Spanish word

picapleitos

Pronunciation

IPA/pikaˈpleitos/

Meaning

  • masculine nounargumentative person

Example

No seas un picapleitos y deja de discutir.

Don't be an argumentative person and stop arguing.

Illustration for picapleitos (argumentative person)

More examples

Esa persona es un picapleitos nato y siempre busca polémica.

That person is a born troublemaker and always looks for controversy.

Core concept

Person deliberately provoking quarrels.

Common phrases

  • ser un picapleitos

    be a pugnacious person

  • un picapleitos nato

    a born pugnacious person

Similar words

buscapleitos: Deliberately seeks out quarrels over minor or petty issues.
peleón: Quick-tempered and prone to turning disagreements into fights.
provocador: Provokes or taunts others to elicit angry responses and conflict.

Definition in Spanish

Persona que tiende a provocar o buscar peleas y discusiones.

Word origin

From the colloquial blend of picar 'to poke or provoke' and pleito 'fight', picapleitos names a person who provokes or seeks disputes.

Usage tips

  • Informal and often pejorative, picapleitos is commonly used as an accusation and can offend unless used jokingly among close friends.

Other meanings

  • troublemakernoun

Opposites

  • pacifistapacifistnoun
  • conciliadorpeacemakernoun

Word lists with this word