tonto
/ˈtonto/
The Spanish word for dingus is tonto.
tonto is a slang term used to describe a person who is silly or foolish. In many contexts, it implies a lack of intelligence or a silly mistake, whereas more severe insults would be used for actual malice.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tonto is an informal term. Depending on your tone, it can range from a playful tease to a mild insult.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term Baboso(a) is used to refer to someone who is foolish or slow-witted.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes its ending based on the gender and number of the people you are describing. Use tonto for a male, tonta for a female, tontos for a group of males or a mixed group and tontas for a group of females.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtonto/
Did you know?
- One theory suggests tonto comes from a Latin word meaning 'to shear', implying a person who has been shorn or stripped of their wits.
- In many Spanish speaking cultures, calling a child tontito with the diminutive ending is a common way to express endearment rather than a genuine insult.
- The exact origin of tonto is a mystery to linguists, though some suggest it might be onomatopoeic, mimicking a sound of stupidity.
Examples in context
- Ese hombre es un patán, siempre interrumpiéndome cuando hablo.That man is a jerk, always interrupting me when I speak.
- No seas baboso, no sabes cómo se hace.Don't be a dingus, you don't know how to do it.
- No seas tonto, es una broma.Don't be a dingus, it's a joke.
- Ese chico es un poco tonto.That guy is a bit of a dingus.
- ¡Qué tonto soy! Olvidé las llaves.I'm such a dingus! I forgot the keys.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are sitting in a cafe.
- DanielElena, ¿viste lo que hizo ese tonto?Elena, did you see what that dingus did?
- ElenaSí, fue muy gracioso.Yes, it was very funny.
- DanielEs un tonto de verdad.He is a real dingus.
- ElenaNo seas tan duro con él.Don't be so hard on him.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tonto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tonto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
