escoria
/esˈkoɾja/
The Spanish phrase for dirtbag is escoria.
escoria is used to describe a person who is considered contemptible, worthless or of low moral character.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, escoria refers to the dross or scum that forms on the surface of molten metal.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈkoɾja/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone escoria is considered much heavier and more dehumanizing than the English 'dirtbag', which often carries a slightly playful or slangy tone.
- The Greek root of the word, skōría, originally related to the concept of 'refuse' or 'rubbish', long before it was applied to human character.
- Unlike English 'dirtbag', which can sometimes be used affectionately among climbers or rebels, escoria is almost never used as a term of endearment.
Examples in context
- El director de la empresa demostró ser una persona repugnante al tratar tan mal a sus empleados.The company's CEO turned out to be a dirtbag by treating his employees so poorly.
- No me hables, cabrón. No quiero tener nada que ver contigo.Don't talk to me, you dirtbag. I want nothing to do with you.
- Ese hombre es una escoria.That man is a dirtbag.
- No te juntes con esa escoria.Don't hang out with that dirtbag.
- Trató a todos como escoria.He treated everyone like dirtbags.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing a former coworker.
- Lucía¿Viste lo que hizo el jefe?Did you see what the boss did?
- JavierSí, es una auténtica escoria.Yes, he is a total dirtbag.
- LucíaNadie en la oficina lo respeta.No one in the office respects him.
- JavierEs lo que se merece.He gets what he deserves.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry escoria, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries escoria, CC BY-SA 4.0.
