/ˈtonto/
Translation
silly, foolish, stupid
Word origin
The origin is debated. It is widely regarded as an expressive or nursery-language formation rather than a clear Latin descendant.
- Origin
- Vulgar Latin
Other proposed origins
- Most often explained as an expressive reduplicative word of the kind common in child language for 'silly, foolish'. (expressive ton-ton)
- Some link it to Latin attonitus ('thunderstruck, stunned'), from attonare. (attonitus)
Grammar
Examples
.
Do not be silly and think before you speak.
.
What a silly question from someone so intelligent.
.
He felt very foolish after making that obvious mistake.
, .
Out of foolishness, he lost the chance of a lifetime.
.
It is a silly quarrel between two good friends.
Where this fits
Used in
Grammar articles
(4)Spanish Collocations: tomar una decisión, hacer una pregunta, cometer un error
Spanish Intermediate Grammar (B1-B2): The Things That Stop You at the Plateau
Spanish Noun Suffixes: -ción, -dad, -miento, -eza (and the gender each gives)
Spanish Set Phrases with tener, dar, hacer, echar (tener ganas, echar de menos, hacer falta)
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tonto: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "tonto" (silly, foolish, stupid): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 10.