mierda

ˈmjeɾ.ðaexclamation, scatological

What does mierda mean? mierda is a Spanish moderate that translates to “shit” in English.

shit/excrement

01

"shit"

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

¡Mierda! Se me olvidó las llaves. (Shit! I forgot my keys.)

Context

  • Casual conversations with friends
  • Informal settings where profanity is accepted
  • As a spontaneous exclamation

Avoid

  • Professional or formal settings
  • Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations

Cultural Context

One of the most universally understood Spanish swear words. Acceptable in informal settings among friends, but inappropriate in formal or professional contexts. Can be used as noun ('Esto es una mierda') or interjection ('¡Mierda!').

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3 / 5sexual, gendered slur

puta

ˈpu.ta

whore / bitch / fucking (as intensifier)

Prostitute or promiscuous woman; used as general expletive or intensifier. When combined with 'madre' becomes extremely severe.

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.

3 / 5family insult, exclamation

la madre que te parió

la ˈma.ðɾe ke te paˈɾjo

you son of a bitch / goddammit to hell

An exclamation of anger, frustration, or bewildered amazement directed at someone. It leaves the actual insult unsaid but heavily implied.

4 / 5verb, sexual

chingar

tʃinˈɡaɾ

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.

4 / 5anatomical, regional variant

concha

ˈkon.tʃa

cunt / pussy

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

2 / 5anatomical, character attack

pelotudo

pe.loˈtu.ðo

idiot / moron / dumbass

Stupid person, idiot. Similar to boludo but slightly more insulting in Argentina.

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.