Meaning
Expresses strong repulsion or disgust towards something.
Cultural Background
In Spain, '¡Qué asco!' is frequently used for general frustration, even if nothing is physically dirty. For example, if it rains on your wedding day, someone might say '¡Qué asco de tiempo!'. Mexicans often prefer '¡Guácala!' for physical disgust. It's an iconic part of Mexican slang and feels slightly more playful than the heavy '¡Qué asco!'. In Argentina, 'asco' is used heavily in political and social discourse to express deep disdain for corruption or 'caretas' (fake people). In Colombia, '¡Fuchi!' is very common when reacting specifically to bad smells, often accompanied by waving a hand in front of the nose.
Use your face!
This phrase is 50% vocal and 50% facial expression. Scrunched nose and a slight frown make it authentic.
Careful with 'Eres un asco'
Telling someone 'Eres un asco' is a very strong insult, meaning 'You are disgusting/vile'. Use with extreme caution.
Meaning
Expresses strong repulsion or disgust towards something.
Use your face!
This phrase is 50% vocal and 50% facial expression. Scrunched nose and a slight frown make it authentic.
Careful with 'Eres un asco'
Telling someone 'Eres un asco' is a very strong insult, meaning 'You are disgusting/vile'. Use with extreme caution.
The 'de' construction
Use '¡Qué asco de...!' to complain about abstract things like '¡Qué asco de día!' or '¡Qué asco de tráfico!' to sound like a native.
Regional sounds
In Spain, people often add a 'pff' sound before saying it to emphasize the air being expelled in disgust.
Test Yourself
Complete the exclamation with the correct word.
¡____ asco! Hay una mosca en mi sopa.
In Spanish, '¡Qué + [Noun]!' is the standard way to form an exclamation.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'Spiders gross me out'?
Select the correct option:
The verb 'dar' is used with 'asco' to express that something causes disgust in you.
Match the situation to the correct reaction.
Situation: You hear that a politician stole money from a charity.
'¡Qué asco!' is used for moral disgust and indignation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Quieres probar este queso? Huele un poco mal. B: ¡No, gracias! ________.
'Me da asco' is the standard way to say 'It grosses me out'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of 'Asco'
Physical
- • Rotten food
- • Bad smells
- • Insects
Moral
- • Lies
- • Corruption
- • Betrayal
Situational
- • Bad weather
- • Traffic
- • Bad luck
Practice Bank
4 exercises¡____ asco! Hay una mosca en mi sopa.
In Spanish, '¡Qué + [Noun]!' is the standard way to form an exclamation.
Select the correct option:
The verb 'dar' is used with 'asco' to express that something causes disgust in you.
Situation: You hear that a politician stole money from a charity.
'¡Qué asco!' is used for moral disgust and indignation.
A: ¿Quieres probar este queso? Huele un poco mal. B: ¡No, gracias! ________.
'Me da asco' is the standard way to say 'It grosses me out'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it is not a swear word. It is a common, though informal, exclamation. Children use it, and it is safe for TV.
Yes, but it's very insulting. It implies the person is physically or morally repulsive.
'Asco' is for filth/disgust. 'Grima' is for that 'shiver' you get from sounds like nails on a chalkboard or touching certain textures.
Use the phrase 'Me da asco'. For example: 'Me da asco el pescado'.
No, 'Guácala' is strictly Latin American (mostly Mexican). In Spain, they stick to '¡Qué asco!'.
No. 'Asco' is a masculine noun and never changes its ending based on the speaker's gender.
Only if you find something truly wrong with the food (like a bug). Saying it just because you don't like the taste is rude.
There isn't a direct single word, but '¡Qué rico!' (for food) or '¡Qué maravilla!' (for situations) are good opposites.
Yes, if the movie is very gory or gross, you can say 'La película me dio asco'.
It's a common dramatic way to say 'Life sucks right now'. It's not about physical dirt, but emotional frustration.
Related Phrases
asqueroso
similardisgusting (adjective)
dar grima
similarto give the creeps
repugnante
synonymrepugnant
guácala
specialized formyuck (slang)
fuchi
specialized formew (smell)
