puta

Puta is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese with multiple related meanings. Most commonly it denotes a sex worker (prostitute) and, as a pejorative, serves as a strong insult directed at a person, typically a woman. In different dialects it also functions as an intensifier in expressions of frustration or anger, which can be considered vulgar or offensive in many contexts. The masculine equivalent in many varieties is puto, which can carry similar insulting weight and, in some regions, may refer to a male sex worker or serve as a general insult.

Etymology and forms: The word originates in Iberian Romance languages and historically referred to prostitution. The feminine form puta and the masculine form puto are widely attested in Spanish and Portuguese, with various regional nuances in meaning and degree of severity. Compound or contextual phrases, such as la puta madre in certain dialects, function as set expletives or emphatic intensifiers.

Usage and social perception: Because the term is tied to sexuality and gender, it is considered vulgar and offensive in many contexts, especially when aimed at someone directly. Its acceptability varies by country, social setting, and relationship between speakers. In some subcultures or among friends, the words may be used more casually or reclaimed, but they remain controversial and are not appropriate in formal or respectful discourse.

In literature, media, and everyday speech, puta appears as part of broader discussions of profanity, gendered language, and social attitudes toward sex work and women.