diablo
neutral, Mexico
In Mexican Spanish "devil" is diablo. The slang word chamuco is very popular in Mexico and demonio is also understood.
Meaning: the embodiment of evil (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| diablo | neutral, Mexico |
| demonio | neutral |
| chamuco | slang, Mexico |
Say el diablo for the devil in religion and folklore. For a mischievous child you can say diablillo, a little devil.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Chamuco is a Mexican folk word and is used playfully, as in se lo llevó el chamuco, meaning things went very badly.
When do people say it?
The devil appears in traditional Mexican crafts and in the card game lotería, where one card shows el diablito.
Did you know?
- El diablito is one of the 54 cards of the traditional Mexican lotería.
Examples in context
- El diablo vive en el infierno.The devil lives in hell.
- Ese niño es un diablillo.That child is a little devil.
- ¿Qué diablos pasó aquí?What the devil happened here?
Example conversation
Don Pablo and his friend Raúl play lotería in a plaza in Guanajuato.
- Pablo¡Aquí está! El diablito.Here it is! The little devil.
- RaúlCon ese ya casi ganas.With that one you are almost winning.
- PabloNi lo menciones, que el chamuco oye.Do not even say it, the devil is listening.
