Meaning
Used to dismiss something as foolish or trivial.
Cultural Background
In Spain, '¡Vaya tontería!' is often accompanied by a specific gesture: a quick wave of the hand as if brushing away a fly. While understood, Mexicans might prefer '¡Qué tontería!' or '¡Qué payasada!' to sound slightly less sharp. In the Rioplatense region, '¡Qué pavada!' is the most common equivalent, though 'tontería' is perfectly understood. The use of 'vaya' as an intensifier is slightly more common in Spain than in some Latin American countries, where 'qué' is the dominant exclamatory word.
Use it for comfort
If a friend is embarrassed about a small mistake, say '¡Vaya tontería, no te preocupes!' to make them feel better.
Watch your tone
If said too aggressively, it can sound very rude. Keep it light unless you are truly annoyed.
Meaning
Used to dismiss something as foolish or trivial.
Use it for comfort
If a friend is embarrassed about a small mistake, say '¡Vaya tontería, no te preocupes!' to make them feel better.
Watch your tone
If said too aggressively, it can sound very rude. Keep it light unless you are truly annoyed.
The 'De' trick
Add 'de' to describe anything: '¡Vaya tontería de coche/libro/clase!' to instantly sound like a native.
Test Yourself
Choose the best response to: 'He decidido que voy a ir al trabajo en bicicleta... ¡pero vivo a 50 kilómetros!'
Response:
You are dismissing the *idea* of biking 50km, so '¡Vaya tontería!' is the correct singular form for the situation.
Complete the sentence with the correct word to express dismissal.
¡_____ tontería de plan! No quiero ir.
'Vaya' is the fixed exclamatory form used in this idiom.
Match the situation to the most natural use of '¡Vaya tontería!'.
Situations: 1. A friend is crying over a broken nail. 2. Your boss is giving a serious safety briefing. 3. A stranger asks for directions.
It is used to minimize a small problem among friends. Using it with a boss (2) is rude, and it doesn't fit a simple request for directions (3).
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
When to say '¡Vaya tontería!'
Bad Ideas
- • Biking in rain
- • Buying a pet rock
- • Eating 50 tacos
Small Worries
- • Spilling a drop of water
- • Being 1 minute late
- • A tiny scratch
Practice Bank
3 exercisesResponse:
You are dismissing the *idea* of biking 50km, so '¡Vaya tontería!' is the correct singular form for the situation.
¡_____ tontería de plan! No quiero ir.
'Vaya' is the fixed exclamatory form used in this idiom.
Situations: 1. A friend is crying over a broken nail. 2. Your boss is giving a serious safety briefing. 3. A stranger asks for directions.
It is used to minimize a small problem among friends. Using it with a boss (2) is rude, and it doesn't fit a simple request for directions (3).
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsGrammatically yes, it's from 'ir', but functionally no. It's an interjection that doesn't change.
Yes, they are 95% interchangeable. 'Vaya' feels slightly more emphatic in Spain.
Yes, it is quite informal and dismissive. Avoid it in a student-teacher relationship.
Absolutely, though 'Qué tontería' is slightly more common in some regions like Mexico.
No, if something is a serious crime or a tragedy, 'tontería' is too light. Use 'atrocidad' or 'locura'.
Related Phrases
¡Qué chorrada!
synonymWhat a load of rubbish!
¡Vaya tela!
similarThat's quite something / What a mess!
¡No digas tonterías!
builds onDon't talk nonsense!
Es una nimiedad
specialized formIt is a triviality.
