Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| asqueroso | /askeˈɾoso/ |
| repulsivo | /repulˈsibo/ |
| hecho un asco | /et͡ʃo un asko/ (from spelling rules) |
The term is used to describe something that causes disgust. You can use asqueroso for general disgust, such as a bad smell or a dirty person. The phrase hecho un asco is used to describe a person or thing that is in a very dirty, messy or disheveled state. If you want to express the feeling of disgust or nausea itself, the noun form is asco.
Which one should you use?
While asqueroso is used for general disgust, repulsivo is often more intense and carries a stronger sense of physical or moral repulsion. If you are describing a person or object that is a complete mess, use the phrase hecho un asco.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the colloquialism chungo/a can be used to convey that something is distasteful or disgusting.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective asqueroso must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, the masculine plural form is asquerosos.
How do you pronounce it?
/askeˈɾoso/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use asqueroso to mean 'gross' in a mathematical sense, such as gross income. In those instances, the correct term is bruto.
When do people say it?
To express disgust, particularly among children and young adults, the informal interjection guácala is often used.
Did you know?
- The word asqueroso originally described something full of scabs or crusts from a burn.
Examples in context
- Ese bicho es asqueroso.That bug is gross.This sentence shows how to describe a bug as asqueroso.Tatoeba #2442668 by hayastan, translation #2440423 by MethodGT
- Tom es asqueroso.Tom is gross.This sentence shows how to describe a person as asqueroso.Tatoeba #5879809 by albrusgher, translation #2202915 by CK
- Eso sería asqueroso.That would be gross.This sentence shows how to use the word in a conditional sense.Tatoeba #5879829 by albrusgher, translation #2891953 by CK
- La comida estaba desagradableThe food was gross.
- La situación era repugnanteThe situation was gross.
- ¡Qué asqueroso!How gross!
- ¡Guácala, qué asco!Ew, gross!
- ¡Qué asquerosidad de olor!What a gross smell!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are looking at a spoiled sandwich in the fridge.
- SofíaMira este sándwich, es asqueroso.Look at this sandwich, it's gross.
- AlejandroTienes razón, huele muy mal.You're right, it smells very bad.
- SofíaTíralo a la basura ahora mismo.Throw it in the trash right now.
- AlejandroEstá bien, yo lo hago.All right, I'll do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gross” translations and entries asqueroso, repulsivo, 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 asco, asqueroso, hecho, repulsivo, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
