Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| garabatear | /ɡaɾabateˈaɾ/ |
| borrajear | /boraxeˈaɾ/ |
| borronear | /boroneˈaɾ/ |
| garrapatear | /ɡarapateˈaɾ/ |
| escarabajear | /eskaɾabaxeaɾ/ (from spelling rules) |
The verb forms in this list describe the action of writing or drawing carelessly and in a hurry. If you want to refer to the actual scribble or doodle itself, use the noun garabato. To describe the specific act or process of scribbling, use the noun garabateo.
Which one should you use?
The term garabatear is the most common and neutral way to say to scribble or doodle. It is used for everything from a child's drawings to mindless sketching. In contrast, garrapatear has a negative connotation, specifically implying that the writing is so messy or hurried that it is difficult to read. Other forms provided include borrajear, borronear and escarabajear.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, the word tachar might be used instead of rayar to refer to scribbling or crossing out writing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Garabatear is a regular -ar verb, which means it follows standard conjugation patterns for the present and past tenses.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡaɾabateˈaɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb escarabajear suggests that your writing is so messy it looks like the random paths of an escarabajo or 'beetle' crawling across the page.
- The verb garrapatear describes messy writing, but it shares a root with the word garrapato, which means 'tick' (the blood-sucking insect).
- The verb borronear focuses on the ink itself, describing the result as a borrón or 'blot'.
Examples in context
- Me gusta garabatear mientras hablo por teléfono.I like to scribble while I talk on the phone.
- No dejes de garabatear en mi cuaderno.Don't scribble in my notebook.
- El niño empezó a garabatear en la pared.The child started to scribble on the wall.
- Ella suele garabatear ideas mientras habla por teléfono.She tends to scribble ideas while talking on the phone.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are in a cafe during a meeting.
- Lucía¿Qué estás haciendo, Javier?What are you doing, Javier?
- JavierSolo voy a garabatear algo en esta servilleta.I'm just going to scribble something on this napkin.
- LucíaNo lo hagas, es muy pequeña.Don't do it, it is very small.
- JavierEstá bien, buscaré un papel de verdad.Okay, I will look for real paper.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scribble” translations and entries garabatear, borrajear, borronear, garrapatear, escarabajear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries borrajear, borronear, garabatear, garrapatear, CC BY-SA 4.0.
