renacuajo
/renaˈkwaxo/
The English phrase "little bastard" can be translated into Spanish as renacuajo.
renacuajo is a colloquial term used to describe a mischievous child. While it literally means tadpole, it is used colloquially to refer to a mischievous child, similar to the English 'little bastard' or 'little rascal'.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, renacuajo means "tadpole."
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the term plural, add -s to the end: renacuajos.
How do you pronounce it?
/renaˈkwaxo/
Did you know?
- While renacuajo is playful, calling a child a 'bastard' using the literal translation bastardo is a severe insult and is never used affectionately.
- The word renacuajo is actually a double diminutive, having evolved from ranueco, which was already a diminutive of rana meaning 'frog'.
- The use of renacuajo as a nickname for a child mirrors a broader Spanish habit of using animal names, like pollito for 'little chick', as terms of endearment.
Examples in context
- Siempre está rompiendo los juguetes. ¡Maldito crío!He's always breaking toys. Little bastard!
- ¡Ven aquí, pequeño renacuajo!Come here, you little rascal!
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are watching their young nephew play.
- AlejandroEste renacuajo rompió el juguete.This little bastard broke the toy.
- ElenaSolo está jugando, Alejandro.He is just playing, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEs un renacuajo muy inquieto.He is a very restless little bastard.
- ElenaEs igual a ti cuando eras niño.He is just like you when you were a child.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry renacuajo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries renacuajo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
