Adjective
/hos.ko/
"Hosco" is used to describe a person who is unfriendly, moody, or generally unpleasant in their demeanor. It is not frequently used in everyday conversation and tends to appear more in literary or formal contexts. Its use is more common in written language than in oral speech, where other terms may be preferred.
Translation: His surly attitude does not help him make friends.
La mirada hosca del anciano asustó a los niños.
Translation: The old man's sullen gaze scared the children.
Aunque era hosco por fuera, en el fondo tenía un buen corazón.
While "hosco" may not have a wealth of idiomatic expressions directly related to it, it still can help convey various moods or personalities in different phrases. Its use often emphasizes a character's negative disposition or resistance to social interaction.
Translation: Sometimes, his grumpy comments stop the conversation.
La hospitalidad no era su fuerte; siempre se mostraba hosco con los visitantes.
Translation: Hospitality was not his strong suit; he always appeared surly with visitors.
El ambiente se volvió hosco tras la noticia de la renuncia.
The word "hosco" originates from the Latin word "fŏrāx," meaning "wild" or "untamed." Over time, it evolved in the Spanish language to depict a personality that is similarly untamed or unapproachable.