Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| empollón | /empoˈʝon/ | Spain, masculine |
| mateo | /maˈteo/ | Chile, masculine |
| norio | /noɾjo/ (from spelling rules) | Ecuador, masculine |
| friki | /ˈfɾiki/ | Spain, feminine, masculine |
| nerdo | /ˈneɾdo/ | masculine |
| chancón | /t͡ʃanˈkon/ | masculine |
| nerd | /ˈneɾd/ | feminine, masculine |
| neer | /neeɾ/ (from spelling rules) | Nicaragua, feminine, masculine |
This term describes an intellectual, skillful person, generally introverted. Depending on the context, you might also use ratón de biblioteca to describe someone who spends a lot of time studying or reading or genio informally to refer to someone who is a bit of a nerd due to their advanced knowledge or intellectual prowess.
Which one should you use?
While empollón focuses on being a studious person, friki is used for someone obsessed with specific subcultures like anime, gaming or sci-fi. The English term nerd is widely understood and used in Spanish-speaking communities.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The English loanword nerd is commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries as an informal way to refer to a nerd. friki is a popular slang term used in many Spanish-speaking countries to refer to someone who is passionate about a specific hobby or subject, equivalent to the English slang geek.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the term mateo is used to describe a nerd or a very studious person. In Ecuador, the term norio is used to refer to a nerd. In Nicaragua, you may encounter neer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine form empollón has the feminine form empollona. When using the loanword nerd, it is often treated as an invariable noun. For example, the plural is indicated by the article (los nerds) rather than changing the word ending.
How do you pronounce it?
/empoˈʝon/
Did you know?
- The Spanish term empollón is derived from the verb empollar, which actually means 'to hatch' or 'to brood' in the context of a bird sitting on its eggs.
- While English speakers use 'geek' and 'freak' to describe very different things, the Spanish word friki is a pseudo-anglicism that blends these concepts to mean someone obsessed with niche hobbies.
- If you call someone a ratón de biblioteca in Spanish, you are literally calling them a 'library mouse'.
Examples in context
- ¡Dame tu almuerzo, nerd!Give me your lunch, nerd!This sentence uses nerd to show a playful or aggressive command.Tatoeba #10142848 by ecorralest101, translation #10142847 by espamatics
- Tomás es un verdadero nerd.Tom is a real nerd.This sentence uses nerd to describe someone's character.Tatoeba #5098392 by don_ramon, translation #3633847 by Hybrid
- Pensaba que era un nerd en la prepa, pero en realidad apenas estaba comenzando.I thought I was a nerd in high school, but I was really just getting started.This sentence uses nerd to reflect on a person's past intellectual status.Tatoeba #10129413 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10129410 by shekitten
- Ella es una empollona. Siempre se encuentra en la biblioteca estudiando.She's a bookworm, she's always in the library studying.
- Mi hermano es un friki de la informática.My brother is a computer geek.
- Mi mejor amigo es un nerd de los cómics.My best friend is a comic nerd.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are talking about a classmate who always gets perfect grades.
- ElenaJavier, ¿viste que Marcos sacó diez en el examen?Javier, did you see that Marcos got a ten on the exam?
- JavierSí, ese chico es un empollón.Yes, that guy is a nerd.
- ElenaPero es muy amable cuando le pides ayuda.But he is very kind when you ask him for help.
- JavierTienes razón, es el empollón más simpático de la clase.You're right, he is the nicest nerd in the class.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nerd” translations and entries empollón, mateo, friki, nerdo, chancón, nerd, 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 empollón, friki, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
