hombre feo
/ombɾe feo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'ugly man' is translated into Spanish as hombre feo.
This phrase is used to describe a man who is not pleasant to look at.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hombre (man) and feo (ugly).
How do you pronounce it?
/ombɾe feo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the feminine adjective 'fea' with the masculine noun 'hombre'.
Did you know?
- The word hombre shares its ancient roots with the concept of an 'earthling'. It descends from a Proto-Indo-European word that specifically linked humanity to the earth.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone feo can be softened by adding the diminutive feíto to make the critique sound less harsh or even affectionate.
- While hombre feo is the literal translation, Spanish speakers often use the phrase feo como un espanto to describe a man who is exceptionally ugly, comparing him to a ghost or a fright.
Examples in context
- Un hombre feo llamó a mi puerta.An ugly man knocked on my door.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use hombre feo in a basic sentence.Tatoeba #526341 by Shishir, translation #73119 by CK
- No deberíamos juzgar a las personas por su apariencia física, pero ese hombre es indiscutiblemente feo.We shouldn't judge people by their physical appearance, but that man is indisputably ugly.
- Aquel hombre feo es mi primo.That ugly man is my cousin.
- No me gusta ese hombre feo.I don't like that ugly man.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are looking at a photo of a stranger.
- Alejandro¿Viste a ese hombre feo en la foto?Did you see that ugly man in the photo?
- ElenaSí, es un hombre feo.Yes, he is an ugly man.
- AlejandroParece un actor de una película de terror.He looks like an actor from a horror movie.
- ElenaTienes razón, Alejandro.You are right, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries feo, hombre, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
