idiota
/iˈdjota/
The English phrase "you idiot" is translated into Spanish as idiota.
idiota is an insulting expression used to call someone stupid. You can use idiota as a standalone exclamation to address someone directly without needing a pronoun like tú or usted. To intensify the insult, you can use the phrase pedazo de idiota, which is similar to saying "you absolute idiot" in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the word is idiotas.
How do you pronounce it?
/iˈdjota/
Did you know?
- The word idiota originally comes from the Greek word for a 'layman' or a 'private person' who did not participate in public political life.
- Because idiota ends in 'a' for both masculine and feminine subjects, it does not change its ending to match the gender of the person being insulted.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling a close friend an idiota can be a sign of affection or a playful tease rather than a genuine insult.
Examples in context
- ¡Idiota! ¡Mira lo que has hecho!You idiot! Look at what you've done!This sentence is useful for seeing idiota used as a direct exclamation to express frustration at someone's actions.Tatoeba #2733311 by Shishir, translation #2733310 by Hybrid
- ¡Pedazo de idiota!You idiot!This sentence shows how to use the intensified phrase pedazo de idiota.Tatoeba #5041194 by don_ramon, translation #418475 by Scott
- ¡Así aprenderás, idiota!That'll teach you, you idiot!This sentence demonstrates how to use idiota when expressing that someone has learned a lesson through their mistake.Tatoeba #2631863 by Shishir, translation #10314930 by DJ_Saidez
- No puedo creer que hiciste eso, ¡eres un gilipollas!I can't believe you did that, you idiot!
- Eres un imbécil por no entenderlo.You're an idiot for not understanding.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro accidentally broke Sofía's favorite mug.
- Sofía¡Eres un idiota, Alejandro!You are an idiot, Alejandro!
- AlejandroLo siento, no fue mi intención.I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.
- Sofía¡Era mi taza favorita!It was my favorite mug!
- AlejandroTe compraré una nueva.I will buy you a new one.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
