bordado
/boɾˈdado/masculine
The Spanish word for 'embroidery' is bordado.
bordado refers to the art of embroidery. It can be used as a noun to describe the art itself or as an adjective to describe something that has been embroidered.
Meaning: art (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bordado is the standard term, you may encounter bordadito, which is a diminutive form used to refer to small pieces of embroidery or to express affection regarding embroidery work. For more formal contexts involving specific tasks or work, the phrase labores de bordado is used to mean 'embroidery work' or 'embroidery tasks'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun bordado is derived from the verb bordar, which means 'to embroider'. The word bordado functions as both a noun (embroidery) and an adjective (embroidered).
How do you pronounce it?
/boɾˈdado/
Did you know?
- In traditional Mexican bordado, specific patterns and colors act as a linguistic code to communicate the wearer's village or marital status.
- While bordado means embroidery, the phrase bordar la noticia means to embellish a story by adding fictional or exaggerated details.
- In some Spanish dialects, the verb bordar is used colloquially to mean 'to nail it' or to perform any task flawlessly.
Examples in context
- A menudo, un traje viejo bien bordado, es más bonito que uno nuevo sin bordar.Often, a well-embroidered old suit is prettier than a new one without embroidery.This sentence shows how to use the adjective form of bordado to compare an old suit with a new one.Tatoeba #10359777 by saverius, translation #10817059 by Luornu
- Admiro mucho el arte del bordado.I greatly admire the art of embroidery.
- Se especializa en labores de bordado a mano.She specializes in hand embroidery work.
- ¡Qué bonito bordadito hiciste en esa blusa!What a lovely little embroidery you did on that blouse!
- Voy a dedicar mi tarde a hacer labores de costura. Quiero bordar una funda de almohada.I'm going to spend my afternoon working on sewing tasks. I want to embroider a pillowcase.
- Mi abuela me enseñó a bordar a mano desde muy pequeña.My grandmother taught me to embroider by hand from a very young age.
- El bordado de esta manta es increíble.The embroidery on this blanket is incredible.
- Ella estudia el arte del bordado.She studies the art of embroidery.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are at an art gallery.
- ElenaMira este bordado tan detallado.Look at this very detailed embroidery.
- JavierEs impresionante, Elena.It is impressive, Elena.
- Elena¿Crees que es difícil aprender?Do you think it is difficult to learn?
- JavierSeguro que sí, pero es hermoso.Surely, but it is beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “embroidery” translations and entries bordado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
