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piojoso means lousy — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 5, 2025

😆 Funny Words

piojoso

adjective • /[pyo-HO-so]/

lousy

Example:

Ese peluche piojoso ya no sirve.

That lousy teddy bear is useless now.

🧠 What does piojoso mean?

The adjective 'piojoso' literally means 'lousy' or 'infested with lice', deriving from the noun 'piojo' (louse). While it can be used in this literal sense, especially for animals, it is more commonly used figuratively as a derogatory term. In this colloquial sense, 'piojoso' can describe someone who is extremely stingy, miserly, or cheap. It can also be used to describe something as shabby, run-down, or of very poor quality. The underlying idea connects the unpleasantness of lice with contemptible behavior or wretched conditions.

📚 Extra examples

  • El veterinario dijo que el perro callejero estaba piojoso y necesitaba un tratamiento.
    The veterinarian said the stray dog was lousy and needed treatment.
  • No seas piojoso y deja una propina decente al camarero.
    Don't be so stingy and leave a decent tip for the waiter.
  • Me regaló un reloj piojoso que se rompió al día siguiente.
    He gave me a shabby watch that broke the next day.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'piojoso' is a powerful example of how a physical condition can become a metaphor for a character flaw. The negative association with 'piojos' (lice)—implying uncleanliness and poverty—is extended to describe a 'miserable' or 'stingy' person, as if their cheapness were a form of social uncleanliness.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "piojoso"

Synonyms: tacaño, avaro, miserable, cutre, roñoso
Opposites: generoso, dadivoso, limpio, aseado, lujoso

🔍 See more funny words words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'lousy' in Spanish?
The literal translation for 'lousy' (infested with lice) is 'piojoso'. However, for the more common English meaning of 'lousy' (very bad), other words like 'malísimo', 'terrible', 'pésimo', or 'de mala calidad' are typically used.
How do you pronounce 'piojoso' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is 'pyoh-HOH-soh', with the stress on the second syllable. The 'j' is pronounced like the 'h' in 'hello'.
How do you use 'piojoso' in a sentence?
An example is: 'Ese hotel piojoso no tenía ni agua caliente.' This translates to 'That shabby hotel didn't even have hot water.'
What is the English translation of 'piojoso'?
The literal English translation is 'lousy' (infested with lice). Figuratively, it translates to 'stingy', 'miserly', 'cheap', 'shabby', or 'wretched'.
Does 'piojoso' change for gender or number?
Yes, it is a regular adjective and must agree with the noun it modifies. The forms are: piojoso (masculine singular), piojosa (feminine singular), piojosos (masculine plural), and piojosas (feminine plural).
Is 'piojoso' common in everyday Spanish?
Its figurative use as an insult for a stingy person or a shabby object is fairly common in informal, colloquial speech. Its literal use is much less frequent. It is considered a strong and offensive word.
Does 'piojoso' have slang or double meanings?
Yes, its primary slang or double meaning is to describe a person as extremely stingy or miserly, or an object as being of terrible quality. This figurative use is much more common than its literal meaning of being infested with lice.
Is 'piojoso' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The word is understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, but its frequency and specific nuance can vary. In some regions, it might be used more to mean 'poor' or 'filthy', while in others, the 'stingy' connotation is dominant. It is generally considered a harsh insult everywhere.

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