Spanish Curse Words

Just like there are many passionate ways to say “I love you” in Spanish, there are Spanish curse words – among the most colorful and expressive in the language – that will help you ask someone to fuck off.

They can also be used to vent frustration, show excitement, or simply add emphasis to what you're saying – just like in English. Learning some Spanish swear words will also help you get a better feeling for the language and make yourself sound like a native.

But, like any other type of words, they should be used sparingly and only in appropriate contexts. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most common Spanish curse words and their English translations, along with situations in which you can use them. Just remember, use these words at your own risk!

Cabrón

Meaning: bastard/jerk

One of the most common Spanish curse words, cabrón literally means “big male goat,” but it is used as an insult to refer to a man who is considered to be foolish or stupid. It can also be used to describe someone as aggressive or mean, but native Spanish speakers usually use it as a sarcastic remark rather than an insult.

For example:

Spanish

English

Ese cabrón me robó mi bicicleta.

That bastard stole my bike.

No seas cabrón, déjame entrar.

Don't be a jerk, let me in.

¡Joder!

Meaning: fuck

This is probably one of the most versatile Spanish swear words. It can be used as a standalone exclamation, or it can be employed to emphasize just about anything. But, don’t be alarmed – while its closest English equivalent is “fuck,” it actually isn’t as potent as you may think.

In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word joder is well-accepted and isn’t considered offensive – both adults and teenagers alike use it loosely.

Like this:

Spanish

English

¡Joder, qué calor!

Fuck, it's hot!

¿Qué te ha hecho ese jodido perro?

What the hell did that fucking dog do to you?

Hijo de Puta

Meaning: son of a bitch

This is another one of the most common Spanish swear words used as a general insult, similar to “bastard” or “son of a gun” in English. Considering its literal translation, you can imagine how offensive it can be.

However, you can also use this Spanish curse word to express how surprised you are – in cases of both good and bad news.

For example:

Spanish

English

¡Eres un hijo de puta!

You son of a bitch!

¡Hijo de puta! No sabía que ibas a venir.

Son of a bitch! I didn't know you were coming.

Spanish Curse Words

¡Mierda!

Meaning: shit/crap

The literal translation of la mierda is “shit,” but it can be used as a general curse word to express frustration or anger. It can also be used to describe something that is of poor quality.

For example:

Spanish

English

¡Esto es una mierda!

This is crap!

¡Mierda! Me olvidé de la entrevista.

Shit! I forgot about the interview.

You can also use it as a Spanish insult, like this:

Spanish

English

¡Come mierda!

Eat shit!

¡Me cago en todo lo que se menea!

Meaning: I shit on everything that moves!

Speaking of…, Spanish words Me cago en... literally translate to English as “I shit on…” and can be used to combine just about any word to form a swear word. Spanish speakers usually use it to express that they cannot stand something or when they’re angry.

They usually aren’t translated that literally, like here:

Spanish

English

¡Me cago en la hostia!

I'll be damned!

Me cago en la puta.

Fucking hell!

However, you can get creative with this one and use other variations of phrases that start with Me cago en

Here are a few handy options:

Spanish

English

Me cago en tus muertos.

I shit on your dead relatives.

Me cago en Dios

I shit on god.

Me cago en la madre que te parió

I shit on the mother that gave birth to you.

Me cago en la leche

I shit in the milk.

Tonto del Culo

Meaning: asshole

This Spanish curse word is used to describe someone who is exceptionally stupid. It literally translates to “idiot of the ass,” with the word “asshole” being the closest English equivalent, so you can imagine how strong of an insult it is.

For example:

Spanish

English

No hagas eso, tonto del culo.

Don't do that, you asshole.

¿Cómo puedes ser tan tonto del culo?

How can you be so fucking stupid?

Spanish Curse Words

Que te den por Culo

Meaning: fuck you in the ass

This phrase is a bit more graphic than the previous one. This Spanish curse phrase is a way of telling someone that you hope they get what they deserve, usually something unpleasant. In other words, it’s a perfect phrase to tell someone to go fuck themselves.

Spanish

English

¡Que te den por el culo, hijo de puta!

Go fuck yourself, son of a bitch!

Ella piensa que es mejor que todos nosotros, ¡que se la den por culo!

She thinks she’s better than us, fuck her!

Coño

Meaning: cunt

This Spanish word is a vulgar slang word for female genitals and has a variety of uses. It can be used as a standalone exclamation, an interjection in the middle of a sentence, or even to address someone personally.

It can also be used as a filler word in conversation, similar to how English speakers might use “fuck” or “shit.”

Here are a few examples:

Spanish

English

¡Coño! ¿Me has roto el coche?

Shit! You've broken my car?

No puedo creer que hayas hecho eso, coño.

I can't believe you did that, cunt.

Just be careful not to use it around children or elders (or anywhere, really), as it can be really offensive when used in the wrong context. For instance, in Latin America and some other Spanish-speaking countries, this word is considered to be very offensive and should be used with caution. You don’t want to get yourself in trouble.

¡Los cojones!

