hijueputa / hijo de puta

ˈi.xo ðe ˈpu.tafamily insult, gendered slur

What does hijueputa / hijo de puta mean? hijueputa / hijo de puta is a Spanish severe that translates to “son of a bitch / motherfucker” in English.

son of a whore / son of a bitch

01

"son of a bitch / motherfucker"

Male person born to a prostitute; general term for despicable male.

¡Hijo de puta, me engañaste! (Son of a bitch, you tricked me!)

Context

  • Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
  • Only among very close friends who share this register

Avoid

  • Professional or formal settings
  • Around elders or authority figures
  • Public spaces — will cause genuine offense
  • Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations

Cultural Context

Universal Spanish insult but severity varies. 'Hijueputa' is the contracted form common in Colombia and Central America. In Spain, 'hijo de puta' is extremely offensive. Can be used with admiration for someone clever or tough ('¡Qué hijo de puta!' = What a clever bastard!). The feminine 'hija de puta' is equally severe. Attacking someone's mother is grave in all Spanish-speaking cultures.

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3 / 5character attack, sexual act

pajero

paˈxe.ɾo

wanker / lazy bastard / flake

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

4 / 5scatological, character attack

comemierda

ˌko.meˈmjeɾ.ða

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.

4 / 5exclamation, anatomical

la concha de la lora

la ˈkon.tʃa ðe la ˈlo.ɾa

for fuck's sake / godfuckingdammit

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

4 / 5verb, sexual

follar

foˈʎaɾ

to fuck / to shag

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

2 / 5exclamation, scatological

mierda

ˈmjeɾ.ða

shit

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

5 / 5family insult, exclamation

conchatumare / CTM

ˌkon.tʃa.tuˈma.ɾe

motherfucker / holy fuck

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

2 / 5anatomical, courage

cojones

koˈxo.nes

balls / nerve / guts

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

5 / 5animal metaphor, criminal slang

sapo hijueputa

ˈsa.po i.xweˈpu.ta

fucking snitch / rat bastard

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