What does it mean word for word?
In this phrase, tan functions as an intensifier meaning 'so'.
Which one should you use?
The form changes based on the gender of the speaker: use estoy tan aburrido for males and estoy tan aburrida for females. While estoy tan aburrido means 'I am so bored' (referring to your feeling), you should use es tan aburrido if you want to say 'it is so boring' (referring to a thing or situation).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the setting. For a more formal tone, you can say Me encuentro bastante aburrido/a, which means 'I find myself quite bored'. In casual conversation, Estoy aburrido/a de morir is an informal way to say 'I am bored to death' and Me muero de aburrimiento means 'I'm dying of boredom'. For a very emphatic, colloquial style, you can use Estoy recontraburrido/a.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the verb estar is used because boredom is a temporary state or feeling. If the speaker is female, the adjective must change from aburrido to aburrida.
How do you pronounce it?
/estoi tan aburido/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying soy tan aburrido. While it sounds similar to 'I am so bored', in Spanish this actually means 'I am a boring person'. Always use estoy to describe your current state of boredom.
Did you know?
- The colloquial intensifier re- in recontraburrido is common in Argentina and Uruguay to amplify an emotion far beyond the standard muy.
- While the phrase estoy más aburrido que una ostra mentions an oyster, the animal is chosen because it stays still and silent in its shell.
- The word tan comes from the Latin word 'tam', which is used to intensify the adjective that follows it.
Examples in context
- Estoy tan aburrido con esta película.I am so bored with this movie.
- No tengo nada que hacer y estoy tan aburrido.I have nothing to do and I am so bored.
- Ay, ¡estoy tan aburrido en este viaje!Oh, I am so bored on this trip!
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are sitting in a waiting room.
- SofíaAlejandro, estoy tan aburrida esperando aquí.Alejandro, I am so bored waiting here.
- AlejandroYo también, estoy tan aburrido.Me too, I am so bored.
- Sofía¿Quieres jugar un juego en el móvil?Do you want to play a game on your phone?
- AlejandroSí, es una buena idea.Yes, that is a good idea.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aburrido, tan, CC BY-SA 4.0.
