36 Spanish Curse Words and Insults, with Regional Notes
Learn 36 Spanish swear words, insults, and vulgar expressions, with English equivalents and regional notes. Explicit language follows.
On this page
I. A Few RemindersII. Spanish Curse Words with English TranslationsIII. Level 2 Spanish CursingIV. ConclusionThis guide explains offensive Spanish terms so you can recognize them. Meanings and intensity vary widely by country, relationship, and tone, so avoid using them unless you understand the local context.
Content warning: The rest of this article contains vulgar, sexual, discriminatory, and religiously offensive language.
The English equivalents below explain meaning and force; they are not interchangeable in every situation.
I. A Few Reminders
- Learn these terms primarily for recognition. Using them can seriously offend or provoke someone.
- A word that sounds playful among close friends can be hostile in another relationship or country.
- Several entries are slurs targeting sexuality or identity. They are labeled rather than presented as neutral vocabulary.
- The English meanings are approximate. Always consider the country, situation, tone, and speaker.
The list begins with single words and short phrases, followed by longer expressions used mainly in Spain.
II. Spanish Curse Words with English Translations
| Spanish curse words | English Translation or Equivalent | |
| 1 | joder (Spain) | fuck; shit |
| 2 | carajo (Latin America) | fuck; shit |
| 3 | coger (vulgar in much of Latin America; neutral in Spain and some other regions) | to have sex; to fuck |
| 4 | idiota (general) | idiot; fool |
| 5 | estúpido (general) | stupid; idiot |
| 6 | hijo de puta (Spain, Latin America) | son of a bitch |
| 7 | tortillera (Spain and some other regions; derogatory) | homophobic slur for a lesbian |
| 8 | mierda (general) | shit |
| 9 | imbécil (general) | idiot; imbecile |
| 10 | hijo de perra (Spain, Latin America) | son of a bitch |
| 11 | pendejo (meaning varies across Latin America) | idiot; jerk; asshole, depending on region |
| 12 | puta (general; highly offensive when aimed at a person) | whore; bitch |
| 13 | zorra (general; highly offensive when aimed at a person) | bitch; whore |
| 14 | marica (usage varies; derogatory in many contexts) | homophobic slur for a gay or effeminate man |
| 15 | maricón (general; strongly derogatory) | strong homophobic slur for a gay man |
| 16 | ¡coño! (Venezuela and other regions) | damn!; fuck! |
| 17 | maldito (general) | damned; damn you, depending on context |
| 18 | coño (Spain) | vulgar term for the vulva; also an exclamation |
| 19 | apestar (general; “to suck” is regional/colloquial) | to stink; to suck |
| 20 | Bastardo (Spain, Latin America) | bastard |
| 21 | Culo (Spain, Latin America) | ass |
| 22 | Tarado (Latin America) | moron |
| 23 | lamebotas (general) | bootlicker; ass-kisser |
| 24 | vete al demonio (Spain, Latin America) | go to hell |
| 25 | Mamahuevo; mamagüevo (Venezuela) | cocksucker |
| 26 | huevón (Latin America; meaning and tone vary widely) | idiot; lazy person; familiar “dude” in some regions |
| 27 | gilipollas (Spain) | idiot; asshole |
| 28 | cabrón (Spain and Latin America; meaning varies) | bastard; asshole; sometimes a grudging compliment |
| 29 | malparido (used in several Latin American countries) | despicable person; son of a bitch |
| 30 | ¡puta madre! (regional exclamation) | damn it!; fuck! |
| 31 | ¡a la mierda! (Spain and Latin America) | to hell with it!; fuck it!; fuck off!, depending on context |
You have just reviewed 31 words and short phrases. The five expressions below are longer and especially vulgar.
III. Level 2 Spanish Cursing
32. Que te jodan. Used mainly in Spain: “Fuck you” or “Fuck off.”
33. Me cago en… Used mainly in Spain, this literally means “I shit on…” and introduces many strong exclamations.
For example:
- Me cago en tu puta madre. Literally, “I shit on your fucking mother.”
- ¡Me cago en la madre que te parió! Literally, “I shit on the mother who gave birth to you.”
- Me cago en Dios. Literally, “I shit on God.” This is religiously offensive.
All of it sounds hair-raisingly vulgar, right?
“Me cago en…” can also be used in other ways such as:
- Me cago en la leche. Literally, “I shit on the milk”; used as a strong exclamation such as “damn it.”
- Me cago en tus muertos. Literally, “I shit on your dead relatives.” This is a severe insult.
34. Que te folle un pez. A comic but vulgar expression used in Spain, literally “May a fish fuck you.”
35. Que te den. Used mainly in Spain: “Screw you,” “Fuck off,” or “Up yours.”
36. Que te den por culo. A stronger expression used mainly in Spain, literally “May they fuck you in the ass”; functionally, “Fuck you” or “Fuck off.”
IV. Conclusion
These expressions are useful to recognize, but their force depends heavily on country and context. When in doubt, do not repeat them.
For more related articles, check out the following:
10 Awesome Tips to Speak Spanish Like A Native
Frequently Used Spanish Slang Terms
10 insultos españoles que debes utilizar más, como ‘mamacallos’ o ‘gaznápiro’
Vocabulary practice
Review the meanings and regional usage notes above before using any of these expressions.
