bobo
/ˈbobo/
The English word 'goofy' can be translated into Spanish as bobo. If unsure, use bobo. Wiktionary also lists tonto and tribilín.
Meaning: quirky or silly, often in a humorous manner (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bobo | /ˈbobo/ | |
| tonto | /ˈtonto/ | |
| tribilín | /tɾibilin/ (from spelling rules) | Bolivia |
The term is used to describe someone who is quirky or silly, often in a humorous manner. You can also use the noun form bobada to refer to a silly act or a piece of nonsense.
Which one should you use?
While tonto carries a stronger connotation of being stupid or foolish and can be perceived as more insulting, bobo is a milder, more playful way to describe someone as silly or goofy.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bolivia, the Disney character Goofy is known as Tribilín.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective bobo must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, changing to bobos for masculine plural or bobas for feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbobo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish speaking cultures, calling a romantic partner bobo or bobito is often a term of endearment.
- In some dialects, hacer el bobo means to pretend to be clueless to avoid a responsibility.
- The word bobo comes from the Latin word balbus, which means 'stuttering'.
Examples in context
- Ella hizo un chiste ridículoShe made a goofy joke.
- Deja de actuar como un payasoStop acting like a goofball.
- Eres tan chistosoYou are so goofy!
- Mi hermano siempre hace cosas tontas cuando está con sus amigosMy brother always does goofy things when he is with his friends
- Es tan ridículo que siempre se tropieza con las mismas piedrasHe is so goofy that he always trips over the same stones
- Deja de actuar como un payaso, este es un asunto serioStop acting like a goofball, this is a serious matter
- No puedo evitar reírme cuando mi amiga hace cosas chistosasI can't help but laugh when my friend does goofy things
- No seas tan bobo.Don't be so goofy.
- Ese es un nombre muy bobo.That is a very silly name.
- Él tiene un sentido del humor bobo.He has a goofy sense of humor.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are watching a funny comedy show.
- DanielEste actor es muy bobo.This actor is very goofy.
- ElenaSí, me hace mucha gracia.Yes, he cracks me up.
- Daniel¿Te gusta su estilo bobo?Do you like his silly style?
- Elena¡Claro que sí!Of course I do!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “goofy” translations and entries bobo, tonto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bobo, tonto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
