irónico
/iˈɾoniko/
The English word "ironic" is translated into Spanish as irónico.
The word is used to describe something characterized by irony.
Meaning: characterized by irony (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the expression es una joda can be used to express irony.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, irónico must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form irónica for feminine nouns, the masculine plural form irónicos for masculine plural nouns and the feminine plural form irónicas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/iˈɾoniko/
Did you know?
- The word irónico traces its lineage back to the Ancient Greek word εἰρωνικός, which was used to describe the character of a specific type of actor who feigned ignorance.
- While irónico describes a situation, Spanish speakers often use the word curioso to describe a coincidence that an English speaker would call 'ironic'.
- In some regions, when someone is being irónico in a way that is too obvious, a speaker might exclaim ¡No me digas!, which literally means 'do not tell me'.
Examples in context
- Fue irónico.It was ironic.This sentence shows how to state that something was ironic using irónico.Tatoeba #1535397 by marcelostockle, translation #1471918 by CM
- Irónico, ¿verdad?Ironic, isn't it?This sentence is useful for asking a rhetorical question about something being ironic using irónico.Tatoeba #1180539 by Shishir, translation #1111695 by Scott
- Es bastante irónico.It's rather ironic.This sentence demonstrates how to describe something as being quite ironic using irónico.Tatoeba #2247350 by marcelostockle, translation #2021190 by Spamster
- Es irónico que después de tanto tiempo estudiando francés no haya aprendido ni una palabra.It's ironic that after all this time studying French, I haven't learned a single word.
- Es curioso que, después de criticar la televisión, te hayas convertido en un famoso presentador.It's curious that, after criticizing television, you've become a famous host.
- ¡Qué irónico! Después de buscar en todas partes, encontré mis llaves en mi bolsillo.How ironic! After searching everywhere, I found my keys in my pocket.
- ¡Qué curioso que llegues tarde el día que decidimos empezar a tiempo!How peculiar that you're late on the day we decided to start on time!
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Daniel are talking about a strange coincidence.
- SofíaEs irónico que perdiera mis llaves hoy.It is ironic that I lost my keys today.
- Daniel¿Por qué es irónico, Sofía?Why is it ironic, Sofía?
- SofíaPorque ayer compré un rastreador de llaves.Because yesterday I bought a key tracker.
- DanielVaya, eso sí que es irónico.Wow, that really is ironic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ironic” translations and entries irónico, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries irónico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
