Language
Spanish swear words
A guide to swearing in Spanish: 88 words and phrases from the Swear Atlas catalogue, organised from mild to strong and explained in plain English. Every entry links to its full page with meaning, pronunciation and a 1–5 Burn Rating.
Common Spanish swear words
The recognisable everyday expressions, with what each one actually means.
- maldito It means 'damned' and is often used as a curse or to intensify an insult. In some contexts, it can have a literal religious connotation. 2/5 · Coarse
- pinche It's used as an insulting intensifier, similar to 'fucking' or 'lousy.' In a literal sense, it refers to a kitchen assistant, but that's not how it's commonly used. 3/5 · Vulgar
- putear It means to insult or mistreat someone, essentially giving them a hard time. The exact meaning can vary by region, and it isn't always sexual in nature. 3/5 · Vulgar
- cabrito It's a milder way to tease or insult someone, serving as a substitute for a stronger term like 'cabrón.' Literally, it means 'young goat.' 2/5 · Coarse
- cagallón It's a coarse term for a piece of excrement, essentially meaning 'turd.' 2/5 · Coarse
- cochino It means filthy or dirty-minded, often used to insult someone's character. The literal translation is 'pig,' but in this context, it's about someone's sleazy behavior. 2/5 · Coarse
- culicagado This is an insult aimed at a brat or an immature kid, implying they're a bit of a pain in the arse. Literally, it translates to 'shit-bottomed.' 2/5 · Coarse
- culo This refers to the buttocks, often used in a crude way to talk about someone's backside. It can also be used in more neutral contexts, though that's less common. 2/5 · Coarse
Milder expressions
Gentler exclamations and everyday grumbles.
- caca This is a childlike term for poop, often used in a playful or non-serious context. 1/5 · Mild
- pedo Pedo literally means 'fart', but in Mexico, it can also refer to being drunk or to describe a problem in certain phrases. 1/5 · Mild
- tonto Literally “fool”. It means silly or stupid, often used as a mild insult. Depending on the tone, it can come off as either affectionate or hostile. 1/5 · Mild
- cabrito It's a milder way to tease or insult someone, serving as a substitute for a stronger term like 'cabrón.' Literally, it means 'young goat.' 2/5 · Coarse
- cagallón It's a coarse term for a piece of excrement, essentially meaning 'turd.' 2/5 · Coarse
- cochino It means filthy or dirty-minded, often used to insult someone's character. The literal translation is 'pig,' but in this context, it's about someone's sleazy behavior. 2/5 · Coarse
- culicagado This is an insult aimed at a brat or an immature kid, implying they're a bit of a pain in the arse. Literally, it translates to 'shit-bottomed.' 2/5 · Coarse
- culo This refers to the buttocks, often used in a crude way to talk about someone's backside. It can also be used in more neutral contexts, though that's less common. 2/5 · Coarse
Stronger stuff
The heavier end of the scale — handle with care.
- me cago en Dios This is a strong blasphemous exclamation that expresses frustration or anger. Literally, it translates to 'I shit on God.' 5/5 · Extreme
- me cago en la hostia This phrase expresses strong frustration or anger, often directed at someone or something. Literally, it translates to 'I shit on the communion host,' which adds a layer of blasphemy. 5/5 · Extreme
- cabrón It's a strong insult similar to calling someone a bastard, though it can also be used in a more friendly or admiring way depending on context. Literally, it means 'male goat.' 4/5 · Strong
- cabrón de mierda Literally “bastard of shit”. This is a strong insult expressing contempt, akin to calling someone a 'fucking bastard.' 4/5 · Strong
- cabronazo It's an emphatic insult for someone who is nasty or shameless. Literally, it translates to 'big bastard.' 4/5 · Strong
- chingado It means something like 'fucked' or ruined, often used to emphasize a negative situation. It's a strong word that conveys frustration or anger. 4/5 · Strong
- chingar It primarily means to fuck, but can also mean to bother or ruin something depending on the context. Its literal translation is 'to have sex.' 4/5 · Strong
- chucha It's a vulgar exclamation that refers to female genitalia in various South American countries. The meaning can vary significantly depending on the country, so context matters. 4/5 · Strong
Spanish insults
Words aimed at a person rather than shouted at the world.
