Interesting Spanish words

Spanish has many interesting words in its extensive vocabulary that you may or may not have heard before. Would you like to expand your vocabulary with some interesting Spanish words? The don Quijote school brings you this article to help you improve your knowledge of the language with interesting Spanish words.

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Spanish interesting words

Below is a list of some interesting Spanish words. Did you know any of them? Are there any words missing from this list? Let us know!

1. Blandengue. Said of a person who is weak in character or physically unresilient. This word is often used in a derogatory tone.

For example: Juan es tan blandengue que nunca contradice a nadie, aunque piense lo contrario (Juan is so soft that he never contradicts anyone, even if he thinks otherwise)

2. Centellear. When an object shines with intense, intermittent light. For example: El anillo centelleaba bajo la luz del sol (The ring sparkled in the sunlight).

3. Chapuzero. Used to describe a person who does work poorly or carelessly. For example: El fontanero fue un chapuzero, dejó la tubería peor de lo que estaba antes (The plumber was a disaster; he left the pipe worse than it was before).

4. Chimuelo. This interesting word is used mainly in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America, such as Mexico, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. The word chimuelo refers to a person or animal with one or more missing teeth. For example: El niño sonreía orgulloso a pesar de estar chimuelo (The boy smiled proudly despite being toothless).

5. Chispa. Said of an incandescent particle or brief flash of light. It can also refer to wit or mental alertness. Example: En su mirada había una chispa de picardía (There was a spark of mischief in his eyes).

6. Chirimbolo. A small, strange object whose function is not always clear. It is usually used to describe or name something you don't know the exact name for. For example: ¿Para qué sirve este chirimbolo de la cocina? (What is this thing in the kitchen for?)

7. Chupacabras. Said of a mythical creature that supposedly attacks animals and drinks their blood. It is also used to describe someone who ‘sucks’ or drains resources, money, or energy in an abusive way. However, it can also have other meanings, depending on the Spanish-speaking country you are in.

For example:

• Los granjeros decían que el chupacabras rondaba por el pueblo (The farmers said that the chupacabras was prowling around the village)
• El jefe de mi prima es un chupacabras, les exprime y no les paga bien (My cousin's boss is a chupacabras; he squeezes them dry and doesn't pay them well)

8. Churrete. Said of a stain, especially on the face or clothes. For example: Tienes un churrete de chocolate en la mejilla (You have a chocolate stain on your cheek).

9. Desvelarse. When a person cannot sleep or stays awake when they are supposed to be sleeping. For example: Me desvelé después de tener una pesadilla anoche (I stayed up all night after having a nightmare last night).

10. Empalagar. If food causes weariness due to excessive sweetness or intensity, it is said to be empalagoso. Although it can also be used figuratively to refer to something that is excessive or repetitive. Examples:

• Ese pastel tan dulce me empalagó después de dos bocados (That cake was so sweet it made me sick after two bites)
• Mira a esos dos enamorados, son un poco empalagosos, todo el día juntos (Look at those two lovebirds, they're a little sickening, together all day long)

11. Epifanía. Said of a sudden revelation or understanding of something. For example: Tuve una epifanía sobre mi futuro mientras caminaba (I had an epiphany about my future while I was walking).

12. Imberbe. Refers to a person who does not have a beard, either because they are young or because of their physical characteristics. Figuratively, it can also be used to describe someone who is inexperienced, immature, or a novice in a particular area. It is often used as a metaphor for youth or lack of maturity, especially in contexts where inexperience is emphasized.

For example:

• Aún es un imberbe, pero tiene mucho potencial (He's still beardless, but he has a lot of potential)
• Tu primo es imberbe ¿no? Desde que le conozco no le he visto nunca con barba (Your cousin is beardless, isn't he? I've never seen him with a beard since I've known him)

13. Lampiño. Describes a person who lacks body or facial hair by nature, without this necessarily depending on age. Its use is uncommon, although in a humorous tone it can allude to innocence or naivety.

It is used more to describe a visible trait than an abstract quality. For example: Aunque tiene 30 años, sigue lampiño como un adolescente (Although he is 30 years old, he is still hairless like a teenager).

14. Mamporrero. Said of a person who helps a male mate with a female in horse breeding. For example: El mamporrero guiaba al semental hacia la yegua (The stallion handler guided the stallion towards the mare).

15. Mamitis. Used to indicate the excessive emotional dependence of a child on their mother. There is also another term but used for the father: papitis. Examples:

• No quiere ir al campamento por pura mamitis (She doesn't want to go to camp because she is mama’s girl)
• No viaja sin su papá, tiene papitis (He doesn't travel without his dad, he’s overly attached to his father)

16. Morbo. Describes a person's attraction to the forbidden, dangerous, or scandalous. For example: Esa película tiene un morbo que atrae a muchos (That movie has a morbid appeal that attracts many people).

17. Papanatas. Said of a naive or foolish person. Usually used in a derogatory way. For example: Ese papanatas se creyó todas las mentiras que le contaron (That twerp/simpleton believed all the lies they told him).

18. Pringado. Literally, a person or thing stained with grease, oil, or another sticky substance. Figuratively, very colloquial and common in Spain, it refers to someone who is naive, clumsy, or easily fooled, and therefore often ends up taking on tasks or problems that are not their responsibility.

For example:

• Después de arreglar la bicicleta, terminé pringado de grasa hasta los codos (After fixing the bike, I ended up covered in grease up to my elbows)
• Siempre le piden a Luis que haga las horas extra, porque es un pringado y nunca se queja (They always ask Luis to work overtime because he's a loser/sucker and never complains)

19. Resplandecer. Said of a person or thing that shines brightly or stands out for its qualities. For example: El diamante resplandecía en la vitrina de la joyería (The diamond sparkled in the jewelry store window).

20. Serendipia. Said of a valuable discovery that occurs accidentally, unexpectedly, and without cause. For example: Encontrar ese libro fue pura serendipia (Finding that book was pure serendipity).

21. Vagar. When a person walks around aimlessly or without occupation, they are said to be wandering. For example: Pasó la tarde vagando por la ciudad ella sola (She spent the afternoon wandering around the city alone).

22. Zalamero. When a person likes to flatter excessively to please others, they are described as zalamero. For example: Es tan zalamero que consigue siempre lo que quiere (He is so flattering that he always gets what he wants).

These are just some of the Spanish interesting words we wanted to show you in this article, but are you left wanting more? Don't worry, our blog has interesting articles on funny Spanish words and beautiful words in Spanish so you can continue expanding your knowledge and discover your new favorite Spanish word.