Meaning
Describes someone who studies a lot and is very dedicated to learning.
Cultural Background
The 'Cultura del Esfuerzo' (Culture of Effort) is strong in Spain due to the 'Oposiciones' system. Being an 'empollón' is often a necessity to get a stable government job. In Mexico, 'matado' is the preferred term. It comes from 'matarse estudiando' (to kill oneself studying). It is very common in high schools. The term 'traga' is the most common slang. It's short for 'tragallibros' (book-swallower). It can be quite pejorative among teenagers. Chileans use 'mateo'. It is generally more positive than 'empollón', implying the student is both smart and hardworking.
Use it playfully
It's best used as a lighthearted tease among friends rather than a serious description.
Gender matters
Don't forget to change it to 'empollona' for women, or it will sound very strange!
Meaning
Describes someone who studies a lot and is very dedicated to learning.
Use it playfully
It's best used as a lighthearted tease among friends rather than a serious description.
Gender matters
Don't forget to change it to 'empollona' for women, or it will sound very strange!
Regional awareness
If you are in Latin America, try using 'matado' or 'traga' to impress the locals.
The verb form
You can also use the verb 'empollarse' (e.g., 'Me he empollado todo el libro') to mean you studied something intensely.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'empollón'.
María siempre saca las mejores notas, es una ________.
Since María is female, we use the feminine singular form 'empollona'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'They are bookworms'?
Ellos...
We use 'ser' for personality traits, and 'empollones' loses the accent mark in the plural.
Match the phrase to the context.
Context: A friend refuses to go to a party to study for a minor quiz.
This is the most natural informal way to tease a friend in this situation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Por qué no salió Juan anoche? B: Porque ________ y tenía que repasar.
The structure 'ser + un + noun' is the standard way to use this idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Regional Synonyms
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMaría siempre saca las mejores notas, es una ________.
Since María is female, we use the feminine singular form 'empollona'.
Ellos...
We use 'ser' for personality traits, and 'empollones' loses the accent mark in the plural.
Context: A friend refuses to go to a party to study for a minor quiz.
This is the most natural informal way to tease a friend in this situation.
A: ¿Por qué no salió Juan anoche? B: Porque ________ y tenía que repasar.
The structure 'ser + un + noun' is the standard way to use this idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot usually. It's more of a label. It can be an insult if said with a mean tone, but usually, it's just informal teasing.
Yes, especially if they are studying for a master's degree or a professional exam.
'Estudioso' is formal and positive. 'Empollón' is informal and can imply studying too much.
No, it specifically implies effort and time spent studying. For someone naturally smart, use 'cerebrito' or 'listo'.
You can say 'es un poco empollón' or use 'friki' if you mean nerdy about hobbies like Star Wars.
People will understand it because of Spanish media, but they don't use it in daily speech.
The feminine plural is 'empollonas'.
No, the word only describes people, not things or tasks.
Yes, 'empollar' means to study hard for an exam.
Very! Any Spanish teen drama (like Élite) will use this word frequently.
Related Phrases
Hincar los codos
similarTo study hard (literally: to dig in one's elbows).
Cerebrito
similarA little brain / whiz kid.
Ratón de biblioteca
synonymLibrary mouse (bookworm).
Ser un hacha
similarTo be an axe (to be very good at something).
Pasarse de listo
contrastTo be a smart-aleck.
