eres un malcriado
/eɾes un malkɾjado/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "you're a brat" is expressed as eres un malcriado.
This phrase is used to describe a child who is spoiled and behaves badly. You can use eres un malcriado to address a child directly, or you can make the expression more explicit by saying eres un niño malcriado.
What does it mean word for word?
The word malcriado is a compound of mal (badly) and criado (raised), which literally means "badly raised".
Which one should you use?
While malcriado implies bad behavior and a lack of discipline, the word consentido focuses more on being pampered or spoiled through affection or gifts. Additionally, you can use eres un niño malcriado to specifically state that someone is a spoiled child.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and several Latin American countries, the phrase Eres un mocoso/a is used to mean "You're a brat" or "You're a snot-nosed kid".
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a female, you must change the gender of the article and the noun to eres una malcriada.
How do you pronounce it?
/eɾes un malkɾjado/
Did you know?
- The verb eres in your phrase is a linguistic fossil. It actually comes from the Latin future tense 'eris', meaning 'you will be', rather than the standard Latin present tense.
- The term malcriado can be used sarcastically among adults to describe someone who is being rude or lacks manners, regardless of their age.
- The term malcriado carries a heavy judgment on parenting, not just the child. Because it literally means 'badly raised', it implies the child's upbringing was faulty.
Examples in context
- Deja de ser tan malcriado y comportarte mejor.Stop being such a brat and behave better
- No sigas comportándote así, que pareces un niño malcriado.Don't keep acting like that, you seem like a bratty child
- Eres un malcriado con tus juguetes.You're a brat with your toys.
- ¡No llores, no eres un malcriado!Don't cry, you're not a brat!
Example conversation
A father is talking to his young son.
- AlejandroRecoge tus juguetes ahora mismo.Pick up your toys right now.
- María¡No quiero! ¡No lo haré!I don't want to! I won't do it!
- AlejandroNo me hables así, eres un malcriado.Don't talk to me like that, you're a brat.
- María¡No es justo!It's not fair!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eres, malcriado, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
