Astutos

Astutos is the plural masculine form of the Spanish adjective astuto, which describes a person or action characterized by shrewdness, craft, or quick perception. A person described as astuto is considered capable of discerning hidden aspects, devising effective strategies, or eluding simple traps. The nuance ranges from prudent cunning to sly or deceitful, depending on context and tone. The feminine form is astuta, and the plural feminine is astutas; the masculine plural astutos is used when referring to a group of masculine or mixed-gender individuals or to masculine-noun subjects.

Etymology: Astuto derives from Latin astutus, meaning cunning or sly, related to the noun astucia (cunning). The term entered Spanish through Latin and early Romance, becoming common in medieval and modern usage.

Usage: The word is commonly used in neutral or positive contexts to denote cleverness: for example, “un plan astuto” (a clever plan) or “una persona astuta” (a shrewd person). It can also carry a negative connotation when implying deceit or manipulation, as in “un comerciante astuto que engaña a otros” (a cunning merchant who deceives others). Astuto is widely used across Spanish-speaking regions, though frequency and tone may vary regionally.

See also: astucia, sagaz, listo, ingenioso, taimado.