ceporro
/θeˈporo/
The Spanish word for nincompoop is ceporro. Wiktionary also lists imbécil and pavitonto.
Meaning: foolish or silly person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| ceporro | /θeˈporo/ /seˈporo/ |
| imbécil | /imˈbeθil/ /imˈbesil/ |
| pavitonto | /pabitonto/ (from spelling rules) |
| alcornoque | /alkoɾˈnoke/ |
These terms are used to describe a foolish or silly person.
Which one should you use?
While all these words refer to a foolish person, imbécil is generally more insulting and carries a sharper, more aggressive tone than ceporro or pavitonto. Additionally, imbécil can be translated as idiot or moron.
How do you pronounce it?
/θeˈporo/
Did you know?
- The word imbécil has a surprising history involving a walking stick. It stems from the Latin 'imbēcillus', meaning 'without a staff', implying someone was too weak to walk without support.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, using pavitonto can be an affectionate way to tease a friend, whereas imbécil is almost always an attack.
- While imbécil is a common insult, the word alcornoque actually refers to a type of tree. It is the Spanish word for the cork oak, suggesting that a foolish person is as thick or dense as wood.
Examples in context
- No seas tan tonto, piensa antes de actuarDon't be such a nincompoop, think before you act
- Eres un bobo, siempre olvidas tus llavesYou're such a nincompoop, you always forget your keys
- Eres un descerebrado, ¡no puedes conducir tan rápido!You're a nincompoop, you can't drive so fast!
Example conversation
Javier forgets how to open a simple door.
- Javier¿Cómo se abre esta puerta, Lucía?How do you open this door, Lucía?
- LucíaSolo tienes que tirar, ¡no seas ceporro!You just have to pull, don't be a nincompoop!
- JavierLo siento, no me fijé en el cartel.Sorry, I didn't notice the sign.
- LucíaEstá bien, Javier, pasa ya.It's okay, Javier, come in now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nincompoop” translations and entries ceporro, imbécil, pavitonto, alcornoque, 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 alcornoque, imbécil, CC BY-SA 4.0.
