basura
/baˈsuɾa/standard
The Spanish word basura means "trash", "garbage" or "rubbish". It is a feminine noun, so you say la basura, and it is pronounced bah-SOO-rah.
Use basura for waste you throw away. Common phrases are tirar la basura (to throw out the trash) and sacar la basura (to take out the trash). It is also used for something of very poor quality, as in Esta película es una basura, "This movie is garbage".
Meaning: waste material that is thrown away (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
For the trash can, Spain often says cubo de la basura while Mexico commonly says bote de basura.
How do you pronounce it?
Stress the middle syllable, ba-SU-ra. The r between vowels is a single quick tap of the tongue, like the dd in the American pronunciation of "ladder".
Did you know?
- The same word appears in basura espacial, the Spanish term for "space junk".
Examples in context
- Saca la basura, por favor.Take out the trash, please.
- No tires la basura en la calle.Do not throw trash in the street.
- Esta película es una basura.This movie is garbage.
Example conversation
Elena reminds her brother Pablo about a chore at home.
- ElenaPablo, ¿sacaste la basura?Pablo, did you take out the trash?
- PabloTodavía no. Ahora voy.Not yet. I am going now.
- ElenaGracias. El camión pasa pronto.Thanks. The truck comes soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry basura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of .
