escoba
/esˈkoba/feminine
The English word broom is translated into Spanish as escoba. Wiktionary also lists escobillón and escobón.
Meaning: domestic utensil (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| escoba | /esˈkoba/ | feminine |
| escobillón | /eskobiˈʝon/ | Argentina, Chile, masculine |
| escobón | /eskobon/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to a domestic utensil used for sweeping. If you want to use the word cepillo to describe a broom, you must specify it as cepillo de barrer or cepillo para barrer to be clear.
Which one should you use?
While escoba is the standard term, escobón is used to refer to a larger or heavier version of a standard broom. In Argentina and Chile, the term escobillón is used to refer to a large broom or a heavy-duty brush.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Chile, escobillón is the preferred term for a large broom or heavy-duty brush.
How does it change in a sentence?
escoba is a feminine noun. Its plural form is las escobas. escobillón is a masculine noun. Its plural form is los escobillones. escobón is a masculine noun. Its plural form is los escobones.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈkoba/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, there is a superstition that sweeping with an escoba over a person's feet or legs will prevent them from getting married.
- The Spanish phrase pasar la escoba can be used figuratively to mean cleaning house in a political or organizational sense, such as removing many corrupt officials at once.
- The Spanish word escobillón is a linguistic relative of the English word 'scullion', an old term for a lowly kitchen servant.
Examples in context
- ¡Dale con la escoba!Beat him with the broom!This sentence shows how to use the word escoba in a figurative or forceful context.Tatoeba #5844605 by albrusgher, translation #2903497 by mervert1
- Ella trajo una escoba.She brought a broom.This sentence shows a simple use of escoba to describe an object being brought.Tatoeba #4797539 by DarkHollow, translation #2875198 by Amastan
- Voy a coger la escoba.I'll go get the broom.This sentence demonstrates the use of escoba when expressing an intention to fetch the tool.Tatoeba #5844616 by albrusgher, translation #2878235 by CK
- En mi casa, siempre tengo una escoba nueva.In my house, I always have a new broom.
- Asegúrate de barrer bien con la escoba.Make sure to sweep well with the broom.
- Necesito comprar un cepillo de barrer nuevo.I need to buy a new broom.
- ¿Dónde puedo conseguir un cepillo para barrer como el tuyo?Where can I get a broom like yours?
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are cleaning the living room.
- MateoMaría, ¿dónde está la escoba?María, where is the broom?
- MaríaLa escoba está detrás de la puerta.The broom is behind the door.
- MateoGracias, voy a barrer el piso.Thanks, I am going to sweep the floor.
- MaríaEstá bien, yo limpio la mesa.That is fine, I will clean the table.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “broom” translations and entries escoba, escobillón, escobón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escoba, escobillón, escobón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