- cabrón It's a strong insult similar to calling someone a bastard, though it can also be used in a more friendly or admiring way depending on context. Literally, it means 'male goat.' 4/5 · Strong
- cabrón de mierda Literally “bastard of shit”. This is a strong insult expressing contempt, akin to calling someone a 'fucking bastard.' 4/5 · Strong
- cabronazo It's an emphatic insult for someone who is nasty or shameless. Literally, it translates to 'big bastard.' 4/5 · Strong
- chupapollas Literally “penis sucker”. It's a sexualized insult that roughly translates to 'cocksucker'. It's not a neutral term when aimed at someone. 4/5 · Strong
- jódete Literally “fuck yourself”. It's a hostile retort similar to saying 'screw you' or 'tough luck.' 4/5 · Strong
- mamahuevo Literally “egg/testicle sucker”. It's a strong personal insult, essentially calling someone a 'sucker of eggs or testicles.' 4/5 · Strong
- que te follen This is a strong way to tell someone to fuck off or get lost. It literally means 'may they fuck you,' emphasizing a harsh dismissal. 4/5 · Strong
- que te jodan Literally “may they fuck you”. It's a strong, hostile dismissal similar to saying 'fuck you.' 4/5 · Strong
Expressions & phrases
Multi-word expressions and set phrases.
- maldita sea Literally “may it be damned”. This is an exclamation similar to saying 'damn it.' It's a way to express frustration or annoyance. 2/5 · Coarse
- me cago en la mar This is a euphemistic way to express annoyance or frustration. Literally, it translates to 'I shit in the sea.' 2/5 · Coarse
- a la mierda This phrase means 'to hell with it' and is used as a dismissive exclamation. It literally translates to 'to the shit.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- de mierda Literally “of shit”. It means something is shitty, lousy, or contemptible. It's often used to describe something negatively. 3/5 · Vulgar
- me cago en la leche This is an exclamation of frustration, expressing annoyance or disbelief. Literally, it translates to 'I shit in the milk,' which adds a bit of absurdity to the sentiment. 3/5 · Vulgar
- me la pela It means 'I don't give a fuck' and expresses a strong sense of indifference. 3/5 · Vulgar
- me la suda Literally “it makes it sweat”. It means 'I don't give a fuck.' It's a way to express indifference or lack of concern about something. 3/5 · Vulgar
- que te den Literally “may they give it to you”. It's a rude way to tell someone to go to hell, similar to saying 'screw you.' 3/5 · Vulgar
How to pronounce them
An English-friendly “sounds like” cue for each.
- caca Sounds like “KAH-kah”. 1/5 · Mild
- pedo Sounds like “PAY-do”. 1/5 · Mild
- tonto Sounds like “TON-toh”. 1/5 · Mild
- cabrito Sounds like “ka-BREE-toh”. 2/5 · Coarse
- cagallón Sounds like “ka-ga-YON”. 2/5 · Coarse
- cochino Sounds like “ko-CHEE-no”. 2/5 · Coarse
- culicagado Sounds like “koo-lee-ka-GAH-do”. 2/5 · Coarse
- culo Sounds like “KOO-loh”. 2/5 · Coarse
Curious literal translations
What these expressions say word-for-word, versus what they really mean.
- tonto Literally “fool” — It means silly or stupid, often used as a mild insult. Depending on the tone, it can come off as either affectionate or hostile. 1/5 · Mild
- guarrada Literally “dirty thing” — It refers to something filthy, obscene, or unfair. It can also imply a dirty trick rather than anything sexual. 2/5 · Coarse
- maldita sea Literally “may it be damned” — This is an exclamation similar to saying 'damn it.' It's a way to express frustration or annoyance. 2/5 · Coarse
- bastardo Literally “person born outside marriage” — It's an insult for someone you consider despicable or contemptible. The literal meaning refers to a person born outside of marriage, which carries a social stigma. 3/5 · Vulgar
- cagada Literally “act of shitting” — It refers to a serious mistake or a mess-up. The literal sense relates to shitting, which can sometimes be implied in context. 3/5 · Vulgar
- cagar Literally “defecate” — It's a vulgar way to say 'to shit' but can also mean to screw something up in certain expressions. 3/5 · Vulgar
- capullo Literally “bud/cocoon; glans” — It's an insult for someone who's being a complete idiot or obnoxious. Literally, it refers to a bud or cocoon, but that's not the point here. 3/5 · Vulgar
- carajo Literally “penis” — It’s an exclamation of annoyance or emphasis, similar to saying 'damn' or 'fuck.' 3/5 · Vulgar
How strong is Spanish swearing?
