tontos
/tontos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "dummies" can be translated into Spanish as tontos.
The word tontos is used to describe people who are considered stupid or who lack common sense. Depending on the context, other terms may be more appropriate, such as Maniquíes for retail store mannequins or Simulacros for medical or disaster preparedness mock-ups.
Which one should you use?
While tontos is the standard term for dummies, it can be used for a mixed-gender group or a group of only males.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the informal term boludos is used for dummies or idiots and can be considered offensive. In Mexico, pendejos is an informal and vulgar term for dummies.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on gender and number: tonto is the singular masculine form, tonta is the singular feminine form, tontos is the plural masculine or mixed-gender form and tontas is the plural feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
/tontos/
Did you know?
- While tontos refers to people, the word for a baby's pacifier is chupete in Spain but chupón in Mexico, reflecting how different regions name the objects babies suck on.
- In some Spanish dialects, the term tonto can be used as a verb tontear, which means to flirt or fool around with someone.
- If you use the word boludo in Argentina, you are using a term that originally referred to someone with a large 'bolo', a slang term for certain anatomy, though it is now common slang for 'dummy'.
Examples in context
- Los maniquíes en la tienda de ropa son muy realistasThe dummies in the clothing store are very lifelike
- No seas tonto, no deberías haberlo hechoDon't be a dummy, you shouldn't have done it
- El museo de ciencia utiliza maniquíes para enseñar anatomía humana.The science museum uses dummies to teach human anatomy.
- Eres un tonto si crees todo lo que dice Internet.You are a dummy if you believe everything the Internet says.
- Ellos son unos tontos.They are dummies.
- Parecen tontos cuando no saben qué hacer.They look like dummies when they don't know what to do.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucia are watching a clumsy comedy show.
- MateoMira a esos personajes, son unos tontos.Look at those characters, they are dummies.
- LucíaSí, pero eso es lo que hace la serie divertida.Yes, but that is what makes the series funny.
- MateoEs verdad, Lucía, me hacen reír mucho.It is true, Lucia, they make me laugh a lot.
- LucíaA mí también, Mateo.Me too, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
