence uses torcido to describe how a picture is hung.Tatoeba #339379 by tatoerique, translation #22080 by CK
- Tom se dio cuenta de que el cuadro que colgaba de la pared estaba torcido, así que lo enderezó.Tom noticed the picture hanging on the wall was crooked, so he straightened it.This sentence uses torcido to describe a picture on a wall.Tatoeba #10705349 by carlosalberto, translation #10704937 by CK
- La lámpara está torcidaThe lamp is crooked
- El cuadro está desviado hacia la derechaThe picture is crooked to the right
- La estantería está inclinadaThe shelf is crooked
- El cuadro está chuecoThe picture is crooked
- La mesa está descuadradaThe table is crooked
- La casa está torcida de ladoThe house is crooked to one side
- ¡Mira esa cerca, está totalmente chueca!Look at that fence, it's completely crooked!
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are discussing a suspicious politician.
- JavierEse político es muy torcido.That politician is very crooked.
- ElenaTienes razón, no confío en él.You are right, I don't trust him.
- JavierSus negocios son totalmente torcidos.His businesses are totally crooked.
- ElenaTarde o temprano lo descubrirán.Sooner or later they will find out.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry torcido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
