vieja bruja
/bjexa bɾuxa/from spelling rules
The English phrase "old hag" is translated into Spanish as vieja bruja.
vieja bruja is an insulting term used to describe an elderly woman, typically implying that she is unpleasant or ugly.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of vieja, meaning old woman and bruja, meaning witch.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
vieja bruja is an informal and derogatory expression. It is used in heated or informal speech to insult someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is feminine. When referring to a single person, it requires the feminine indefinite article una to form una vieja bruja. To make the phrase plural, both the adjective and the noun must take the plural suffix -as, resulting in viejas brujas.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American cultures, calling a woman vieja can be a term of endearment between partners, making the addition of bruja a drastic shift in tone.
- The term bruja is etymologically linked to the name of the goddess Brigit, suggesting the word for 'witch' may have once been a title of high status.
- While bruja means 'witch' in the phrase vieja bruja, in some Spanish-speaking regions it is used colloquially to describe someone who is very clever or cunning, regardless of age.
Examples in context
- Una vieja bruja de 50 años me hizo proposiciones lujuriosas, ella quería besarme.An old hag of 50 years made me lustful propositions, she wanted to kiss me.This sentence shows how to use vieja bruja when describing someone's behavior.Tatoeba #5978567 by albrusgher, translation #1784100 by Scott
- Esa vieja bruja siempre me mira mal.That old hag is always looking at me badly.
- No quiero hablar con esa vieja bruja.I don't want to talk to that old hag.
Example conversation
Daniel is complaining to Lucía about a neighbor.
- DanielLa vecina me regañó otra vez.The neighbor scolded me again.
- Lucía¿Qué pasó ahora, Daniel?What happened now, Daniel?
- DanielEsa vieja bruja es insoportable.That old hag is unbearable.
- LucíaNo deberías hablar así de ella.You shouldn't talk about her like that.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bruja, vieja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
