áspero
/ˈaspeɾo/
The English word 'rough' is translated into Spanish as áspero.
Áspero is used to describe a surface that is coarse or scratchy to the touch. It can also be used figuratively in the phrase Ser como lija, which means 'to be like sandpaper' and refers to someone with an abrasive personality. Additionally, the phrase Ponerse difícil can be used to describe a situation taking a rough or challenging turn, meaning 'to become difficult'.
Meaning: not smooth (adj)
Which one should you use?
While áspero describes a surface that is scratchy or coarse to the touch, rugoso is used for surfaces that are bumpy, textured or have a wrinkled appearance. If you are describing a person's behavior or a movement as 'rough' or abrupt, you should use brusco instead of áspero.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective áspero must agree with the noun it describes. Use áspera for feminine singular nouns, ásperos for masculine plural nouns and ásperas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaspeɾo/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word áspero comes from the Proto-Indo-European root for 'to cut'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word áspero can describe a flavor that is unpleasantly sharp or harsh, such as a very bitter or astringent drink, much like a 'rough' texture on the tongue.
- The Spanish word áspero is a proparoxytone, meaning the stress falls on the third-to-last syllable. This specific stress pattern is actually quite rare for words in Spanish, making its pronunciation a distinctive feature of the word.
Examples in context
- Este papel es áspero.This paper is rough.This sentence shows how to describe the texture of paper using áspero.Tatoeba #1058267 by Shishir, translation #59056 by CK
- El rostro de Tom se siente áspero porque debe afeitarse.Tom's face feels rough because he needs to shave.This sentence demonstrates using áspero to describe how a person's face feels.Tatoeba #1133054 by marcelostockle, translation #681966 by Source_VOA
- El papel de lija tiene una textura áspera.Sandpaper has a rough texture.
- Esa roca tiene una textura rugosa.That rock has a rough texture.
- ¡Cuidado, mi perro tiene la lengua ásperita!Careful, my dog has a rough tongue!
- Juan tiene un carácter como lija.Juan has a rough character.
- El examen se puso difícil en la última sección.The test got rough in the last section.
- El tronco de ese árbol es muy áspero.The trunk of that tree is very rough.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are looking at a piece of wood in a workshop.
- Lucía¿Por qué este material es tan áspero?Why is this material so rough?
- AlejandroEs porque no ha sido lijado todavía.It is because it hasn't been sanded yet.
- LucíaTienes razón, Alejandro.You are right, Alejandro.
- AlejandroLo lijaré para que quede suave.I will sand it so it becomes smooth.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rough” translations and entries áspero, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries áspero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
