imbécil
What does imbécil mean? imbécil is a Spanish strong that translates to “imbecile / idiot / moron” in English.
Literal Translation
imbecile (from Latin imbecillus - weak)
Meaning & Usage
"imbecile / idiot / moron"
Stupid person, idiot. Former medical term for moderate intellectual disability.
Examples in the Wild
¡Imbécil! Casi me atropellas. (You idiot! You almost ran me over.)
When to Use It
Context
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Around elders or authority figures
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
Common across all Spanish-speaking regions. Stronger than 'tonto' (silly) but less severe than 'subnormal'. Frequently used in traffic disputes and arguments. While originally medical, it's largely lost that connotation in general speech, though still offensive. Often combined with other insults ('imbécil de mierda').
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