Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
PETTY in Spanish: MEZQUINO
Mezquino · adjective · mehs-KEE-noh
Translating 'petty' into Spanish requires choosing between a few options depending on the exact shade of meaning. Mezquino captures the sense of being small-minded, stingy with generosity, or focused on trivial slights. When describing a matter as unimportant or trivial—like a petty dispute—insignificante or trivial works better. For someone who holds grudges over small offenses, rencoroso conveys that vindictive pettiness. The key is matching the translation to whether you are describing a person's character, a grudge, or the importance of an issue.
mehs-KEE-noh
No seas mezquino, olvida lo que pasó ayer.
Don't be petty; forget about what happened yesterday.
Petty in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for petty, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| mezquino | petty | mehs-KEE-noh | Default, widely understood |
| insignificante | petty | for trivial/unimportant matters | |
| rencoroso | petty | holding petty grudges |
How Native Speakers Use Mezquino
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Describing someone's attitude
Fue muy mezquino al no invitarla solo por aquel comentario.
He was very petty for not inviting her just because of that comment.
Mezquino here describes small-minded, spiteful behavior.
A trivial matter
Es una discusión insignificante, no vale la pena pelear por eso.
It is a petty argument; it is not worth fighting over.
Insignificante emphasizes how unimportant the dispute is.
Holding a grudge
Ella es muy rencorosa con las personas que la critican.
She is very petty toward people who criticize her.
Rencorosa implies nursing small grievances over time.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Mezquino
Using pequeño for petty
Incorrect: Eso fue muy pequeño de tu parte.
Correct: Eso fue muy mezquino de tu parte.
Pequeño means 'small' in a physical sense and does not carry the moral judgment of being petty or small-minded the way mezquino does.
Confusing mezquino with mesquita
Incorrect: Él es muy mesquito con el dinero.
Correct: Él es muy mezquino con el dinero.
Mesquito is not a Spanish word. The correct adjective is mezquino, which can also mean stingy or tight-fisted.
Lock in Petty 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 Mezquino used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using mezquino in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear No seas mezquino, olvida lo que pasó ayer. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Petty in Spanish
- What is the best translation of petty in Spanish?
- Mezquino is the most versatile translation when describing a person who is small-minded or focused on trivial offenses. For describing an issue as minor or unimportant, insignificante or trivial works better. The right choice depends on whether you are judging a person's character or the weight of a situation.
- Can mezquino also mean stingy?
- Mezquino carries a double meaning in Spanish: it can describe someone who is petty and small-minded, and it can also describe someone who is stingy or miserly with money or resources. Context usually makes the intended meaning clear, but you can add con el dinero (with money) to specify the stingy meaning.
- How do you say petty cash in Spanish?
- Petty cash is translated as caja chica in most Latin American countries and as caja menor or fondos para gastos menores in Spain. This is a completely different use of 'petty' from the personality trait—it simply means 'small' in the financial accounting sense.