Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| estúpido | /esˈtupido/ |
| gilí | /xiˈli/ |
| pendejo | /penˈdexo/ |
| tonto | /ˈtonto/ |
The term is used to describe someone or something that is lacking in intelligence.
Which one should you use?
While estúpido is a standard term, tonto is a milder and less offensive way to describe someone as silly or foolish. Bobo/a can be used to mean silly or dumb, and pelotudo/a is a slang term used to portray someone as a jerk or a stupid person.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal context, the word necio/a is used to denote someone who is unwilling to see or accept reason. In informal settings, you might use bobo/a for silly or dumb. For vulgar slang, pendejo is used to call someone an idiot and carries much more aggression than estúpido.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The slang term pelotudo/a is prevalent in Argentina.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective estúpido must change its ending to estúpida when referring to a female subject. It becomes estúpidos when describing a group of males or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈtupido/
Did you know?
- The vulgar slang term pendejo has a surprising biological origin, tracing back to the Latin word for 'pubic hair'.
Examples in context
- Él no es estúpido.He is not stupid.This sentence shows the negative form of the adjective estúpido.Tatoeba #535492 by Leono, translation #302395 by CK
- No te dije estúpido.I didn't call you stupid.This sentence uses the adjective estúpido in a negative context.Tatoeba #3390081 by marcelostockle, translation #2275824 by CK
- Mi amigo es estúpido.My friend is stupid.This sentence uses the adjective estúpido to describe a person.Tatoeba #2112500 by hayastan, translation #2063996 by scorpione24r
- No seas tonto/a, eso no tiene sentidoDon't be silly, that doesn't make sense
- No hay nadie en este mundo que no sea un poco tonto. Algunos solo llevan esa cualidad al siguiente nivelThere's no one in this world who isn't a little stupid. Some just take that quality to the next level
- ¿Eres un mago? Porque cada vez que abres la boca, las tonterías salen volandoAre you a magician? Because every time you open your mouth, nonsense flies out
- El mundo estaría lleno de risas si la estupidez fuera contagiosaThe world would be filled with laughter if stupidity were contagious
- 226 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are discussing a bad movie.
- Daniel¿Te gustó la película, Elena?Did you like the movie, Elena?
- ElenaNo, el guion es estúpido.No, the script is stupid.
- DanielTienes razón, es muy mala.You're right, it's very bad.
- ElenaDaniel, no perdamos más tiempo.Daniel, let's not waste any more time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stupid” translations and entries estúpido, gilí, pendejo, tonto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estúpido, gilí, pendejo, tonto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
