diablo

devil

noun DYAH-bloh Rare

Origin: From Greek diabolos via Latin diabolus, meaning 'slanderer' or 'accuser'.

Also means

demon

Usage Note

Diablo is used both in religious contexts and in everyday exclamations: ¡diablo! expresses surprise or mild exasperation. The phrase el diablo está en los detalles mirrors 'the devil is in the details'. Diablillo (little devil) is an affectionate term for a mischievous child. The feminine forms diabla and diablesa both exist, though the masculine is far more common.

Examples

"El diablo aparece en muchos cuentos populares."

Natural Translation

The devil appears in many folk tales.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

You're Welcome in Spanish: Beyond De Nada

You're welcome in Spanish is more than de nada. Learn con gusto, no hay de qué, a la orden and more — and which to use by region and how formal the moment is.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Memorize Spanish Vocabulary Fast (That Sticks)

Memorize Spanish vocabulary fast with a 15-minute daily loop: spaced repetition, frequency-first words, and example-sentence cards that actually stick.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spanish Accent Marks: 3 Rules for Every Word

A Spanish word needs an accent mark in just three cases: it breaks the default stress, it's a homophone, or a weak vowel splits off. Here are all three rules.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Ser vs. Estar: When to Use Each in Spanish

Ser vs estar made simple: how you feel and where you are use estar, everything else uses ser. Master the rule, the exceptions, and the traps that flip meaning.

June 3, 2026 6 min read