bajo fondo
/baxo fondo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'low life' can be translated into Spanish as bajo fondo.
The term is used to describe a person who lives in the poorest and most criminal part of a city.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, particularly Venezuela and parts of the Caribbean, you may use the informal terms Malandro or Maleante to refer to a low-life or a thug.
Did you know?
- In some Caribbean regions, calling someone a malandro does not just imply they are a 'low life' but suggests they are an active member of an organized street gang.
- The word fondo is a phonetic doublet of hondo, meaning 'deep'. Spanish kept the 'f' in fondo to distinguish the noun 'bottom' from the adjective 'deep'.
- The word maleante shares a root with the English word 'malice' and refers to someone who lives by 'malicia' or street smarts used for criminal ends.
Examples in context
- No debemos tolerar a ese individuo de baja calidad moral en nuestra comunidad.We should not tolerate that low-life individual in our community.
- No quiero perder mi tiempo con un individuo de poca valía como él.I don't want to waste my time on a low-life individual like him.
- Ese malandrín no respeta a nadie en este vecindario.That low-life doesn't respect anyone in this neighborhood.
- No quiero tener nada que ver con ese canalla.I want nothing to do with that low-life scoundrel.
- Ese vago solo busca vivir de los demás, es un verdadero holgazán.That lazy low-life just wants to live off others, he's a real good-for-nothing.
- No le prestes atención a esa basura humana, no vale la pena.Don't pay attention to that low-life, it's not worth it.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are discussing a suspicious person they saw.
- AlejandroEse hombre parece alguien del bajo fondo.That man looks like a low life.
- ElenaSí, ten cuidado con tus cosas, Alejandro.Yes, be careful with your things, Alejandro.
- AlejandroNo creo que sea peligroso, solo se ve pobre.I don't think he's dangerous, he just looks poor.
- ElenaMejor alejémonos de cualquier bajo fondo.It's better if we stay away from any low life.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bajo, fondo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
