pobre diablo
Lemma Details
Translation: poor devil; poor soul; poor wretch; unfortunate person
Part of Speech: noun phrase
Etymology: This Spanish expression combines 'pobre' (poor), from Latin 'pauper' (poor, with limited means), and 'diablo' (devil), from Latin 'diabolus', ultimately from Greek 'diábolos' meaning 'slanderer' or 'accuser'. The expression uses the devil figure metaphorically to express pity rather than evil, creating a compassionate idiom for someone in an unfortunate situation.
Commonality: 60%
Guessability: 80%
Register: informal
Example Usage
Es solo un pobre diablo que no tiene donde caerse muerto.
He's just a poor soul who doesn't have a penny to his name.
No te preocupes por él, es un pobre diablo que no puede hacerte daño.
Don't worry about him, he's a poor wretch who can't harm you.
Trabajó toda su vida y terminó siendo un pobre diablo sin nada.
He worked all his life and ended up being a poor devil with nothing.
Mnemonics
- Think of a devil who has lost all his power and wealth - a 'poor devil'
- Imagine someone so unfortunate that even the devil feels sorry for them
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This expression is commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries to refer to someone who is in a pitiful situation or who is considered insignificant or unfortunate. It conveys a mix of pity and slight contempt. The phrase appears frequently in literature and everyday speech when referring to someone who deserves compassion due to their circumstances.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'pobre diablo' is an established idiom meaning an unfortunate person, 'diablo pobre' would be a literal description of an impoverished devil, not a common expression.
This word:
Juan es un pobre diablo que siempre tiene mala suerte.
Juan is a poor soul who always has bad luck.
Confused word:
En el cuento, el diablo pobre no podía comprar almas.
In the story, the impoverished devil couldn't afford to buy souls.
Notes: The order of words matters in Spanish expressions. 'Pobre diablo' is an established idiom, while reversing the order changes the meaning completely.
Mnemonic: 'Pobre diablo' (adjective before noun) is the fixed expression for a pitiful person; 'diablo pobre' (noun before adjective) would just describe a devil without money.