Surely the most fun part of picking up a new language is learning how to curse in it. Until you can swear like a native speaker, you’re not fluent.
If you're only at the start of your Spanish learning journey we highly recommend you check out our awesome guide on the best way to learn Spanish. There you will find the best tips on how to learn this beautiful language.
Now let’s get to the good stuff and discover all the Spanish curse words that you really need in your life.
Related: Curse Words in the French Language: Using French Swear Words Like a Pro
Best Spanish Swear Words
Spanish is a fine language to swear in.
There’s not much that’s more satisfying than yelling some VERY bad words at the table you just stubbed your toe on, and doing so in Spanish is even better, due to the expressiveness of the language.
Joder
If we’re going to learn Spanish swear words then this one’s vital: it’s the Spanish version of the F-bomb. It doesn’t carry quite the same shock value, though.
It’s probably still best not to start shouting it in the streets unless you’ve got a seriously good reason.
Gilipollas
One of the most common curse words in Spanish is ‘gilipollas’ which translates as idiot or jerk. Try it out on the idiot in your life with the phrase, ‘no seas gilipollas’ which in English is along the lines of ‘don’t be a dumbass.’ Cute.
Mierda
Of all curse words in Spanish, this is likely to be one of the most useful in daily life. Bring this into play when you’ve banged your head on a low beam, have overcooked your dinner, or just witnessed your team missing a penalty.
‘Mierda’ translates as ‘crap’ or ‘sh*t’. In the literal or the, you know, how totally annoying sense.
If you want to practice your pronunciation of this particular curse word, the popular Spanish tv series, ‘14 de Abril, La Republica’ - available on the Lingopie language learning platform - is a great place to start.
It’s a cracking drama focused on the life of a wealthy family living in Madrid during the Second Republic. As well as being an excellent source of Spanish curse words, it’s a sweeping love story, too, so tissues at the ready.
Qué Cabrón
Many swear words in Spanish, when translated into English, aren’t an exact equivalent, although the sense in which they’re used might be the same. Like this one.
‘Qué cabrón’ means, literally, 'what a big male goat'. But it’s used in the way we would say, ‘what a bastard!’ This particular curse is rarely used as an angry insult, but most often in friendly bants.
La Concha de tu Madre
Looking to say bad words in Spanish with meaning? Then this is the invective for you. It translates as ‘motherf*cker’ and definitely should NOT be used in friendly bants.
Puto
Use this as a great all-rounder of an insult.
It’s the equivalent of both ‘asshole’ and ‘f*cking’ and has a variety of amusing applications.
To learn how to use it as an authentic Spanish speaker would watch ‘Bajo le Red’ on Lingopie. The characters are very fond of it, which makes for a great educational opportunity.
The program is about a sinister figure who wreaks digital havoc by setting up a system of ‘favors’ online - intriguing and dark, ‘Bajo le Red’ offers much more than just an opportunity to pick up some colorful language. Although it’s great for this, too.
Why is Spanish Such a Satisfying Language to Curse In?
Many people describe Spanish as almost a ‘sung’ language due to the nature of its intonation and flow.
The language’s pronunciation, too, helps, and its consistency in this regard is one of the things that makes it widely regarded as the easiest language to learn. The creative elements of the vocabulary also make cursing immensely satisfying in Spanish.
Cursing plays a significant role in conversations between folks of all ages in Spanish-speaking countries, and many of the swear words and phrases don’t carry the weight they do in English. That said: it’s still worth approaching with caution in order not to risk offense or inadvertently inducing raucous laughter.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that some Spanish curse words and phrases have a stronger, or more shocking, meaning in different countries.
For example, what might be considered a mild curse word in Spain itself could be regarded as a much more offensive word in Peru.
Stay tuned and subscribe to our Blog now
Regional Curse Words
For the true aficionado of cursing in Spanish, the below words and phrases are highly localized:
Verga - Mexican
This is a useful swear word to add spice to your Mexican conversations. It means ‘f*ck’ although it can be brought into play to mean ‘awesome.’
Culiao - Chilean
A nifty little curse, this translates as something like ‘dumbass’ or ‘idiot.’ It’s widely used in Chile but not heard so much in other Spanish-speaking countries; confusingly, Chileans also use this word to refer to a very close friend…
Chapiodora - Dominican
This translates as ‘gold-digger’ and is only used in the Dominican Republic and a small number of islands in the Caribbean.
Check out our article about mastering conversational Spanish.
What’s the Best Way to Learn Spanish (including the curses)
If you’re genuinely committed to the art of learning Spanish curse words - ok, and possibly the rest of the language, too - then one of the best techniques to do so is to practice immersive learning techniques alongside traditional methods of study.
Traditionally, this would have meant heading off to a country where Spanish is the official language and staying there for an extended period.
In reality, this isn’t a practical option for most people; however, with new methods and techniques for immersive learning now available, packing up and taking the next flight to Spain for the foreseeable future isn’t the only way to access and enjoy an immersive learning experience.
Have a go at reading books in Spanish, listening to music, and, best of all, watching subtitled Spanish TV programs and movies: these are a rich source of the best Spanish swear words.
Plus, you get to learn the language while being thoroughly entertained. Watching TV in the language you’re learning has been proved to be a very effective way of gaining proficiency; plus, there’s nothing likely to keep you more motivated than a binge-worthy series.
To help you decide what to watch we compiled this list of the best telenovelas to help you improve your Spanish. Telenovelas are a great way to study Spanish because they are a huge part of the culture in Latin America.
And if you’re wondering ‘how long does it take to learn Spanish?’ then, pleased to tell you, immersive techniques can speed up the process significantly, which means that you’ll be swearing like a native in no time.
If you're wondering what the best shows on Netflix to learn Spanish are, check out our post.
We also recommend Lingopie Music. Check out our playlists full of awesome songs in Spanish! It's a great way to practice and pick up new vocabulary.
