Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| tonto | /ˈtonto/ |
| bobo | /ˈbobo/ |
These words are used to describe someone showing a lack of good sense or wisdom. For example, you can use the phrase No seas tonto as a common way to tell someone they are being foolish or making a mistake.
Which one should you use?
The forms vary significantly in intensity. bobo is a much milder word that can be used playfully or affectionately. In contrast, tonto is more derogatory, carries a stronger weight of being an insult and can be perceived as more offensive and harsh.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the informal word pavo/a is used to mean silly or foolish. In Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Central America, you may hear zonzo/a to describe someone silly or foolish. In Argentina specifically, the slang term boludo/a is used to mean silly or foolish.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adjectives in Spanish must agree in gender with the person being described. For a female, you would use tonta. To describe a group of people, use the masculine plural form tontos.
How do you pronounce it?
{'ipa': '/ˈtonto/'}
Did you know?
- In Spain, you can call someone silly by using the word pavo or pava, which literally translates to 'turkey'.
- The word bobo likely traces its roots back to the Latin word balbus, which means 'stuttering'.
- Across the Romance languages, descendants of the same root for 'silly' appear in Italian tonto, Portuguese tonto and Romanian tont.
Examples in context
- Tom es un tonto.Tom is a silly man.This sentence uses tonto to describe a man.Tatoeba #1844195 by hayastan, translation #1527000 by Spamster
- No seas tan tonto.Don't be so silly.This sentence uses tonto to tell someone not to be foolish.Tatoeba #1210406 by cueyayotl, translation #1209940 by Scott
- Sé que suena tonto.I know it sounds silly.This sentence uses tonto to describe a sound.Tatoeba #4398461 by pchamorro, translation #3375759 by CK
- Esa idea es tonta.That idea is silly.
- Pensar eso sería ingenuo.Thinking that would be silly/naïve.
- No seas bobo/a y toma una decisión sensata.Don't be silly/foolish and make a sensible decision.
- ¡Qué tonto/a eres!How silly/stupid you are!
- Siempre haces cosas chistosas.You always do silly/funny things.
- Dejaste tu cartera en casa. ¡Eres un/a pavo/a!You left your wallet at home. You're so silly!
- No seas zonzo/a y presta atención.Don't be silly/foolish and pay attention.
- No digas pavadas, boludo/a.Don't say silly things, silly/foolish.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are arguing about a bad decision.
- AlejandroFuiste muy tonto al hacer eso.You were very foolish to do that.
- SofíaNo me digas tonto, Alejandro.Don't call me foolish, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEs la verdad, fue un error tonto.It's the truth, it was a foolish mistake.
- SofíaSolo fue un pequeño descuido.It was just a small oversight.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “silly” translations and entries tonto, bobo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bobo, tonto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
