Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| travieso | /tɾaˈbjeso/ | |
| maleducado | /maleduˈkado/ | |
| malcriado | /malˈkɾjado/ | |
| maldoso | /malˈdoso/ | |
| malulo | /maˈlulo/ | childish |
| sajurín | /saxuɾin/ (from spelling rules) |
The term travieso is a versatile adjective used to describe mischievous or naughty behavior, especially regarding children or pets. It is the most common way to describe a child who is being a 'little rascal' or acting up in a non-harmful way.
Which one should you use?
Spanish uses different words depending on the specific type of 'naughty' behavior being described. Use travieso for children who are being playful or mischievous rather than truly malicious. Use maleducado when 'naughty' implies a lack of manners or being rude to others. Use malcriado when 'naughty' implies the child is spoiled or has been poorly disciplined. Use maldoso when 'naughty' implies a person is being unkind or acting with bad intent. Finally, malulo is a more childish term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The terms pillín or pillina are colloquial and are frequently used in some Spanish-speaking regions like Mexico and parts of Central America.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective travieso must change its ending to traviesa to agree with a feminine subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɾaˈbjeso/
When do people say it?
While travieso describes playful mischief, the colloquial and endearing terms pillín or pillina are used affectionately to describe children or playful individuals who engage in mischievous behavior.
Did you know?
- The word travieso actually shares a common ancestor with the English word 'transverse', which means to cross or go across.
- Because maleducado implies a lack of manners, using it to describe a 'naughty' child can sound like you are criticizing the parents' discipline directly.
- Unlike 'naughty', which is often used for children, maldoso can be used to describe adults who are subtly malicious or spiteful.
Examples in context
- Él es un niño travieso.He is a naughty boy.This sentence is useful for describing a naughty boy using travieso.Tatoeba #1355641 by marcelostockle, translation #370632 by saeb
- Yo era un niño travieso.I was a naughty boy.Tatoeba #493792 by Shishir, translation #255966 by CM
- Era un travieso cuando era niño.He was naughty when he was a boy.Tatoeba #1439443 by peibolvig, translation #613463 by CK
- El niño se porta de manera traviesa cuando sus padres no están en casa.The boy behaves in a naughty way when his parents are not at home.
- Su comentario fue inoportuno y un poco travieso.His comment was inappropriate and a little naughty.
- ¡Siempre estás haciendo travesuras, pillín!You're always up to mischief, you little rascal!
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are talking about their pet puppy.
- JavierMira a nuestro perro, ¡es muy travieso!Look at our dog, he is very naughty!
- MaríaSí, Javier, rompió mis zapatos hoy.Yes, Javier, he broke my shoes today.
- JavierEs travieso, pero lo queremos mucho.He is naughty, but we love him a lot.
- MaríaTienes razón, es muy lindo.You are right, he is very cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “naughty” translations and entries travieso, maleducado, malcriado, maldoso, malulo, 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 malcriado, maleducado, travieso, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
