Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aburrimiento | /aburiˈmjento/ | masculine |
| tedio | /ˈtedjo/ | masculine |
| hastío | /asˈtio/ | masculine |
| muermo | /ˈmweɾmo/ | masculine |
| embole | /emˈbole/ | masculine |
All the provided forms are masculine nouns used to describe the state of being bored. Use aburrimiento for the general state of being bored. Use tedio or hastío for more profound, existential or heavy sensations of boredom. Use muermo to describe something or someone that is incredibly dull.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun aburrimiento is derived from the verb aburrir, which means to bore.
Which one should you use?
aburrimiento is the standard and most common word for everyday contexts. tedio refers to a more profound or heavy sense of boredom, often translated as tedium or ennui. hastío describes a state of being fed up or weary, often carrying a connotation of deep dissatisfaction. While tedio is a word used in Spain, it is also more formal than aburrimiento. hastío is specifically a literary or poetic term.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
aburrimiento is the neutral, standard term. tedio and hastío are more formal or literary options. muermo is a colloquial term used to describe something extremely boring.
Is it said differently in some regions?
tedio is also noted as a word used in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms provided, including aburrimiento, tedio, hastío, muermo and embole, are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/aburiˈmjento/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word embole is used to describe a boring situation, often implying a feeling of being stuck or trapped.
- The colloquial term for something extremely dull, muermo, shares an etymological root with the word for 'disease', morbo.
- The suffix '-miento' in aburrimiento is a common way in Spanish to turn an action into a noun describing a state or result.
Examples in context
- Tom no distingue con facilidad el aburrimiento del hambre.Tom is not able to easily distinguish between boredom and hunger.This sentence shows how to distinguish between the concepts of aburrimiento and hunger.Tatoeba #4886616 by wallebot, translation #3610851 by uxintro
- Combatí el aburrimiento durante mi largo viaje leyendo novelas de misterio.I distracted myself from the boredom of my long journey by reading mysteries.This sentence illustrates using an activity to combat aburrimiento.Tatoeba #2062744 by lazarus1907, translation #278075 by rosellek
- El aburrimiento, la rutina y la falta de curiosidad son los mayores enemigos de nuestro cerebro.The boredom, routine and lack of curiosity are the major enemies of our brain.This sentence lists aburrimiento alongside routine and lack of curiosity as enemies of the brain.Tatoeba #1038853 by massama, translation #2156513 by galoosh33
- El conferencista elaboró su discurso con tanto detalle que me causó aburrimiento.The speaker elaborated his speech with so much detail that it caused boredom in me.
- La monotonía de la rutina me ha sumido en un profundo hastío.The monotony of the routine has plunged me into a deep boredom.
- Estoy en casa sin hacer nada, ¡qué aburrimiento!I'm at home doing nothing, how boring!
- Este libro es un auténtico tedio, no puedo ni terminarlo.This book is so boring, I can't even finish it.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Javier are talking about their weekend.
- MaríaMaría, ¿qué hiciste el sábado?María, what did you do on Saturday?
- JavierNada, morí de aburrimiento en casa.Nothing, I was bored to death at home.
- María¿No viste ninguna película?Didn't you watch any movies?
- JavierSí, pero no quitó el aburrimiento.Yes, but it didn't take away the boredom.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boredom” translations and entries aburrimiento, tedio, hastío, muermo, embole, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aburrimiento, hastío, muermo, tedio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
