tonto
neutral, Honduras
In Honduras you can say tonto for dumb, and it works in any country. More casual choices are bruto and baboso, and both can be insulting.
Meaning: foolish, silly (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| tonto | neutral, Honduras |
| bruto | casual |
| baboso | casual, Central America |
Say No seas tonto for do not be silly. Among close friends it can be playful, but with strangers it is rude.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Tonto is the mildest of these words. Bruto and baboso are sharper, so avoid them at work or with older people.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Baboso is heard in Honduras and across Central America and Mexico. Its strength varies by speaker and setting.
Did you know?
- Hondurans commonly use vos with friends, which is why you hear bajate and esperá.
Examples in context
- No seas tonto, ya lo sabías.Do not be silly, you already knew it.
- Qué bruto, se me olvidó.How dumb, I forgot.
- Ese baboso me dejó plantado.That fool stood me up.
Example conversation
Karla jokes with her friend Edwin after he gets the bus wrong in Tegucigalpa.
- Karla¿Te subiste al bus equivocado?Did you get on the wrong bus?
- EdwinSí, qué tonto soy.Yes, how dumb I am.
- KarlaBajate aquí y esperá el otro.Get off here and wait for the other one.