Meaning: balls

This is one of the most versatile Spanish curse words and can be used in a variety of situations. Literally meaning “testicles,” cojones can be used to express frustration, anger, or surprise. It can also be used as a term of endearment or to show admiration for someone else's bold or brave behavior.

For example:

Spanish

English

¡Me cago en los cojones!

Holy shit!

¡Qué cojones!

What the fuck!

Ese niño tiene muchos cojones.

That kid’s got big balls.

Spanish Curse Words

Puta Madre

Meaning: motherfucker

Puta Madre is one of the most famous Spanish insults that doesn’t need an introduction. Its literal meaning is “your mother is a whore,” but it is usually used in the meaning of “motherfucker.”

You can use puta madre to express disagreement, anger, frustration, and disbelief, but also satisfaction, and it can be directed at both men and women.

Here are a few examples:

Spanish

English

Este taco está de puta madre.

This is a motherfucking amazing taco.

Eso debió doler como la puta madre.

That must have hurt like a motherfucker.

¡Cállate, hijo de tu puta madre!

Shut up, son of a fucking bitch!

La Hostia

Meaning: holy fuck

La hostia can be used among friends in the meaning of “holy fuck” or “holy shit.” However, this is also a term related to the holy communion in the Catholic Church, as catholicism is still very popular in the Spanish-speaking world. In such a context, it will mean “the host,” so it can be perceived as vulgar or offensive in especially religious regions.

When using it as a swear phrase, you can combine it with other words to emphasize the impact and express your emotions, from anger to frustration and annoyance.

For example:

Spanish

English

¡Me cago en la hostia!

Holy fuck!

¡Hostia puta!

Holy shit!

Esa hostia de mi jefe me tiene hasta los huevos.

I'm sick to death of my boss.

Spanish Curse Words

Other Important Curse Words

Here are other swear words that are commonly used in Latin America:

Pendejo It translates roughly to "idiot" or "jerk" in English. This word is more commonly used in Mexico and parts of Latin America. It's used as an insult, usually towards someone who has done something foolish.
Gilipollas Similar to calling someone a "jerk" or "a**hole" in English. This is a strong insult in Spain.
Puta This word translates to "whore" in English. It's a very strong insult and should be used with caution.
Chingar The English equivalent would be "to f**ck. This is a versatile swear word in Mexican Spanish. Its meaning can change depending on the context.
Carajo "¡Vete al carajo!" translates to "Go to hell!" This can be used similar to "damn" or "hell" in English to express frustration or surprise.
Pendejo It translates roughly to "idiot" or "jerk" in English. This word is more commonly used in Mexico and parts of Latin America. It's used as an insult, usually towards someone who has done something foolish.
Gilipollas Similar to calling someone a "jerk" or "a**hole" in English. This is a strong insult in Spain.
Puta This word translates to "whore" in English. It's a very strong insult and should be used with caution.
Chingar The English equivalent would be "to f**ck. This is a versatile swear word in Mexican Spanish. Its meaning can change depending on the context.
Carajo "¡Vete al carajo!" translates to "Go to hell!" This can be used similar to "damn" or "hell" in English to express frustration or surprise.

Why Should You Learn Spanish Curse Words?

Learning Spanish curse words can offer several benefits. First, it can enhance your understanding of the language and its nuances. Curse words in Spanish-speaking cultures are socially accepted, so you don't need to practice them in secrecy. It can also be a fun way to immerse yourself in the language and culture.

There's also a practical aspect to learning curse words in any language. It can serve as self-defense awareness, helping you understand when someone might be using offensive language. This can be especially helpful when traveling or living in a Spanish-speaking country.

Moreover, Spanish curse words are not only used for insulting or hurting people but also for fun and even to show love among friends. Knowing these words can help you better understand and participate in casual conversations in Spain and Latin America.

It's important to note that some English curse words may not carry the same weight in Spanish-speaking countries, and vice versa. For example, "estúpido" is considered more intense in Spanish-speaking countries compared to "stupid" in English-speaking countries.

However, like with any language, it's crucial to use curse words responsibly and with an understanding of their cultural context, because explicit language has the potential to offend.

The Bottom Line

So, now you know some of the most common curse words used by native speakers in Spanish speaking countries. With a few Spanish curse words up your sleeve, you can now speak Spanish at a whole new level of proficiency!

Next time you see your Spanish-speaking friends, you’ll be able to surprise them by adding a couple of dirty words to your daily conversations. After all, swear words aren’t necessarily bad words – in many cases, they help you express precisely how you feel.

So, if you want to build up your Spanish vocabulary, download our Langster app and start learning Spanish with stories that will give you a real-life context to master Spanish curse words.

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Ellis

Ellis is a seasoned polyglot and one of the creative minds behind Langster Blog, where she shares effective language learning strategies and insights from her own journey mastering the four languages. Ellis strives to empower learners globally to embrace new languages with confidence and curiosity. Off the blog, she immerses herself in exploring diverse cultures through cinema and contemporary fiction, further fueling her passion for language and connection.