Cuco (en. Cuckoo)

/ˈku.ko/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
noun
A fantastic being used to scare children.
The mother told the child not to go out because the cuco could take him away.
La madre le dijo al niño que no saliera porque el cuco podía llevárselo.
A person who causes fear or unease.
That cuco in the neighborhood is always doing strange things.
Ese cuco del barrio siempre está haciendo cosas extrañas.

Etymology

From Latin 'cucŭlus', which designates a bird with a peculiar song.

Common Phrases and Expressions

a cuco
expression that indicates something that is just a scare or trick.
a cuco
to be a cuco
to refer to someone who is feared or unpleasant.
ser un cuco

Related Words

cucuy
A creature similar in the folklore of some Spanish-speaking countries, which frightens children.
cucuy
cucu
A term used in some countries to refer to a surprise or something unexpected.
cucu

Slang Meanings

A person who seems harmless but can be dangerous.
Don't trust him, he seems like a cuco.
No te fíes de él, parece un cuco.
Something used to scare someone in a humorous way.
I scared my sister and she almost fainted.
Le hice un cuco a mi hermana y casi se desmaya.