Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Naughty in Spanish: Travieso
Travieso · adjective · trah-vee-EH-soh
The Spanish word for naughty is 'travieso,' typically used to describe children who are mischievous or playfully disobedient. Unlike stronger words for bad behavior, 'travieso' carries a lighthearted tone and suggests harmless mischief rather than serious wrongdoing.
Pronounce 'travieso' as trah-vee-EH-soh, placing stress on the third syllable. The 'v' sounds like a soft 'b' in Spanish.
El niño travieso escondió los zapatos de su hermana.
The naughty boy hid his sister's shoes.
Naughty in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for naughty, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| travieso | naughty | trah-vee-EH-soh | Default, widely understood |
| pícaro | naughty | playful or mischievous connotation | |
| malcriado | naughty | implies poorly behaved or spoiled |
How Native Speakers Use Travieso
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Talking about a child
Mi sobrina es muy traviesa; siempre dibuja en las paredes.
My niece is very naughty; she always draws on the walls.
Describing a child's mischievous habits.
Describing a pet
El gato travieso tiró el vaso de la mesa.
The naughty cat knocked the glass off the table.
Talking about a misbehaving pet.
Playful scolding
¡No seas pícaro y devuelve las galletas!
Don't be naughty and give back the cookies!
Lightheartedly scolding someone for sneaking food.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Travieso
Using 'nauty' as a borrowed word
Incorrect: El perro es muy nauty.
Correct: El perro es muy travieso.
English 'naughty' has no Spanish cognate or loanword form. The correct adjective is 'travieso' for playful misbehavior.
Confusing 'travieso' with 'malo'
Incorrect: El niño es malo porque rompió la piñata antes de tiempo.
Correct: El niño es travieso porque rompió la piñata antes de tiempo.
'Malo' implies genuinely bad or evil intent, while 'travieso' conveys innocent mischief, which is more appropriate for children's antics.
Lock in Naughty 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 Travieso used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using travieso in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El niño travieso escondió los zapatos de su hermana. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Naughty in Spanish
- Does 'travieso' have a feminine form?
- The feminine form is 'traviesa,' so you would say 'la niña traviesa' when describing a mischievous girl, following standard Spanish adjective agreement rules.
- Can 'travieso' be used for adults?
- While primarily associated with children, 'travieso' can describe adults in a playful or flirtatious context, often carrying a teasing or cheeky connotation.
- What is the difference between 'travieso' and 'malcriado'?
- The term 'travieso' suggests harmless, playful naughtiness, whereas 'malcriado' implies someone who is rude, spoiled, or poorly raised, carrying a much stronger negative judgment.