Spanish Conversation · Level 21
90 words
Spanish word
tonto
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈtonto/
Meaning
- adjectivestupid
Example
¡Qué tonto!
How stupid!
More examples
Se puso tonto después de beber.
He became stupid after drinking.
Core concept
Person acting absentmindedly and slow to catch on.
Common phrases
ponerse tonto
become stupid
quedarse tonto
remain stupid
parecer tonto
seem stupid
Similar words
bobo: Naively simple and silly, often inviting teasing or laughter.
estúpido: Marked by severe lack of sense or judgment, evidently very foolish.
despistado: Distracted and absentminded, likely to overlook small matters.
torpe: Physically ungainly or awkward, prone to drops and bumps.
Definition in Spanish
Que describe a persona que actúa con poca atención o con falta de ingenio; también se usa como exclamación para señalar un error propio o ajeno.
Word origin
From the same root as the Spanish verbs atontar and tontar, originally meaning 'to stun' or 'daze', now describing someone who lacks attention or quickness.
Usage tips
- Ser tonto describes a character trait while estar tonto describes a temporary dazed or inattentive state, and calling someone tonto to an unfamiliar person can be offensive.