Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| idiota | /iˈdjota/ | masculine |
| burro | /ˈburo/ | masculine |
These terms are used to describe a foolish or stupid person. While idiota is a common way to call someone an idiot or a fool, other terms like imbécil can also refer to someone being foolish or stupid and gilipollas is used to express contempt or disdain for someone's behavior.
Which one should you use?
While idiota focuses on a lack of intelligence, burro literally means 'donkey' and is used colloquially to call someone a jackass or a slow learner.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Burro is a colloquial term that can be a slightly more playful or insulting way to call someone a jackass compared to the more direct idiota.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun idiota is invariable, meaning it does not change its form for gender. You use idiota for both men and women.
How do you pronounce it?
/iˈdjota/
Did you know?
- The word idiota was originally a neutral term in Ancient Greece. It referred to an ἰδιώτης, which was simply a 'private person' or a 'layman' as opposed to a politician or public official.
- In some contexts, calling a child a burrito (little donkey) is a playful way to call them a 'little jackass' without being truly mean.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone a burro can specifically imply they are stubborn rather than just unintelligent.
Examples in context
- Lo que ella quiere decir es que eres un idiota.What she is trying to say is that you're a jackass.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to use idiota when stating what someone else is trying to say.Tatoeba #1163693 by alexmarcelo, translation #1331458 by marcelostockle
- ¡No puedo creer que haya hecho eso! ¡Es un completo idiota!I can't believe he did that! He is a complete idiot!
- Dejó el coche abierto toda la noche, ¡es un verdadero imbécil!He left the car unlocked all night, he's a real idiot!
- Está siempre interrumpiendo las conversaciones, es un verdadero gilipollas.He's always interrupting conversations, he's a real jackass.
- No seas un idiota y presta atención.Don't be an idiot and pay attention.
- Ese hombre es un idiota total.That man is a total jackass.
Example conversation
Alejandro is complaining to Lucía about a rude driver.
- AlejandroEse conductor es un idiota.That driver is a jackass.
- LucíaCálmate, Alejandro, no vale la pena.Calm down, Alejandro, it's not worth it.
- AlejandroEs que me gritó sin razón.It's just that he yelled at me for no reason.
- LucíaIgnora a ese idiota y sigue.Ignore that jackass and keep going.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jackass” translations and entries idiota, burro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries burro, idiota, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
