cerebrito
/θeɾeˈbɾito/masculine
The English term 'egghead' is translated into Spanish as cerebrito.
The term is used to describe an intellectual. Like the English 'egghead' or 'brainiac', it is used to mock someone.
Meaning: pejorative: intellectual (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word cerebrito is a diminutive of cerebro (brain), literally meaning 'little brain'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term is used informally and carries a mocking or pejorative tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form cerebrito changes to the feminine cerebrita when referring to a female. The plural form is cerebritos.
How do you pronounce it?
/θeɾeˈbɾito/
Did you know?
- The word cerebro is the root of several English words, including 'cerebellum' and 'cerebral', meaning the Spanish root for 'little brain' is a direct linguistic cousin to many English medical terms.
- While cerebrito mocks someone's intelligence, it can also be used endearingly by a parent toward a child who shows early signs of cleverness.
- Unlike the English 'egghead', which references the shape of a head, cerebrito focuses on the organ inside, using a diminutive to make the brain seem insignificantly small.
Examples in context
- ¡No te pongas tan sabiondo, Alex!Don't be such an egghead, Alex!
- Ese cerebrito siempre tiene la respuesta.That egghead always has the answer.
- No seas un cerebrito y sal con nosotros.Don't be such an egghead and come out with us.
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are discussing a difficult homework assignment.
- SofíaDaniel, ¿puedes ayudarme con este problema?Daniel, can you help me with this problem?
- DanielClaro, es muy sencillo de resolver.Sure, it is very simple to solve.
- Sofía¡Qué presumido! Eres un cerebrito, Daniel.How conceited! You're an egghead, Daniel.
- DanielSolo estudio mucho, Sofía.I just study a lot, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “egghead” translations and entries cerebrito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cerebrito, CC BY-SA 4.0.
