burdel
/buɾˈdel/
The English phrase bordello is translated into Spanish as burdel.
For more formal contexts, you can use the phrase Casa de citas, which translates to 'house of appointments' or Local de entretenimiento adulto, meaning 'adult entertainment venue'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While burdel is a common term, prostíbulo serves as a more formal or clinical way to say brothel. In formal settings, you might also use Casa de citas or Local de entretenimiento adulto.
How does it change in a sentence?
To talk about more than one, the plural form of burdel is burdeles.
How do you pronounce it?
/buɾˈdel/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the Italianate form 'bordello' instead of the correct Spanish word burdel.
Did you know?
- The word burdel is frequently used in Spanish as a metaphor to describe any place that is disorganized or chaotic.
- In older Spanish literature, you might find the term casa de tolerancia, which suggests the state 'tolerates' the establishment's existence.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the term casa de citas was historically used as a legal euphemism to bypass strict municipal laws.
Examples in context
- El burdel está cerca del puerto.The brothel is near the port.
- Dicen que ese burdel es muy antiguo.They say that brothel is very old.
- No quiero pasar por delante de ese burdel.I don't want to walk past that brothel.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are walking through a dark part of the city.
- Sofía¿Viste ese burdel al final de la calle?Did you see that brothel at the end of the street?
- MateoSí, es un lugar bastante oscuro.Yes, it is a quite dark place.
- SofíaPrefiero que caminemos por la avenida principal.I prefer that we walk along the main avenue.
- MateoDe acuerdo, Sofía, vamos por allá.Alright, Sofía, let's go that way.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry burdel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
