The Spanish Language Blog donQuijote.org

Do you want to expand your Spanish vocabulary with words that are funny to pronounce or have a peculiar meaning? In this donQuijote article you will find some of the most used funny Spanish words and expressions, others very curious or with a characteristic origin. Because learning Spanish is an adventure in which you can discover unique words that will become your favorites.

Read this article in Spanish.

Funny words in Spanish

Find here the 50 funny words in Spanish that will help you expand your vocabulary, learn new terms and discover some words that have no literal translation in English. But don't worry if you have never heard them before because we also leave you the definitions in Spanish:

  • Achuchar: to squeeze or hug someone tightly.
  • Adefesio: ridiculous or extravagant looking person or thing.
  • Alcachofa (Artichoke): edible plant in the shape of a flower.
  • Algarabía (Hubbub): confusion or noise produced by a group of people talking at the same time.
  • Babosear (To slober): to drool on something or someone, generally used with dogs.
  • Bobalicón (Simpleton): silly or simple person.
  • Bocazas (Blabbermouth): person who talks too much or too much; also used for people who do not know how to keep their mouths shut and tell things they should not.
  • Cachivache (Junk): useless or poor-quality object.
  • Cantamañanas (Fantasizer): unreliable or serious person.
  • Cháchara (Chitchat): trivial or unimportant conversation.
  • Chanchullo (Scam): deception or trap to obtain a benefit.
  • Chimichurri: herb sauce used as a condiment in Argentine and Uruguayan cuisine.
  • Chirimoya (Custard apple): tropical fruit with white and sweet pulp.
  • Chismoso (Gossip): person who talks a lot about other people's lives.
  • Churro: fried flour dough in the shape of a spiral.
  • Chollo (Bargain): bargain or bargain, especially when it comes to shopping.
  • Ciempiés (Centipede): insect with many legs.
  • Cucurucho (Cone): cone made of paper, cardboard or other material used to contain food. It also refers to the wafer cone in ice cream.
  • Descuajeringar: to break or undo something violently.
  • Espantapájaros (Scarecrow): figure used to scare birds away from crops, generally made of straw.
  • Esperpento: grotesque or absurd situation.
  • Fantoche (Braggart): conceited or conceited person.
  • Granuja (Rogue or Crook): cunning or malicious person.
  • Grogui (Groggy): state of daze or confusion, especially after a blow to the head.
  • Hipotálamo (Hypothalamus): region of the brain that controls functions such as body temperature, hunger, or thirst.
  • Hipopótamo (Hippopotamus): large semi-aquatic herbivorous mammalian animal, native to Africa.
  • Hortera (Tacky): person with bad taste in clothing.
  • Intríngulis (Intricacies): complicated or entangled matter or situation.
  • Latifundio (Latifundium): large extension of agricultural land dedicated to a single crop.
  • Macarra (Thug): person who engages in criminal activities or shows aggressive behavior.
  • Mequetrefe (Bum or Loafer): insignificant or unimportant person.
  • Meticuloso (Meticulous): person who pays great attention to detail and is very careful with his work.
  • Mondongo (Guts): intestines and belly of the nets, especially pork. It is also a traditional stew made with animal viscera.
  • Ñoño (Dull): said of a bland thing or of little substance; or said of a person of short wit and little spirit.
  • Osobuco (Ossobuco): Italian dish consisting of slowly cooked veal slices.
  • Palangana (Basin): large shallow container used for washing.
  • Pantufla (Slipper): light and comfortable slipper worn inside the house.
  • Patatús: sudden fainting or nervous breakdown.
  • Purpurina (Glitter): shiny powder used to decorate or give shine.
  • Reñir (To admonish): to argue or admonish with someone.
  • Ringorrango (Flourish): exaggerated feather feature; or superfluous and extravagant adornment.
  • Tiquismiquis (Finicky): demanding or meticulous person, especially with food.
  • Tocayo: a person who has the same name as someone else.
  • Tostón (Bore): boring or annoying situation.
  • Tubérculo (Tuber): part of a subway reserve stem of some plants such as the potato.
  • Yuyu: feeling of fear or shivering.
  • Zamacuco: not very serious or untrustworthy person.
  • Zampabollos (Glutton): a person who eats in excess.
  • Zigzaguear (To zigzag): to move in a zigzag or irregular trajectory.
  • Zopenco (Numskull): clumsy or unintelligent person.

Funny Spanish expressions

These are just some funny Spanish words that you can learn to use in your daily life. But Spanish is a very interesting and unique language, so you can also find here some funny Spanish expressions to improve your level.

  • Ser un gallina: means to be afraid or to be a coward when facing a situation.
  • Estar en la edad del pavo: refers to adolescence, so it is used with people who are at that age.
  • Estar como una cabra: means to be crazy or to act irrationally.
  • Tener memoria de pez: used with people who easily forget things or have a short memory.
  • No tener ni pies ni cabeza (Make head or tail): means to have no sense, to be incoherent or illogical.
  • Darle la vuelta a la tortilla: refers to when a situation is changed for or against, thus altering the course of events.
  • Tirar la casa por la ventana (Spared no expense): means to spend or invest a large amount of money or resources on something.
  • Hablando del rey de Roma (Speaking of the Devil): used when you are talking about a person, and they appear on the scene.
  • Irse por las ramas (Beat around the bush): means to stray from the main topic of a conversation or to talk about irrelevant matters.
  • Feliz como una perdiz: means to be extremely happy or content.
  • No tener pelos en la lengua (Not mince words): refers to speaking out, saying what you think without beating around the bush or censorship.
  • Ponerse las pilas: means to start working or putting more effort into something, to act with energy and determination.
  • Importarte un pimiento: refers to when a situation or person does not matter to you at all, has no value or importance.
  • Ir directo al grano (To cut to the chase): means to go to the main point or topic without detours or distractions.
  • Ser más chulo que un ocho (To think to be God’s gift to the world): means to be arrogant or conceited.
  • Como el que oye llover (Like watter off a duck’s back): means not paying attention to something, ignoring what someone is saying or what is happening.
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