Spanish swear words

“wanker / lazy bastard / flake”

Someone who masturbates a lot; figuratively, a supremely lazy person or someone who talks a lot but never follows through.

“arrogant prick / stuck-up bitch / full of shit”

A deeply arrogant, conceited person who thinks they are better than everyone else, or alternatively, a complete fool.

“for fuck's sake / godfuckingdammit”

An exclamation of extreme frustration, surprise, or anger. It vividly expresses that a situation has gone completely wrong.

“to fuck / to shag”

To have sexual intercourse. It is the absolute standard vulgar verb for sex in Spain.

“motherfucker / holy fuck”

The ultimate expression of pain, anger, or amazement in Chile and Peru.

“shit”

Universal expletive expressing frustration, disappointment, or describing something of poor quality. Mild to moderate offense depending on context.

“fucking snitch / rat bastard”

A highly offensive term for someone who informs on others, gossips, or snitches, combined with a maternal insult.

“balls / nerve / guts”

Testicles; metaphorically courage, nerve, or audacity. Also used in countless expressions indicating emphasis or frustration.

“cunt / pussy”

Seashell in Spain and most of Latin America; vulgar slang for female genitalia in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, and parts of Mexico.

“dick / upper-class snob (in Spain)”

Penis in Argentina, Uruguay, and Central America. BUT in Spain, it means a preppy, wealthy, snobbish girl.

“to dick around / to do fuck all”

To be extremely lazy, avoiding work or responsibility by doing absolutely nothing.

“idiot / moron / dude / bro”

Idiot, stupid person, or 'dude' among friends. Specific to Rioplatense Spanish (Argentina/Uruguay).

“cock / dick / awesome”

Penis (Spain); also used to say something is excellent ('es la polla').

“awesome / cheap / vagina / nothing”

An incredibly versatile word that can mean 'amazing', 'terrible', or 'absolutely nothing' depending entirely on the preceding article.

“bastard / asshole / dude (friendly)”

Originally referring to a cuckolded husband (man with horns). Now means bastard, asshole, or tough guy. Among friends in Spain and Mexico, can mean 'dude' or 'badass'.

“your sister's fucking cunt / motherfucker”

An extreme insult directed at someone's sister's genitals, used primarily as an explosion of road-rage style anger.

“Spic / wetback (equivalent slur for South Americans in Spain)”

A highly offensive, xenophobic, and racist slur used in Spain to refer to South American immigrants.

“to fuck / to screw / to mess with”

Ubiquitous Mexican verb with dozens of meanings including to bother, ruin, steal, drink heavily, or engage in sexual activity. The center of Mexican profanity.