artero
/aɾˈteɾo/
The English word 'devious' can be translated into Spanish using artero. Wiktionary also lists marrullero and desvioso.
Meaning: cunning or deceiving, not straightforward (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| artero | /aɾˈteɾo/ |
| marrullero | /maruˈʝeɾo/ |
| desvioso | /desbjoso/ (from spelling rules) |
While artero describes someone who is cunning or deceiving, desvioso is much less common in modern conversational Spanish. It is more likely to be understood as someone or something that deviates from a physical or metaphorical path rather than someone being 'cunning'.
Which one should you use?
The term marrullero is often used to describe someone who uses small, petty tricks or cheats in games or minor situations, whereas artero can imply a more serious or systemic dishonesty.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective artero changes its ending to artera when describing a female subject. Similarly, marrullero changes its ending to marrullera when describing a female subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɾˈteɾo/
Did you know?
- The word artero shares an ancient root with the English word 'art'. Both words trace back to a concept of skill or craftsmanship.
- While marrullero describes a devious person, the verb marrullar can also mean to speak in a confused or indistinct way to avoid giving a straight answer.
- The word artero is built from arte and the suffix -ero, the same suffix used for professions like panadero for 'baker'.
Examples in context
- ¿Pudo Tom realmente ser tan artero?Could Tom really be that devious?This sentence shows how to use artero to question someone's devious nature.Tatoeba #5435429 by albrusgher, translation #4664672 by CK
- Su comportamiento astuto reveló su naturaleza engañosaHis cunning behavior revealed his deceptive nature
- El estafador demostró ser mañoso al evitar la detecciónThe con artist proved to be devious by evading detection
- Su mirada furtiva revelaba sus intenciones de engañarHis sneaky glance revealed his intentions to deceive
- Ese chico es muy pillo, siempre encuentra la manera de quedarse con el último trozo de pastelThat kid is quite sly, he always finds a way to get the last piece of cake
- El estafador se hizo rico siendo vivoThe scammer got rich by being cunning
- Él tiene un plan muy artero.He has a very devious plan.
- No confíes en ese hombre tan artero.Don't trust that devious man.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are discussing a coworker's behavior.
- Daniel¿Viste lo que hizo el jefe?Did you see what the boss did?
- SofíaSí, es un hombre muy artero.Yes, he is a very devious man.
- DanielMe parece que nos engañó.I think he deceived us.
- SofíaSeguro, siempre actúa de forma poco clara.Surely, he always acts in an unclear way.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “devious” translations and entries artero, marrullero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries artero, marrullero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
