Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| descarado | /deskaˈɾado/ |
| fresco | /ˈfɾesko/ |
| procaz | /pɾoˈkaθ/ /pɾoˈkas/ |
| cachafaz | /kat͡ʃafaθ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /kat͡ʃafas/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
These terms are used to describe someone who is bold, spirited, cheeky, impudent or saucy.
Which one should you use?
While descarado can be used to mean 'sassy' in a spirited way, it more frequently carries a stronger connotation of being 'shameless' or 'brazen'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal and literary tone describing someone as impudent or insolent, use procaz. For a formal way to convey audacity or impudence, use impertinente. In informal settings, descarado is a common choice, while the colloquial term fresco is used to describe someone being cheeky or acting with a lack of shame.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective descarado must agree with the subject it describes: use descarada for a feminine subject and descarados for a masculine plural subject. If you wish to describe the quality of cheekiness or audacity itself, you can use the noun frescura, which is the noun form of fresco.
How do you pronounce it?
/deskaˈɾado/
Did you know?
- The term descarado is derived from the verb descararse, which literally translates to 'to strip oneself of one's face' (or skin) in a metaphorical sense of losing shame.
- While fresco means 'sassy' or 'cheeky' when describing a person's attitude, it is most commonly used to mean 'cool' or 'fresh' when talking about the weather or food.
- In many Spanish dialects, calling a child descarado can be a term of reluctant admiration for their wit and confidence, rather than a strict scolding.
Examples in context
- Ese niño es muy descarado.That boy is very sassy.
- No seas descarado con tus padres.Don't be impudent with your parents.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are joking around at lunch.
- AlejandroTengo la razón en todo.I am right about everything.
- Elena¡Qué descarado eres, Alejandro!How sassy you are, Alejandro!
- AlejandroSolo digo la verdad.I'm just telling the truth.
- ElenaSigue así y no comerás postre.Keep it up and you won't have dessert.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sassy” translations and entries descarado, fresco, procaz, 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.
