Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Brat in Spanish: Mocoso
Mocoso · noun · moh-KOH-soh
The English word 'brat' translates to several informal Spanish terms depending on region and intensity. The most widespread is 'mocoso' (literally 'snotty one'), used to describe an ill-mannered or annoying child. The adjective 'malcriado' (badly raised/spoiled) emphasizes poor upbringing, while Mexican slang offers 'escuincle' as a dismissive term for a misbehaving kid.
Pronounce 'mocoso' as moh-KOH-soh with stress on the second syllable. All three vowels are short and open, and the 's' between vowels is unvoiced.
Ese mocoso le faltó el respeto a su maestra.
That brat was disrespectful to his teacher.
Brat in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for brat, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| mocoso | brat | moh-KOH-soh | Default, widely understood |
| malcriado | brat | spoiled child, universal | |
| escuincle | brat | Mexico, pejorative for ill-behaved kid | |
| chamaco malcriado | brat | Mexico/Central America |
How Native Speakers Use Mocoso
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Frustrated parent
¡Deja de actuar como un malcriado!
Stop acting like a brat!
Parent scolding a child.
Describing behavior
Los vecinos dicen que su hijo es un mocoso insoportable.
The neighbors say their son is an unbearable brat.
Gossiping about a child's behavior.
Mexican slang
Ese escuincle no deja de molestar en la tienda.
That brat won't stop bothering people in the store.
Mexican informal speech.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Mocoso
Using 'rata' for brat
Incorrect: Ese niño es una rata.
Correct: Ese niño es un mocoso.
In Spanish, 'rata' means a rat or a stingy person, not a bratty child. Using it would confuse listeners who would think you are calling the child cheap or comparing them to a rodent.
No gender agreement
Incorrect: La niña es un mocoso.
Correct: La niña es una mocosa.
When referring to a female child, the feminine form 'mocosa' must be used to maintain gender agreement with the subject.
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Common Questions About Brat in Spanish
- Is 'mocoso' offensive in Spanish?
- The term 'mocoso' ranges from mildly dismissive to moderately insulting depending on tone and context. Among friends teasing each other it can be playful, but directed at someone's child by a stranger it would be considered rude. It is less harsh than English 'brat' in most contexts.
- What does 'malcriado' literally mean?
- The word 'malcriado' breaks down as 'mal' (badly) + 'criado' (raised/brought up), directly blaming poor parenting for the child's behavior. It implies that the child's brattiness results from a lack of discipline at home rather than the child's inherent nature.
- Are there regional differences for calling someone a brat?
- Regional variety is extensive: Mexico uses 'escuincle' or 'chamaco malcriado,' Argentina prefers 'pendejo' (though this has stronger connotations), Spain might say 'niño mimado' (spoiled child), and Colombia uses 'pelado malcriado.' The core concept translates differently based on local slang traditions.