ruido
/ˈrwido/masculine
The English word "noise" is translated into Spanish as ruido. Wiktionary also lists estrépito and barullo.
Meaning: various sounds, usually unwanted (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ruido | /ˈrwido/ | masculine |
| estrépito | /esˈtɾepito/ | masculine |
| barullo | /baˈɾuʝo/ | masculine |
Ruido is the general term for various sounds that are usually unwanted. If you want to say "to make noise", you can use the phrase hacer ruido by combining the verb hacer with ruido.
Which one should you use?
While ruido is the standard word for noise, estrépito refers specifically to a loud, crashing or tumultuous noise. Barullo is used to describe a noise characterized by a confused, noisy crowd or a chaotic commotion rather than just a single sound.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Colombia and parts of Mexico, the word bulla is commonly used to describe noise that is particularly loud and chaotic.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ruido is a masculine noun. Its plural form is ruidos.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈrwido/
Did you know?
- While ruido means 'noise' today, it is a doublet of the Spanish word rugido, which means 'roar'. They both evolved from the same Latin root rugītus.
- In some contexts, hacer ruido can be used figuratively to describe something that is causing a stir or attracting public attention, similar to the English phrase 'making waves'.
Examples in context
- Tom oyó un ruido.Tom heard a noise.This sentence shows how to use ruido to describe hearing a sound.Tatoeba #1411192 by marcelostockle, translation #1177586 by CK
- El ruido me jode.The noise bothers me.This sentence uses ruido to express that a sound is bothersome.Tatoeba #2992006 by hayastan, translation #274322 by CK
- ¿Qué era ese ruido?What was that noise?This sentence uses ruido to ask about the source of a sound.Tatoeba #477152 by Shishir, translation #68556 by CK
- Si hay demasiado ruido, se vuelve difícil concentrarse.If there's too much noise, it becomes difficult to concentrate.
- Los suaves gemidos del cachorro eran un ruidito muy lindo.The puppy's soft whimpers were such a sweet little noise.
- Este barrio siempre está lleno de ruidos.This neighborhood is always full of noise.
- 236 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are in their apartment trying to study.
- Alejandro¿Puedes oír ese ruido constante?Can you hear that constant noise?
- ElenaSí, Alejandro, es muy molesto.Yes, Alejandro, it is very annoying.
- AlejandroVoy a cerrar la ventana para que no haya tanto ruido.I am going to close the window so there isn't so much noise.
- ElenaGracias, eso ayudará mucho.Thanks, that will help a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “noise” translations and entries ruido, estrépito, barullo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries barullo, estrépito, ruido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
