Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| nenaza | /nenaθa/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /nenasa/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| endeble | /enˈdeble/ |
| pelele | /peˈlele/ |
| cagado | /kaˈɡado/ |
| cobardón | /kobaɾˈdon/ |
In Spanish, terms for wimpy vary depending on whether you are describing a lack of physical strength, a lack of character or a lack of courage. endeble is used to describe physical or structural weakness. If you want to describe someone as lazy or lacking determination, you might use the informal term flojo or floja. To describe a person who is physically weak or lacks strength, you can use the informal term debilucho or debilucha.
Which one should you use?
The word endeble is a formal term used to describe physical or structural weakness. In contrast, the other terms in this list focus more on a lack of courage or character. cobardón is a variation of cobarde used to mock someone's lack of bravery.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The terms available range from formal to vulgar. Endeble is formal. If you need a vulgar way to say someone is scared, you can use cagado, which implies someone has shat themselves out of fear.
How do you pronounce it?
/nenaθa/
Did you know?
- The word pelele refers to a 'wimpy' person because it originally meant a puppet or a rag doll that can be easily manipulated by others.
- While nenaza describes a 'wimpy' person, the suffix -aza is actually a superlative that usually implies something is very large or great.
- The word endeble shares the same Latin root as the English word 'debilitate', making it a direct linguistic cousin.
Examples in context
- El equipo demostró su actitud cobarde al abandonar el partidoThe team demonstrated their cowardly attitude by abandoning the game
- El hombre nunca se aventura a probar cosas nuevas, es muy miedosoThe man never ventures to try new things, he is very fearful
- No seas una nenaza y dile la verdad.Don't be a wimpy coward and tell him the truth.
- A veces me porto como una nenaza.Sometimes I act like a wimpy person.
Example conversation
Daniel is hesitating to call his boss to apologize.
- María¿Vas a llamar al jefe ahora?Are you going to call the boss now?
- DanielNo lo sé, me da miedo su reacción.I don't know, I'm afraid of his reaction.
- María¡No seas un nenaza, Daniel!Don't be a wimpy coward, Daniel!
- DanielTienes razón, lo haré de una vez.You're right, I'll do it once and for all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wimpy” translations and entries nenaza, endeble, pelele, cagado, cobardón, 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 cagado, endeble, nenaza, pelele, CC BY-SA 4.0.
