What does it mean word for word?
The word malcriado is composed of mal, meaning bad and criado, meaning raised or brought up, so it literally means badly raised.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the informal term pijo(a) can be used to mean posh or spoiled. In many parts of Latin America and other Spanish-speaking regions, Malcriado(a) is a common informal way to say someone is spoiled or ill-mannered. In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, the term mocoso(a) is often used to refer to a spoiled child. In some Latin American countries, particularly in Mexico, consentido(a) is used as a milder version of a spoiled brat, describing someone who is pampered or indulged.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female spoiled brat, use the feminine forms niña malcriada. For a group of spoiled brats, use the plural form niños malcriados.
How do you pronounce it?
/niɲo malkɾjado/
Did you know?
- Using the word mocoso to describe a spoiled child is quite literal, as it refers to a child with a 'runny nose' or 'snot'.
- The word niño shares a distant linguistic connection to English words like 'nanny' or 'nana', which also derive from imitative, infantile sounds.
- Because malcriado is an adjective describing how one was raised, it can be applied to adults to describe someone who is rude or lacks manners, not just children.
Examples in context
- Te comportas como un niño malcriado.You're acting like a spoiled brat.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to use niño malcriado when describing someone's behavior.Tatoeba #10202329 by Shishir, translation #5374264 by Hybrid
- Es difícil tratar con ese niño mimado.Dealing with that spoiled child is difficult.
- Mi jefe es una persona consentida, siempre espera que todos hagan todo por él.My boss is a spoiled brat, he always expects everyone to do everything for him.
- Mis vecinos tienen niños malcriados que siempre causan problemas.My neighbors have ill-mannered children who always cause trouble.
- Ese niño siempre se sale con la suya, es muy consentido.That child always gets their way, they're very spoiled.
- ¡Deja de lloriquear, mocoso malcriado!Stop whining, you spoiled brat!
- Ese niño malcriado rompió el juguete.That spoiled brat broke the toy.
- No seas un niño malcriado.Don't be a spoiled brat.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are watching a child have a tantrum in a park.
- JavierMira a ese niño malcriado gritando.Look at that spoiled brat screaming.
- SofíaEs verdad, parece muy frustrada su madre.It is true, his mother looks very frustrated.
- JavierÉl siempre consigue lo que quiere.He always gets what he wants.
- SofíaQué situación tan difícil para ella.What a difficult situation for her.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries malcriado, niño, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
