Swear words in Spain

Spaniards swear constantly. “Joder” and “hostia” barely register.

The 10 most-used swear words in Spain, ranked from nuclear to Grandma-safe. Tap “Hear it” to hear each one, or tap a red bar to reveal a word.

1. 1
   hijo de puta EE-ho deh POO-tahSon of a whore.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
2. 2
   joder ho-DEHRF***. The national exclamation.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
3. 3
   coño KOH-nyoC***; “damn!”
   Rude ▶ Hear it
4. 4
   gilipollas hee-lee-POH-yasIdiot. Spain’s favorite insult.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
5. 5
   me cago en la leche meh KAH-go en la LEH-chehI shit in the milk.
   Rude ▶ Hear it
7. 6
   cabrón kah-BRONBastard (a billy goat).
   Rude ▶ Hear it
8. 7
   hostia OSS-tyaThe communion wafer; also a punch.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
9. 8
   capullo kah-POO-yoJerk (a cocoon, or foreskin).
   Mild ▶ Hear it
10. 9
    mierda mee-EHR-daShit.
    Mild ▶ Hear it
11. 10
    que te den keh teh DENGet stuffed.
    Mild ▶ Hear it