nounnouninterjection

el diablo

devil · damn

Es un ser imaginario que representa el mal y suele aparecer en historias o creencias religiosas como enemigo de lo bueno.

Definition & meaning

Devil: an evil supernatural being, especially Satan in Christianity.
Mischievous person: someone, often a child, who is naughty or troublesome.
Exclamation of annoyance or surprise: in expressions such as “¡diablos!”, meaning “Damn!” or “What the heck!”

Grammar & Word origin

Diablo is a masculine noun: el diablo; plural los diablos. It comes from Latin diabolus, ultimately from Greek diábolos, meaning “slanderer” or “accuser.”

Synonyms & antonyms

Satanás — Satan; specifically the chief devil, whereas diablo can also refer to a devil in general.
demonio — demon; a broader term for an evil spirit.
travieso — mischievous; an adjective describing naughty behavior, often more mildly than calling someone a diablo.
ángel — angel; a common opposite in the sense of a good supernatural being or a very well-behaved person.

Common phrases & collocations

¡Al diablo! — “To hell with it!” or “Damn it!”
¡Qué diablos! — “What the heck!” or “Why not!”
Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo — Experience brings wisdom; literally, “The devil knows more from being old than from being the devil.”