demonio
neutral
The standard word is demonio. In Mexico people also say diablo for the devil or a bad spirit, and chamuco is a popular slang word for the devil.
Meaning: evil spirit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| demonio | neutral |
| diablo | common |
| chamuco | Mexico, slang |
Demonio fits religious talk, horror stories and fiction. Said about a child, es un demonio means the child is very mischievous.
Which one should you use?
Demonio is any evil spirit, while el diablo is the devil himself. Chamuco is playful or folksy and is not used in formal speech.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes expect an exact match for "demon" in every sentence, but Spanish often uses diablo in sayings such as qué diablos.
Did you know?
- The mild exclamation ¡demonios! works like "darn it" in English.
Examples in context
- La película trata de un demonio.The movie is about a demon.
- Ese niño es un demonio.That kid is a little devil.
- Dicen que el chamuco se le apareció.They say the devil appeared to him.
Example conversation
Abuela Lupe tells a scary story to her grandchildren Ana and Luis in Zacatecas.
- LupeDicen que en esa casa vivía un demonio.They say a demon lived in that house.
- Ana¿Era el chamuco, abuela?Was it the devil, Grandma?
- LupeEso dicen. Ahora a dormir.So they say. Now off to sleep.
