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notorious and Spanish notorio
In English
notorious
famous for something bad
In Spanish
notorio
evidente, conocido
Spanish "notorio" means: well-known / evident
Why they get mixed up Spanish "notorio" can mean something well-known or evident, without a necessarily negative connotation. English "notorious" has a negative connotation: famous for something bad or shameful. Spanish "notorio" in a neutral sense is "well-known" in English.
If you want to say...
- notoriousde mala fama
- obviousnotorio (evidente)
- well knownmuy conocido
Examples
He's a notorious criminal.
Es un criminal de mala fama.
The area is notorious for crime.
La zona es famosa por la delincuencia.
The prison is notorious for its harsh conditions.
La prisión es conocida por sus duras condiciones.
He became notorious after the scandal.
Se hizo tristemente célebre tras el escándalo.
Common mistakes in Spanish
Incorrect: Es una persona notoria por su generosidad.
Correct: Es una persona conocida por su generosidad.
Notorio in Spanish can mean well known or obvious. For a bad reputation, use de mala fama or tristemente célebre.
Incorrect: Fue un criminal notorio: todos lo conocían por sus crímenes.
Correct: Fue un criminal de mala fama: todos lo conocían por sus crímenes.
For notorious, use de mala fama or tristemente célebre.
Phrases you will hear
- a notorious criminalun criminal de mala fama
- notorious for corruptionconocido por su corrupción
- a notorious prisonuna prisión tristemente célebre
- notorietymala fama
- an obvious improvementuna mejora evidente
- well knownmuy conocido
In a conversation
- A:
The prison is notorious for harsh conditions.
La prisión es conocida por sus duras condiciones.
- B:
Is it well known?
¿Es muy conocida?
- A:
Yes, and the criminal is notorious.
Sí, y el criminal es de mala fama.
- B:
That's a bad reputation.
Esa es una mala reputación.
Test yourself
"A notorious gangster" is a gangster who is...
To remember it
Notorious = famous for something bad. Evident/well-known (Spanish "notorio") = obvious/well-known.
Frequently asked questions
What does Spanish "notorio" mean?
Spanish "notorio" means "well-known / evident". It looks like the English "notorious", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "notorious" means "famous for something bad".
Does English "notorious" mean the same as Spanish "notorio"?
Spanish "notorio" can mean something well-known or evident, without a necessarily negative connotation. English "notorious" has a negative connotation: famous for something bad or shameful. Spanish "notorio" in a neutral sense is "well-known" in English.