Qué grosero
/ke ɡɾoseɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "how rude" is expressed in Spanish as Qué grosero.
Qué grosero is an exclamation used to express shock or disapproval when someone behaves in an impolite way.
Which one should you use?
While Qué grosero implies a lack of manners or being blunt/crude, Qué maleducado specifically emphasizes a lack of upbringing or social etiquette.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Qué grosero is commonly used in Mexico and some parts of Latin America. In Mexico and some Latin American countries, you may also hear ¡Qué patán!, which roughly translates to "What a jerk!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes depending on who you are referring to: use Qué grosera if you are referring to a woman or a feminine noun, and use Qué groseros if you are addressing or referring to a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
/ke ɡɾoseɾo/
Did you know?
- While Qué grosero is common in the Americas, speakers in Spain might more frequently use Qué borde to describe someone being rude or curt.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying Qué maleducado is actually a much heavier insult than Qué grosero because it attacks a person's family and upbringing.
- The word grosero shares a root with the English word 'gross'. Both originate from the Latin grossus, which described things that were thick or coarse.
Examples in context
- ¡Qué grosero!How rude of you!This example is useful for practicing the exclamation Qué grosero.Tatoeba #1386384 by marcelostockle, translation #16444 by CK
- ¡Qué falta de respeto! Me encontraba antes en la cola.How rude! I was here before in line.
- ¡Qué mala onda! No deberías hablar así de las personas.That's so rude! You shouldn't speak about people like that.
- ¡Qué grosero es ese hombre!How rude that man is!
- No me contestó la llamada, ¡qué grosero!He didn't answer my call, how rude!
Example conversation
Mateo is being very impolite to a waiter at a cafe.
- Lucía¡Qué grosero eres, Mateo!How rude you are, Mateo!
- MateoLo siento, Lucía, no quería ser maleducado.I'm sorry, Lucía, I didn't want to be impolite.
- LucíaDe todas formas, fue una actitud muy mala.Regardless, it was a very bad attitude.
- MateoTienes razón, voy a pedir disculpas.You are right, I am going to apologize.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries grosero, qué, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
