Is «cojornudo» a swear word?
I seem to remember back in the day it meant something like 'really cool', but there also seemed to be a cloud over it.
BTW, when learning Spanish, avoid learning swear words. They think it's cute teaching you to swear--similar to teaching a parrot to swear--but the words will crop up in ordinary conversation to embarrass you. Ex: A cada uno, le huele bien el pedo de su propio culo. A refrán, yes, but one that will get you in trouble.
2 Answers
I have a couple of things to share regarding this post.
First: I couldn't find "cojornudo" but did find this: cojonudo
That seems to be vulgar in at least some sense.
Second: I agree with you about not learning swear words when learning Spanish. There does, however, seem to be a colloquial set of phrases that are quite commonly and universally used in various regions. If one lives in a particular region it would be advisable to learn all the vocabulary and then choose whether to use it or not. There doesn't even seem to be a clear word in English to cover the idea of "swearing", "cussing", "cursing", "using vulgar language", but all of those terms apply to the process of "making a language your own." In my life I have delighted in using all the colorful and vulgar expressions that I know exist in English, but now I have decided that they are all unnecessary, can be replaced with more elegant phrases and often are used in extreme states of emotion that I now deem better to be avoided entirely. Of course one could submit to the "Tyranny of anti-censorship" and feel obliged to use them rather than being thought of as "puritanical." George Carlin is dead. In the end he won his battle of the forbidden words, but also in the end the spoils are just a pile of fecal matter.
I think cojonudo is a variant of cojones. In Spain though a popular word with many meanings it goes from informal to vulgar. I find the use of swear words slang and idioms tricky. As far as idioms are concerned they need to be country and age specific. I remember at the old age of 32 realising the new trainee who was 24 was using completely different expressions to the ones I used. Obviously talking to people, reading and watching TV and film you do get to know new expressions.
In the UK there are a huge number of expressions with 'piss' in them from an informal word for urinating or heavy rain to some expressions best not used.Additionally Americans use it to explain they are angry but the same phrase used in the UK means you are drunk! In addition some potentially offensive words can be used ironically as a compliment.
Despite equality I think there are many societies and cultures that dissapprove strongly of women using informal language but take a different stance in relation to men.
I think word usuage in this area can be so nuanced and unless you are with very close longstanding friends you need to leave well alone. There will always be someone who thinks it is funny to teach a new person a 'naughty' word.
However, as your knowledge of the language and its culture improves it is important to learn swear words and idioms so you understand what is being said.
Here is an article by Arturo Perez Reverte about 'cojones' His writing and novels often use informal language.
Of course if you like the white asparagus popular in Spain you can buy