Burn Rating spread across all 88 Spanish entries (1 = mild, 5 = extreme).
- 1 · Mild 3
- 2 · Coarse 18
- 3 · Vulgar 45
- 4 · Strong 20
- 5 · Extreme 2
All Spanish words A–Z
A
- a la mierda This phrase means 'to hell with it' and is used as a dismissive exclamation. It literally translates to 'to the shit.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- acojonado It means scared stiff or intimidated. Essentially, it's a way to describe someone who's completely freaked out. 3/5 · Vulgar
- acojonante This is a vulgar adjective used to describe something as astonishing, awesome, or frightening. It can carry both positive and negative connotations depending on the context. 3/5 · Vulgar
- acojonar It means to frighten or intimidate someone. In a reflexive form, it can also mean to become scared oneself. 3/5 · Vulgar
- agilipollado It describes someone acting like an idiot or being mentally sluggish. It's not a medical term, just a colorful way to call someone dim-witted. 3/5 · Vulgar
B
- bastardo It's an insult for someone you consider despicable or contemptible. The literal meaning refers to a person born outside of marriage, which carries a social stigma. 3/5 · Vulgar
- boludo It means idiot or fool, but can also be used as a friendly term among pals. The literal translation is 'big-balled.' 3/5 · Vulgar
C
- cabrito It's a milder way to tease or insult someone, serving as a substitute for a stronger term like 'cabrón.' Literally, it means 'young goat.' 2/5 · Coarse
- cabrón It's a strong insult similar to calling someone a bastard, though it can also be used in a more friendly or admiring way depending on context. Literally, it means 'male goat.' 4/5 · Strong
- cabrón de mierda This is a strong insult expressing contempt, akin to calling someone a 'fucking bastard.' 4/5 · Strong
- cabronazo It's an emphatic insult for someone who is nasty or shameless. Literally, it translates to 'big bastard.' 4/5 · Strong
- caca This is a childlike term for poop, often used in a playful or non-serious context. 1/5 · Mild
- cagada It refers to a serious mistake or a mess-up. The literal sense relates to shitting, which can sometimes be implied in context. 3/5 · Vulgar
- cagallón It's a coarse term for a piece of excrement, essentially meaning 'turd.' 2/5 · Coarse
- cagar It's a vulgar way to say 'to shit' but can also mean to screw something up in certain expressions. 3/5 · Vulgar
- cagón It's an insult for someone who is cowardly or lacking in bravery. Literally, it translates to 'person who shits.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- capullo It's an insult for someone who's being a complete idiot or obnoxious. Literally, it refers to a bud or cocoon, but that's not the point here. 3/5 · Vulgar
- caraculo It's a humorous and insulting term for someone, implying they're foolish or annoying. The literal translation is 'arse face,' but it doesn't actually describe someone's appearance. 3/5 · Vulgar
- carajo It’s an exclamation of annoyance or emphasis, similar to saying 'damn' or 'fuck.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- chingado It means something like 'fucked' or ruined, often used to emphasize a negative situation. It's a strong word that conveys frustration or anger. 4/5 · Strong
- chingar It primarily means to fuck, but can also mean to bother or ruin something depending on the context. Its literal translation is 'to have sex.' 4/5 · Strong
- chingón It’s a slang term used to describe someone or something as badass or very good. It carries a positive connotation, especially in Mexico. 3/5 · Vulgar
- chucha It's a vulgar exclamation that refers to female genitalia in various South American countries. The meaning can vary significantly depending on the country, so context matters. 4/5 · Strong
- chulomierda This is an insult for someone who is an arrogant or swaggering fool. It literally translates to 'shit show-off.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- chupapollas It's a sexualized insult that roughly translates to 'cocksucker'. It's not a neutral term when aimed at someone. 4/5 · Strong
- cochino It means filthy or dirty-minded, often used to insult someone's character. The literal translation is 'pig,' but in this context, it's about someone's sleazy behavior. 2/5 · Coarse
