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

📅 Published: February 1, 2026

😆 Funny Words

tarugo

noun • /[ta-ROO-go]/

blockhead

Example:

¡No seas tarugo!

Don’t be a blockhead!

🧠 What does tarugo mean?

The word 'tarugo' literally refers to a block of wood, a wooden peg, or a dowel. However, its most common use in everyday Spanish is as a colloquial insult. When applied to a person, it means 'blockhead', 'dunce', or 'dolt'. It describes someone who is slow-witted, clumsy, or not very intelligent. While it is an insult, it is generally considered mild and is often used in a humorous or affectionate, teasing manner among friends or family, rather than with genuine malice.

📚 Extra examples

  • No seas tarugo, la puerta se empuja, no se tira.
    Don't be a blockhead, you push the door, you don't pull it.
  • ¡Qué tarugo soy! Dejé las llaves dentro del coche otra vez.
    What a blockhead I am! I left the keys inside the car again.
  • El dependiente era un tarugo que no sabía nada sobre los productos.
    The shop assistant was a dunce who knew nothing about the products.

💡 Did You Know?

The figurative meaning of 'tarugo' as a 'blockhead' is directly derived from its literal meaning. The image of a solid, dense, and unthinking block of wood is metaphorically applied to a person. This connection between a wooden block and a slow-witted person is also present in the English term 'blockhead'.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "tarugo"

Synonyms: zopenco, tonto, necio, bruto, torpe, cabeza hueca
Opposites: listo, inteligente, genio, sabio, lumbrera

🔍 See more funny words words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'blockhead' in Spanish?
A common way to say 'blockhead' in Spanish is 'tarugo'. Other similar terms include 'zopenco', 'torpe', 'tonto', or 'cabeza hueca'.
How do you pronounce 'tarugo' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is ta-RU-go, with the emphasis on the second syllable. The 'g' is a hard 'g' sound, as in the English word 'go'.
How do you use 'tarugo' in a sentence?
It is used as a noun to describe a person, often preceded by 'ser' or 'estar'. For example: 'Mi primo es un tarugo para las matemáticas.' (My cousin is a blockhead when it comes to math.)
What is the English translation of 'tarugo'?
The most frequent English translation of 'tarugo' as an insult is 'blockhead', 'dolt', or 'dunce'. Its literal meaning is a 'block of wood' or 'wooden peg'.
Does 'tarugo' change for gender or number?
Yes, it follows standard Spanish noun rules. The feminine form is 'taruga'. The plurals are 'tarugos' (masculine) and 'tarugas' (feminine).
Is 'tarugo' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it is a fairly common colloquialism, particularly in Spain. It is used in informal contexts among people who know each other well.
Does 'tarugo' have slang or double meanings?
Yes. Its primary double meaning is its literal sense as a block of wood. The figurative, slang meaning is 'blockhead'. Additionally, in Mexico, a 'tarugo' can be a type of popular tamarind candy.
Is 'tarugo' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
In Spain, it is a very common informal insult. While it is understood in many parts of Latin America, its frequency varies. In Mexico, the word is also widely known as a type of candy, which is a significant regional difference.

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