Spanish Conversation · Level 162
29 words
Spanish word
psicópata
Pronunciation
IPA/psiˈkopata/
Meaning
- noun (m./f.)psychopath
Example
Él es un psicópata.
He is a psychopath.
More examples
La policía buscó a un psicópata peligroso.
The police searched for a dangerous psychopath.
Core concept
Person showing emotional coldness, manipulative behavior, and lack of moral conscience.
Common phrases
un psicópata peligroso
a dangerous psychopath
parece un psicópata
seems like a psychopath
Similar words
sociópata: Rule-breaking, often impulsive person who ignores social rules and shows little concern for others.
manipulador: Person who skillfully manipulates others' emotions or situations to control outcomes.
trastorno antisocial de la personalidad: Clinical personality disorder marked by persistent disregard for others, deceit, and lack of remorse.
Definition in Spanish
Persona cuyo modo de relacionarse se caracteriza por frialdad afectiva, conducta manipuladora y falta de conciencia moral, expresión usada en informes clínicos y en el habla común.
Word origin
The word derives from Greek ψυχή 'soul' and πάθος 'suffering' and develops as a psychiatric label in 19th-century Europe before entering Spanish via other European languages.
Usage tips
- 'Psicópata' names a clinical diagnosis in formal contexts, so speakers often avoid labeling people with it and instead describe observable traits such as 'manipulador' or 'sin empatía'.
Opposites
- empatíaempathynoun
- altruismoaltruismnoun
Related words
- psicopatíapsychopathynoun
- psicopáticopsychopathicadjective