- cojones This term literally means 'testicles' but is often used to express courage or as an emphatic exclamation. It conveys a sense of boldness or audacity in various contexts. 3/5 · Vulgar
- comemierdas It's an insult for someone perceived as contemptible or foolish. Literally, it translates to 'shit eater.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- coñazo It refers to something or someone that is extremely boring or annoying. It's often used to express frustration with a tedious situation or person. 3/5 · Vulgar
- conchudo It's an insult for someone who is shameless or brazen. While it has anatomical roots, it's not typically used literally. 3/5 · Vulgar
- coño It's a vulgar exclamation used to express surprise or annoyance. Literally, it means 'vulva.' 4/5 · Strong
- culero It's a vulgar insult for someone who's unpleasant, cowardly, or mean. Literally, it relates to the arse, but that's more about the insult's tone than its meaning. 3/5 · Vulgar
- culicagado This is an insult aimed at a brat or an immature kid, implying they're a bit of a pain in the arse. Literally, it translates to 'shit-bottomed.' 2/5 · Coarse
- culo This refers to the buttocks, often used in a crude way to talk about someone's backside. It can also be used in more neutral contexts, though that's less common. 2/5 · Coarse
D
- dar por culo It means to annoy or bother someone intensely, but it can also refer to a vulgar sexual act. The literal translation is 'give through the arse.' 4/5 · Strong
- de mierda It means something is shitty, lousy, or contemptible. It's often used to describe something negatively. 3/5 · Vulgar
- desgraciado It's an insult aimed at someone perceived as a wretch or nasty person. Literally, it translates to 'unfortunate person.' 3/5 · Vulgar
E
F
G
- gilipollas It's a vulgar insult for someone who's acting like a fool or an arsehole. It's particularly common in Spain. 3/5 · Vulgar
- gilipollez It refers to nonsense or a stupid act. Essentially, it's a way to call something ridiculous. 3/5 · Vulgar
- gilipuertas This is a milder, comic alternative to 'gilipollas,' which means idiot or fool. It's often used in a light-hearted context rather than as a serious insult. 2/5 · Coarse
- guarrada It refers to something filthy, obscene, or unfair. It can also imply a dirty trick rather than anything sexual. 2/5 · Coarse
I
J
- joda It refers to a joke, a nuisance, or partying, depending on the region. In some contexts, it's a way to express disbelief or seriousness, especially in phrases like 'no es joda.' 2/5 · Coarse
- joder It means to fuck, but can also mean to bother or ruin something. In Spain, it's often used as an exclamation. 4/5 · Strong
- jódete It's a hostile retort similar to saying 'screw you' or 'tough luck.' 4/5 · Strong
- jodido It means screwed or in a difficult situation, often used to emphasize something negatively. It can also mean 'fucked' in a more general sense. 3/5 · Vulgar
- jodienda It refers to an annoying problem or troublesome situation. In a more vulgar sense, it can also relate to sexual matters. 3/5 · Vulgar
L
M
- malafollá It refers to a bad temper or someone who is habitually surly. The literal translation is 'bad fuck', but it’s more about attitude than anything sexual. 3/5 · Vulgar
- maldita sea This is an exclamation similar to saying 'damn it.' It's a way to express frustration or annoyance. 2/5 · Coarse
- maldito It means 'damned' and is often used as a curse or to intensify an insult. In some contexts, it can have a literal religious connotation. 2/5 · Coarse
- mamahuevo It's a strong personal insult, essentially calling someone a 'sucker of eggs or testicles.' 4/5 · Strong
- mamón It's an insult aimed at someone annoying, arrogant, or obnoxious. Literally, it translates to 'sucker.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- me cago en Dios This is a strong blasphemous exclamation that expresses frustration or anger. Literally, it translates to 'I shit on God.' 5/5 · Extreme
- me cago en la hostia This phrase expresses strong frustration or anger, often directed at someone or something. Literally, it translates to 'I shit on the communion host,' which adds a layer of blasphemy. 5/5 · Extreme
