borrador
/boraˈdoɾ/
The English phrase rough draft is translated into Spanish as borrador.
The term borrador is used for any preliminary version of a text, such as an essay, a speech or a legal document. You can use it to refer to un borrador (a rough draft).
What does it mean word for word?
The word borrador literally means eraser (derived from the verb borrar, to erase), which reflects the idea of a document that is meant to be changed or erased.
Which one should you use?
While borrador is the standard term, you can use primer borrador to specifically mean a first draft. If you are referring to a sketch or an outline, you may use bosquejo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of borrador is borradores.
How do you pronounce it?
/boraˈdoɾ/
Did you know?
- Because it is derived from the verb borrar, meaning 'to erase', the word borrador is also the standard Spanish word for a physical eraser used in schools.
- In Spanish, borrar is used for both the physical act of erasing a pencil mark and the digital act of deleting a computer file.
- The suffix '-dor' in borrador is a common way in Spanish to turn an action into a noun that describes the person or tool performing that action.
Examples in context
- Aquí está el borrador del manuscrito, pero los errores aún tienen que ser corregidos.Here is the rough draft of the manuscript, but the errors still have to be corrected.This sentence is useful for showing how to describe a manuscript that still requires corrections using borrador.Tatoeba #6463852 by carlosalberto, translation #3258509 by sundown
- Tengo una primera versión del proyecto aquíI have a rough draft of the project here
- Recuerden que esto es solo un borrador inicial y aún pueden hacer ajustesRemember, this is just an initial rough draft, and you can still make adjustments
- Escribí un borrador para el ensayo de la clase.I wrote a rough draft for the class essay.
- Tengo que revisar este borrador antes de la reunión.I have to review this rough draft before the meeting.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing an essay in the library.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿ya terminaste tu borrador?Alejandro, did you finish your rough draft yet?
- AlejandroTodavía no, María. Me falta la conclusión.Not yet, María. I'm missing the conclusion.
- MaríaSi quieres, puedo leer el borrador hoy.If you want, I can read the rough draft today.
- Alejandro¡Gracias! Te lo envío por correo ahora.Thanks! I'll email it to you now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry borrador, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries borrador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
