Spanish Conversation · Level 100
58 words
Spanish word
ingenuo
Pronunciation
IPA/iŋˈxenwo/
Meaning
- adjectivegullible
Example
No seas ingenuo, eso parece una estafa.
Don't be gullible, that looks like a scam.
More examples
Al principio parecía ingenuo, pero resultó saber mucho.
At first he appeared gullible, but he turned out to know a lot.
Core concept
A person smiling at an obvious scam.
Common phrases
ser ingenuo
be gullible
parecer ingenuo
appear gullible
hacerse el ingenuo
play innocent
Similar words
crédulo: Believes others' statements readily without seeking proof.
confiado: Places confidence in people by default and shows little suspicion.
inocente: Assumes no ill intent and behaves simply and unguardedly.
Definition in Spanish
Que muestra sencillez o inocencia y por ello tiende a dejarse engañar.
Word origin
Derived from Latin ingenuus 'inborn sincerity', whose meaning moved over time from frankness to naive trustfulness.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech ingenuo usually points to gullibility rather than moral fault, so it often sounds mildly critical rather than praising.
Other meanings
- childlikeadjective
- naiveadjective
Opposites
- cautocarefuladjective
- desconfiadosuspiciousadjective
Related words
- ingenuidadingenuousnessnoun
- ingenuamenteingenuouslyadverb