idiota
/iˈdjota/
The English phrase 'you dumb idiot' is translated into Spanish as idiota.
idiota is an insulting expression used to call someone very stupid. It is common to use the noun alone as an exclamation to insult someone directly, much like shouting 'Idiot!' in English.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term Gilipollas is more commonly used and is equivalent to the English word 'asshole'.
How does it change in a sentence?
idiota is an invariable noun, which means it does not change its ending based on the gender of the person being insulted. To address more than one person, add an 's' to the end to make it idiotas.
How do you pronounce it?
/iˈdjota/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers sometimes use the phrase no tiene dos dedos de frente to describe an idiota, which literally means the person 'does not have two fingers of forehead'.
- The root of idiota is actually the Greek word for a 'private person'. In ancient times, it described someone who did not participate in public or political life, rather than someone lacking intelligence.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling a close friend an idiota in a joking tone can be a sign of intimacy and affection rather than a genuine insult.
Examples in context
- No puedo creer lo que hiciste, eres un imbécilI can't believe what you did, you're an imbecile.
- ¡Eres un idiota!You are an idiot!
- No seas idiota.Don't be an idiot.
- Ese tipo es un idiota.That guy is an idiot.
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing after a mistake in a game.
- María¡Eres un idiota, Alejandro!You are an idiot, Alejandro!
- AlejandroNo soy un idiota.I am not an idiot.
- MaríaLo que hiciste fue de un idiota.What you did was idiotic.
- AlejandroPerdón, no pensé que fuera tan grave.Sorry, I didn't think it was that serious.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry idiota, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries idiota, CC BY-SA 4.0.
