bufanda
/buˈfanda/feminine
The Spanish word for scarf is bufanda. Wiktionary also lists chalina.
Meaning: long garment worn around the neck (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bufanda | /buˈfanda/ | feminine |
| chalina | /t͡ʃaˈlina/ | feminine |
The term refers to a long garment worn around the neck.
Which one should you use?
bufanda is the standard word for a long, knitted or woven scarf used for warmth. In contrast, chalina is often used in certain Latin American regions to refer to a lighter, often more decorative or thinner scarf or shawl.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of bufanda is bufandas. Both bufanda and chalina are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/buˈfanda/
Did you know?
- The word bufanda shares an ancient root with the English word 'puff'. It likely comes from the Old French 'bouffante', meaning something that puffs up.
- In Spain, the word bufanda is often used by sports fans to describe the long team banners worn around the neck during football matches.
- In some regions, using the word pañuelo instead of bufanda might actually change your meaning from a winter scarf to a small handkerchief.
Examples in context
- Me gusta tu bufanda.I like your scarf.This sentence is useful for expressing liking someone's bufanda.Tatoeba #2005632 by Shishir, translation #1887540 by CK
- Me encanta esa bufanda.I love that scarf.This sentence is useful for expressing love for a specific bufanda.Tatoeba #7967694 by Seael, translation #1887552 by CK
- Puede dormir con la bufanda.You can sleep with the scarf.This sentence is useful for saying someone can sleep with a bufanda.Tatoeba #6795899 by arh, translation #13602982 by sfgdh
- Me compré una bufanda nuevaI bought a new scarf
- Mi abuelita me regaló un pañuelo hermosoMy grandmother gave me a beautiful scarf
- Lucía llevaba un chal negro para la ceremoniaLucía wore a black scarf for the ceremony
- María llevaba una pañoleta a juego con su atuendoMaría was wearing a matching scarf with her outfit
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are getting ready to go outside in winter.
- MaríaAlejandro, ¿tienes tu bufanda?Alejandro, do you have your scarf?
- AlejandroNo, no encuentro mi bufanda.No, I can't find my scarf.
- MaríaEstá sobre la mesa, Alejandro.It is on the table, Alejandro.
- AlejandroGracias, María. Ya la tengo.Thanks, María. I have it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scarf” translations and entries bufanda, chalina, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bufanda, chalina, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
