Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Demon in Spanish: Demonio
Demonio · noun (masculine) · deh-MOH-nyoh
The Spanish word for demon is 'demonio,' a masculine noun referring to an evil supernatural being. It is used in religious, literary, and colloquial contexts. In everyday speech, expressions like '¡Demonios!' serve as mild exclamations of frustration, similar to 'Damn!' in English.
Say deh-MOH-nyoh with stress on the second syllable. The 'ni' before 'o' creates a 'ny' sound similar to the English word 'onion.'
En la leyenda, un demonio atormentaba al pueblo por las noches.
In the legend, a demon tormented the town at night.
Demon in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for demon, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| demonio | demon | deh-MOH-nyoh | Default, widely understood |
| diablo | demon | sometimes used interchangeably for evil spirits |
How Native Speakers Use Demonio
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Literature
El autor describió un demonio con ojos de fuego en su novela.
The author described a demon with fiery eyes in his novel.
Discussing a fictional creature in a book.
Exclamation
¡Demonios! Olvidé las llaves dentro del coche.
Demons! I forgot the keys inside the car.
Expressing frustration about a mistake.
Religious context
El sacerdote habló sobre la lucha entre ángeles y demonios.
The priest spoke about the battle between angels and demons.
A discussion during a religious sermon.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Demonio
Confusing demonio and diablo
Incorrect: El diablo menor atacó al héroe de la historia.
Correct: El demonio menor atacó al héroe de la historia.
'Diablo' typically refers to the Devil (Satan) as a specific entity, while 'demonio' is a general term for any evil spirit or lesser supernatural being.
Wrong plural
Incorrect: Los demonos aparecieron en la oscuridad.
Correct: Los demonios aparecieron en la oscuridad.
The plural of 'demonio' is 'demonios,' maintaining the 'i' before adding the plural '-s.'
Lock in Demon Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Demonio used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using demonio in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear En la leyenda, un demonio atormentaba al pueblo por las noches. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Demon in Spanish
- Is demonio the same as diablo?
- While related, 'demonio' is a broader term for any evil spirit, whereas 'diablo' specifically refers to the Devil or Satan as the supreme evil entity in Christian theology.
- Can demonios be used as a mild swear word?
- Saying '¡Demonios!' is a relatively mild exclamation in Spanish, comparable to 'Darn!' or 'Damn!' in English, and is generally less offensive than stronger profanity.
- How is demonio used in Spanish folklore?
- Throughout Latin American and Spanish folklore, demons appear as trickster figures, tempting mortals, haunting abandoned places, and playing roles in cautionary tales passed down through generations.