suciedad
/suθjeˈdad/
The English word 'dirt' is translated into Spanish as suciedad.
Suciedad is used to describe dirt as a substance that makes something unclean. If you are referring to dirt in the sense of soil, earth or the ground, use tierra. For dirt that is specifically soil or the surface of the earth, you can use suelo. If the dirt has a thick and sticky consistency, it is called barro (mud). To describe dirt that exists in clumps or lumps, use terrones.
Meaning: soil or earth (noun)
Which one should you use?
While suciedad refers to dirt as a substance that makes something unclean, tierra is used when referring to dirt as soil, earth or the ground. For more specific types of dirt, use barro for mud and terrones for clumps of dirt.
How does it change in a sentence?
Suciedad is an uncountable noun, much like 'dirt' is in English.
How do you pronounce it?
/suθjeˈdad/
Did you know?
- If you are talking about 'dirt' as in scandalous gossip, Spanish speakers often use the word chismes instead of any word for physical filth.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, calling someone sucio or sucia does not just mean they are physically dirty, but can imply they are immoral or 'sleazy'.
- Spanish uses barro for mud, but in an artistic context, this same word is used to describe the raw clay used in pottery.
Examples in context
- El jabón ayuda a eliminar la suciedad.Soap helps remove the dirt.This sentence shows how soap can be used to remove suciedad.Tatoeba #727599 by Shishir, translation #272214 by CM
- Ellos no encontraron herida alguna o sangre a la vista, pero había cantidad de barro y suciedad en el pelo y, de hecho, por todo su cuerpo, y él pensó que lo mejor sería limpiarse por si mismo.They found no hurt or blood upon him, but there was a quantity of mud and dirt about his hair and indeed his whole person, and he thought it would be best to cleanse himself.This sentence describes a person covered in mud and suciedad.Tatoeba #6864183 by albrusgher, translation #6212398 by Hybrid
- El jabón tiene la propiedad de remover la suciedad.Soap has the property of removing dirt.This sentence explains the property of soap in removing suciedad.Tatoeba #1677029 by africanus, translation #272232 by hecko
- Antes de sembrar, debes preparar la tierra adecuadamente.Before planting, you should prepare the soil properly.
- El suelo de este jardín es rico en nutrientes.The soil in this garden is nutrient-rich.
- Limpia los terrones de la tierra antes de sembrar césped.Remove the clumps of dirt before planting the grass.
- Después de la lluvia, el barro se acumula en la entrada.After the rain, the dirt accumulates at the entrance.
- No puedo creer la suciedad que hay en esta habitación.I can't believe the dirt in this room.
- Asegúrate de limpiar toda la mugre debajo del sofá.Make sure to clean all the dirt under the sofa.
- ¡No toques eso! Está lleno de porquería.Don't touch that! It's full of dirt.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are cleaning the living room.
- MaríaHay demasiada suciedad en el suelo.There is too much dirt on the floor.
- AlejandroTienes razón, vamos a barrer ahora.You are right, let's sweep now.
- María¿Puedes quitar la suciedad de la alfombra?Can you remove the dirt from the rug?
- AlejandroSí, buscaré la aspiradora.Yes, I will look for the vacuum cleaner.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry suciedad, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