- me cago en la leche This is an exclamation of frustration, expressing annoyance or disbelief. Literally, it translates to 'I shit in the milk,' which adds a bit of absurdity to the sentiment. 3/5 · Vulgar
- me cago en la mar This is a euphemistic way to express annoyance or frustration. Literally, it translates to 'I shit in the sea.' 2/5 · Coarse
- me cago en todo This is a strong expression of frustration or annoyance. It literally translates to 'I shit on everything,' but it's not meant to be taken literally. 4/5 · Strong
- me la pela It means 'I don't give a fuck' and expresses a strong sense of indifference. 3/5 · Vulgar
- me la suda It means 'I don't give a fuck.' It's a way to express indifference or lack of concern about something. 3/5 · Vulgar
- meada It refers to a piss or urine left somewhere, essentially the act of urination. It's a straightforward term used in a casual context. 2/5 · Coarse
- mear It means to urinate, specifically in a coarse way—essentially, it’s a way to say 'piss'. 2/5 · Coarse
- mierda It means 'shit' and can express frustration or describe something unpleasant. The literal translation is 'excrement.' 3/5 · Vulgar
P
- pedo Pedo literally means 'fart', but in Mexico, it can also refer to being drunk or to describe a problem in certain phrases. 1/5 · Mild
- pelotudo It's a derogatory term for someone considered a fool or an idiot. Literally, it translates to 'big-balled,' but that's not how it's used in conversation. 3/5 · Vulgar
- pendejada It refers to a stupid act or nonsense. Often used to describe something foolish or trivial. 3/5 · Vulgar
- pendejo It’s primarily an insult meaning fool or asshole in many Latin American countries. Literally, it translates to 'pubic hair,' which adds a layer of insult in context. 3/5 · Vulgar
- pinche It's used as an insulting intensifier, similar to 'fucking' or 'lousy.' In a literal sense, it refers to a kitchen assistant, but that's not how it's commonly used. 3/5 · Vulgar
- polla This is a vulgar term for 'penis' in Spanish, commonly used in everyday speech. In some regions, it can have different, unrelated meanings. 4/5 · Strong
- putada It refers to a dirty trick or an unfortunate situation someone finds themselves in. It's not usually linked to anything sexual. 3/5 · Vulgar
- puteada It's a bout of swearing or verbal abuse, often used in heated moments. Think of it as a string of insults or curses thrown around during an argument. 3/5 · Vulgar
- putear It means to insult or mistreat someone, essentially giving them a hard time. The exact meaning can vary by region, and it isn't always sexual in nature. 3/5 · Vulgar
Q
- que te den It's a rude way to tell someone to go to hell, similar to saying 'screw you.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- que te follen This is a strong way to tell someone to fuck off or get lost. It literally means 'may they fuck you,' emphasizing a harsh dismissal. 4/5 · Strong
- que te jodan It's a strong, hostile dismissal similar to saying 'fuck you.' 4/5 · Strong
S
- soplagaitas It's a comic insult used to call someone a fool or idiot. The literal translation refers to a 'bagpipe blower,' but that's not really the point here. 2/5 · Coarse
- soplapollas It's a vulgar insult for someone considered an idiot. The literal translation is 'penis blower,' which adds a sexually derogatory twist. 4/5 · Strong
T
- tocacojones This refers to someone who persistently annoys or bothers others. The literal translation, 'testicle toucher,' adds a humorous twist but isn't typically used literally. 3/5 · Vulgar
- tonto It means silly or stupid, often used as a mild insult. Depending on the tone, it can come off as either affectionate or hostile. 1/5 · Mild
- tonto del culo This is a strong insult meaning 'stupid idiot.' It literally translates to 'stupid in the arse,' which adds a bit of flair to the insult. 3/5 · Vulgar
V
- verga It commonly refers to the penis but is often used in various emphatic expressions. It serves as a strong intensifier in conversation. 4/5 · Strong
- vete a la mierda It's a hostile way to tell someone to fuck off. The literal translation, 'go to the shit,' emphasizes the disdain but isn't meant to be taken literally. 4/5 · Strong