tonto
/ˈtonto/
The Spanish word for doofus is tonto.
tonto is used to describe a person with poor judgement and taste. While it can function as an adjective meaning 'stupid', when used as a noun it specifically refers to a person who is a doofus or a fool.
Meaning: person with poor judgement and taste (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of tonto changes based on gender and number. To refer to a female doofus, use tonta. For a group of males or a mixed group, use the masculine plural tontos. For a group consisting only of females, use the feminine plural tontas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtonto/
Did you know?
- The origin of tonto is a subject of debate among linguists, with some suggesting it might come from the Latin word for 'to shear', implying someone who has been shorn or stripped of their wits.
- When spoken with a soft, affectionate tone, tonto loses its sting and can be used as a term of endearment between friends or partners, much like 'silly'.
- Spanish uses the phrase hacerse el tonto to describe the act of 'playing dumb' to dodge responsibility.
Examples in context
- Juan siempre está haciendo tonterías. ¡Es tan tonto!Juan is always doing silly things. He's such a doofus!
- No puedo creer que llegué tarde por olvidar mi pasaporte. ¡Soy un bobo total!I can't believe I was late because I forgot my passport. I'm such a complete doofus!
- ¡Eres un tontaina! No sabes ni cómo preparar un café.You're such a doofus! You don't even know how to make coffee.
- ¡No seas tonto!Don't be a doofus!
- Ese tonto compró un coche que no funciona.That doofus bought a car that doesn't work.
- No seas un tonto y no gastes todo tu dinero.Don't be a doofus and don't spend all your money.
- El tonto de mi vecino tiene un gusto terrible.That doofus neighbor of mine has terrible taste.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing a person's bad fashion choices.
- Lucía¿Viste lo que se puso ese tonto?Did you see what that doofus put on?
- JavierSí, su combinación de colores es horrible.Yes, his color combination is horrible.
- LucíaEs un tonto sin nada de estilo.He is a doofus without any style.
- JavierTienes razón, Lucía.You are right, Lucía.
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.
