Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| brusco | /ˈbɾusko/ |
| irritante | /iriˈtante/ |
When describing a person's manner or disposition as rough, coarse or blunt in social interactions, use brusco. You may also use irritante if you want to emphasize how much that person's abrasive personality annoys or irritates others.
Which one should you use?
Use brusco to describe a person's blunt or rough manner. In contrast, use abrasivo to describe physical substances, such as sandpaper or cleaning agents, that cause literal abrasion. While brusco focuses on social manner, irritante focuses on the irritation the person causes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you might use rudo or grosero to describe someone with an abrasive demeanor. In Spain, desagradable or cortante are common choices when referring to abrasive behavior.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree with the gender and number of the person or noun being described. brusco is the masculine singular form, while brusca is the feminine singular form. For plural groups, use bruscos for masculine or mixed groups and bruscas for feminine groups.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbɾusko/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word brusco was originally a loanword borrowed from the Italian language.
- In Spanish, the word brusco is used to describe both an abrasive personality and a 'sharp' turn in a vehicle.
- While brusco implies a lack of tact, calling someone grosero in Mexico suggests they have a 'vulgar' nature or poor upbringing.
Examples in context
- ¿Crees que soy brusco?Do you think I'm abrasive?This sentence is useful for asking if someone's behavior is perceived as abrasive using brusco.Tatoeba #9769856 by Eremon, translation #1886056 by CK
- Estaba siendo muy brusco.He was being very abrasive.This sentence is useful for describing someone who was being abrasive using brusco.Tatoeba #9769849 by Eremon, translation #3545851 by danieljtah
- Intenta ser un poco menos brusco. Ustedes dos se van a tener que llevar bien.Try to be a little less abrasive. The two of you will have to get along with each other.This sentence is useful for advising someone to soften their abrasive manner using brusco.Tatoeba #9769860 by Eremon, translation #8054840 by AlanF_US
- El papel de lija es muy áspero al tacto.The sandpaper is very abrasive to the touch.
- El profesor tiene un estilo de enseñanza áspero.The professor has an abrasive teaching style.
- Siempre está haciendo comentarios molestos y provocadores.He is always making abrasive and provocative comments.
- Su actitud chocante no fue bien recibida en la reunión.His abrasive attitude was not well received in the meeting.
Example conversation
Sofía tells Alejandro that his tone of voice was too harsh during a meeting.
- SofíaAlejandro, fuiste muy brusco con el cliente hoy.Alejandro, you were very abrasive with the client today.
- AlejandroLo siento, no quería sonar así.I'm sorry, I didn't want to sound that way.
- SofíaTu tono fue demasiado brusco y directo.Your tone was too abrasive and direct.
- AlejandroTienes razón, trataré de ser más amable.You're right, I will try to be kinder.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “abrasive” translations and entries brusco, irritante, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries brusco, irritante, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
