revoltoso
/rebolˈtoso/
The English word "rowdy" translates to Spanish as revoltoso.
The term revoltoso is frequently used to describe children or students who are being disruptive or difficult to control.
Meaning: rough and disorderly (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you may use Juerguista to mean "party animal". In Argentina, the word Zarpado is used to express the idea of being "wild" or "outrageous".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective revoltoso must agree with the noun it describes. Use revoltosa for a feminine singular noun, revoltosos for a masculine plural noun or a mixed-gender group and revoltosas for a feminine plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/rebolˈtoso/
Did you know?
- The root of revoltoso is the word revolución, meaning 'revolution'. This links the act of being a 'rowdy' child to the concept of an uprising or overturning the established order.
- While revoltoso describes the person, Spanish speakers use the phrase armar un escándalo to describe the act of becoming rowdy. It literally means 'to build a scandal'.
- While revoltoso is often used for children, using it for an adult in a formal setting can be seen as highly condescending, as if you are treating them like a disobedient toddler.
Examples in context
- Los estudiantes se comportaron de manera alborotadoraThe students behaved in a rowdy manner.
- Ayer la fiesta estuvo muy bulliciosaYesterday, the party was very rowdy.
- Los niños se pusieron traviesos durante la funciónThe children got rowdy during the performance.
- Los amigos se pusieron bulliciosos después de unas copas.The friends got rowdy after a few drinks.
- Esa fiesta fue increíble, todos estaban muy juerguistas.That party was amazing, everyone was very rowdy.
- Los niños están muy revoltosos hoy.The children are being very rowdy today.
- El grupo de niños es muy revoltoso.The group of children is very rowdy.
- Tuvimos un vecino muy revoltoso.We had a very rowdy neighbor.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about their nephew.
- JavierTu sobrino es un niño muy revoltoso.Your nephew is a very rowdy boy.
- SofíaSí, siempre está saltando por toda la casa.Yes, he is always jumping all over the house.
- Javier¿Cómo haces para controlarlo?How do you manage to control him?
- SofíaEs difícil porque es demasiado revoltoso.It is difficult because he is too rowdy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry revoltoso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
