brutal
/bɾuˈtal/
The English word "brutal" translates to brutal in Spanish.
The primary meaning of brutal is to describe something that is savagely violent. However, in informal contexts, it can also be used to describe something that is extremely impressive, astonishing or intense.
Meaning: savagely violent (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, if you want to express something in a positive way that might be described as brutal in an informal sense, you can use the informal word chido.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective brutal is invariable for gender, so it remains the same whether it modifies a masculine or feminine noun. It does follow standard rules for number. The plural form is brutales.
How do you pronounce it?
/bɾuˈtal/
Did you know?
- The word brutal shares its Latin root brūtus with the English word 'brute', meaning both words evolved from the concept of being 'dull' or 'unthinking' rather than just violent.
- Using brutal to describe an intense experience is similar to how English speakers might use 'killer' to describe a great song or a difficult workout.
- Because brutal is an adjective that describes the quality of an action or thing, it can be used to describe weather, such as un calor brutal, meaning an extremely intense or oppressive heat.
Examples in context
- La ciudad fue arruinada por el brutal poder de la naturaleza.The city was ruined by the brutal force of nature.This sentence shows how to describe the force of nature using brutal.Tatoeba #1287599 by marcelostockle, translation #57830 by Luornu
- En todo el mundo, los refugiados cruzan las fronteras huyendo de un conflicto brutal.Around the world, refugees flow across borders in flight from brutal conflict.This sentence illustrates the use of brutal to describe a conflict.Tatoeba #8302026 by GuidoW, translation #5774009 by Hybrid
- El accidente fue violentoThe accident was brutal
- El trato que recibió fue cruelThe treatment they received was brutal
- El golpe que recibió fue bestialThe punch he received was brutal
- La tormenta fue brutal, destrozó todo a su paso.The storm was brutal, it destroyed everything in its path.
- El ataque fue un acto brutal.The attack was a brutal act.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are discussing a crime news report.
- Mateo¿Viste las noticias sobre el asalto?Did you see the news about the robbery?
- LucíaSí, fue un asalto muy brutal.Yes, it was a very brutal robbery.
- MateoEs aterrador ver algo tan brutal.It is terrifying to see something so brutal.
- LucíaToda la ciudad está en shock.The whole city is in shock.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brutal” translations and entries brutal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries brutal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
