basurero
/basuˈɾeɾo/
The Spanish phrase for garbage man is basurero.
A basurero is a person whose job is to collect and empty trash from residential or commercial areas. Depending on the context and the region, note that basurero can also mean a garbage can or a trash bin.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from basura (garbage) and the suffix -ero (a person who deals with a specific thing).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While basurero is a common term, recolector de basura is a more formal or professional way to refer to the occupation. Similarly, operario de limpieza urbana (urban cleaning worker) serves as a formal term.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a woman, use the feminine form basurera. The plural form basureros is used for a group of men or a mixed-gender group.
How do you pronounce it?
/basuˈɾeɾo/
Did you know?
- While basurero describes the person, the word basura is sometimes used in idiomatic expressions to describe something of very poor quality or a person who is perceived as worthless.
- The word basura shares an ancient ancestor with the Latin verb verrō, which means 'to sweep'. This links the concept of garbage directly to the act of sweeping it away.
- In certain regions, the term basurero can refer not just to the worker or the bin, but specifically to the large dump or landfill site where the waste is taken.
Examples in context
- Tomás es un basurero.Tom is a garbage man.This sentence is useful for identifying someone's occupation using basurero.Tatoeba #5027939 by don_ramon, translation #11977019 by shekitten
- El recolector de basura pasa todos los lunes y jueves por nuestro vecindario.The garbage collector comes by our neighborhood every Monday and Thursday.
- El basurero llegará pronto a recoger la basura.The garbage man will arrive soon to collect the trash.
- Mi padre ha trabajado como recogedor de basura durante muchos años.My father has worked as a trash picker for many years.
- El basurero viene los lunes.The garbage man comes on Mondays.
- Mi tío trabaja como basurero.My uncle works as a garbage man.
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are looking out the window.
- ElenaMira, ya llegó el basurero.Look, the garbage man is already here.
- AlejandroQué bueno, saca ya la bolsa.That's good, take out the bag now.
- ElenaNo veo al basurero en la esquina.I don't see the garbage man on the corner.
- AlejandroEstá recogiendo la basura del vecino.He is collecting the neighbor's trash.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry basurero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries basurero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
