Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| inteligentón | /intelixenton/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| sabiondo | /saˈbjondo/ | masculine, alternative form |
| sabihondo | /saˈbjondo/ | masculine |
The terms used to translate 'smartass' vary depending on whether you want to describe someone who is being insolent, someone who acts like a know-it-all or someone being excessively clever or sly. Using inteligentón suggests someone is acting 'too smart' in a mocking way. The term sabihondo or sabiondo is used for a 'know-it-all' or 'smartypants' who pretends to know everything. In informal settings, you might use listillo or listilla to describe someone who is being excessively clever or sly.
What does it mean word for word?
While '-ón' is typically an augmentative, in this context it adds a pejorative or mocking nuance to the base word.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ in their specific connotations: inteligentón focuses on someone acting 'too smart', whereas sabihondo specifically implies someone who pretends to know everything or is a 'know-it-all'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can use sabelotodo to describe someone who constantly acts like a know-it-all or the phrase listillo/listilla de turno for a similar effect. The spelling sabiondo is a common alternative to sabihondo and is used interchangeably in many Spanish-speaking regions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun sabihondo has the feminine form sabihonda.
How do you pronounce it?
/intelixenton/
Did you know?
- The term sabiondo shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'sapid', which refers to things that have a strong, pleasant taste.
- The Spanish word listo is a linguistic trap. Depending on the context and the tone, it can mean either 'clever' as a compliment or 'sly and cunning' as an insult, much like 'smartass'.
- In Spain, adding de turno to listillo implies that the person is just the latest in a long line of annoying know-it-alls.
Examples in context
- ¡No te pongas tan listillo/listilla! No sabes tanto como crees.Don't be such a smartass! You don't know as much as you think you do.
- Deja de comportarte como un sabihondo/sabihonda y presta atención a los demás.Stop acting like a smartass and pay attention to others.
- ¡No seas un sabelotodo! Nadie te ha preguntado.Don't be a smartass! No one asked you.
- No seas tan inteligentón con nosotros.Don't be such a smartass with us.
- Ese niño es un inteligentón.That boy is a smartass.
- Me molesta cuando actúa como un inteligentón.It bothers me when he acts like a smartass.
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing a coworker's attitude.
- Javier¿Viste cómo le respondió al jefe?Did you see how he responded to the boss?
- MaríaSí, es un tremendo inteligentón.Yes, he is a huge smartass.
- JavierCree que lo sabe todo.He thinks he knows everything.
- MaríaExacto, siempre tiene una respuesta insolente.Exactly, he always has an insolent response.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smartass” translations and entries sabiondo, sabihondo, 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 sabihondo, sabiondo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
