tonto
/ˈtonto/
The Spanish phrase for "you fool" is tonto.
tonto is an expression used to call someone unwise or stupid. You can also use the phrase ¡Qué tonto! to mean "How foolish!" or "What a fool!" when reacting to a person or an action. While tonto can be used affectionately or in a mild way, the word estúpido is generally perceived as more aggressive and insulting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and some other Latin American countries, the informal term Pelotudo/a is widely used to mean "fool".
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the word changes to match the gender and number of the people you are addressing: use tonta if you are addressing a female, tontos for a group of men or a mixed-gender group and tontas for a group of only women.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtonto/
Did you know?
- One theory suggests that tonto might actually come from the Latin word for 'to shear', implying someone who is as empty-headed or 'shorn' as a sheep.
- While tonto is often a mild tease, using estúpido in Spanish is far more likely to be taken as a serious personal attack than 'stupid' is in English.
- Depending on the region, calling someone tonto with a specific rising intonation can turn the insult into a playful joke that removes all aggression.
Examples in context
- No seas bobo/a, eso no te convieneDon't be silly, that's not in your best interest
- Eres un tarado/a si crees que eso va a funcionarYou're a fool if you think that's going to work
- ¡No seas tonto!Don't be a fool!
- No te comportes como un tonto.Don't behave like a fool.
Example conversation
Daniel forgot his keys inside the house again.
- Elena¿Otra vez olvidaste las llaves?Did you forget the keys again?
- DanielSí, lo siento mucho.Yes, I am very sorry.
- Elena¡Ay, Daniel, eres un tonto!Oh, Daniel, you are a fool!
- DanielLo sé, lo siento.I know, I'm sorry.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tonto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tonto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
