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"Loco" is an adjective which is often translated as "crazy", and "tonto" is an adjective which is often translated as "stupid". Learn more about the difference between "loco" and "tonto" below.
loco(
loh
-
koh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. crazy
En el parque hay una señora loca gritando a los corredores.There's a crazy lady in the park screaming at the runners.
b. insane
No sé si ese hombre está loco o solo es un poco excéntrico.I don't know if that man is crazy or just a bit eccentric.
c. mad
La vieja se había vuelto loca cuando se le murió el hijo.The old lady had gone mad when her son died.
a. crazy
Esos chicos están locos; harán cualquier cosa.Those boys are crazy; they will do anything.
b. insane
¿Estás loco? No puedes saltar de nuestro techo al techo de los vecinos.Are you insane? You can't jump from our roof to the neighbors' roof.
c. mad
Tendrías que estar loco para hacer eso.You'd have to be mad to do that.
a. crazy
El cumpleaños de la Nati fue aún más loco que el año pasado.Nati's birthday party was even crazier than last year.
b. amazing
¡Fue una fiesta muy loca! La pasé muy bien.That was a amazing party! I had a great time.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. crazy (adjective)
Mi vecino es un loco. Trato de no hablar con él.My neighbor is crazy. I try not to talk to him.
b. lunatic
No te preocupes si ese hombre te grita; es un loco.Don't worry if that man yells at you; he's a lunatic.
c. madman (masculine)
Por favor, no describas a mi hermano como un loco. Sufre de una enfermedad mental.Please don't describe my brother as a madman. He's suffering from a mental illness.
d. madwoman (feminine)
En la historia, la loca del desván es la esposa del héroe.In the story, the madwoman in the attic is the hero's wife.
5.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(form of address)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
(Latin America)
a. man
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Dale, loco. Apúrate o llegaremos tarde.Come on, man. Hurry up or we'll be late.
b. dude
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Loco, estás borracho. Es hora de volver a casa.Dude, you're drunk. It's time to go home.
c. mate
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Loco, ¿estás listo o no?Mate, are you ready or not?
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tonto(
tohn
-
toh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. stupid
Es tonta si se cree que su novio va a cambiar.She's stupid if she thinks her boyfriend is going to change.
b. dumb
No eres tonto. Es solo que el subjuntivo no es fácil de entender.You are not dumb. It's just that the subjunctive is not easy to understand.
a. silly
Siempre te vales de excusas tontas para no ir a visitar a tus abuelos.You always make silly excuses not to go visit your grandparents.
b. stupid
Fue un tonto error que nos costó caro.It was a stupid mistake for which we paid a high price.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. idiot
Soy un tonto. Metí el vaquero en el lavarropa y la billetera estaba en el bolsillo.I'm such an idiot. I put the jeans in the washing machine and my wallet was in the pocket.
b. fool
Eres un verdadero tonto si dejas los estudios.You're a real fool if you abandon your studies.
a. silly
"Tonto, los leones marinos no son leones acuáticos," dijo Mónica sonriendo."Sea lions are not aquatic lions, silly," said Monica smiling.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.