te ves estúpido
/te bes estupido/from spelling rules
The phrase "you look stupid" in Spanish is te ves estúpido.
This phrase is used to tell someone that their appearance makes them seem unintelligent or foolish. It is highly insulting and is used to attack someone's intelligence or dignity based on their appearance or actions.
Which one should you use?
While te ves focuses on physical appearance or how one is currently presenting, pareces focuses more on the impression or quality of being stupid.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the phrase Te ves como un tonto/a means "You look like a fool".
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes to the feminine form estúpida if you are speaking to a woman. Changing the pronoun from te to se changes the subject from "you" to "he" or "she", as in se ve estúpido.
Did you know?
- The word estúpido is borrowed from the Latin word stupidus, which originally described someone who was stunned or amazed.
- In some Spanish speaking regions, the phrase te ves pero estúpido uses the word pero, which usually means 'but', as a tool to make the insult even stronger.
- In many Spanish speaking cultures, calling someone estúpido is considered significantly more aggressive and offensive than the English word 'stupid'.
Examples in context
- Te ves estúpido con ese sombrero.You look stupid with that hat.
- No te pongas esa ropa, te ves estúpido.Don't wear those clothes, you look stupid.
- Si haces esa cara, te ves estúpido.If you make that face, you look stupid.
Example conversation
Mateo is trying on a funny costume for a party.
- Mateo¿Cómo me queda este disfraz, Lucía?How does this costume look on me, Lucía?
- LucíaLa verdad es que te ves estúpido.Truthfully, you look stupid.
- Mateo¡Pero es para dar risa!But it's meant to be funny!
- LucíaSí, pero es demasiado.Yes, but it's too much.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries estúpido, te, ves, CC BY-SA 4.0.
