escoria
/esˈkoɾja/
The English phrase scumbag can be translated into Spanish as escoria.
escoria is used to describe a despicable person. While it can refer to a single individual, it is often used as a collective noun to describe a group of people considered worthless or despicable.
Meaning: despicable person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, escoria means dross or scum, referring to the impurities that float on top of molten metal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you wish to be polite and formal, you can use the phrase Sujeto sin escrúpulos to refer to a person without scruples. For an informal expression used to express contempt, you might use Malnacido, which is similar to the English phrase "son of a b****".
How does it change in a sentence?
escoria is a feminine noun, so it is used with feminine articles like la or feminine adjectives.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈkoɾja/
Did you know?
- If you use the word malnacido instead of escoria, you are literally calling someone 'badly born', which implies they were born under a bad star or to bad parents.
- The word escoria traces back to the Ancient Greek word skōría, which also referred to the waste left over from smelting metal.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone escoria can feel more dehumanizing than 'scumbag' because it implies the person is literally waste or dross that should be discarded.
Examples in context
- No puedo creer que ese cabrón me haya engañado una vez más.I can't believe that scumbag fooled me once again.
- No te asocies con personas despreciables, mantén tu círculo social saludable.Don't associate yourself with despicable people, keep your social circle healthy.
- Ese hombre es pura escoria.That man is pure scum.
- No trates con esa escoria.Don't deal with that scumbag.
- La escoria no tiene honor.Scum has no honor.
Example conversation
Elena and Daniel are discussing a dishonest former coworker.
- Elena¿Viste lo que hizo aquel tipo?Did you see what that guy did?
- DanielSí, es una verdadera escoria.Yes, he is a real scumbag.
- ElenaDaniel, no vuelvas a confiar en él.Daniel, don't trust him ever again.
- DanielTienes razón, Elena. No lo haré.You're right, Elena. I won't.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry escoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escoria, CC BY-SA 4.0.
