What does it mean word for word?
The word aburrido is a participle that can mean both "boring" and "bored" depending on the context and the verb used in the sentence.
Which one should you use?
To distinguish between a feeling and a personality trait, the verb used is essential: use está tan aburrido to say someone is "so bored" (the feeling), but use es tan aburrido to say someone is "so boring" (a personality trait).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, the slang expression un embole is used to describe something boring.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase must change its ending to match the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use tan aburrido for masculine singular nouns, tan aburrida for feminine singular nouns, tan aburridos for masculine or mixed plural groups and tan aburridas for feminine plural groups.
Did you know?
- In colloquial Spanish, calling someone un tostón is a common way to say they are 'so boring' or a 'bore', comparing them to a heavy, dry piece of toasted bread.
- The Argentinian slang un embole for something boring is related to the word embolar, which historically referred to the act of stuffing or packing something tightly.
- While tan aburrido is a common way to say 'so boring', some regions use the word pesado (heavy) to describe a person who is tedious or annoying.
Examples in context
- Esto es tan aburrido.This is so boring.This sentence uses tan aburrido to describe a thing.Tatoeba #1957021 by marcelostockle, translation #716496 by CM
- Ustedes son tan aburridos.You guys are so boring.This sentence uses tan aburrido to describe a group of people.Tatoeba #4951057 by DarkHollow, translation #2713514 by CK
- Fue tan aburrido, que me quedé dormido.It was so boring that I fell asleep.This sentence uses tan aburrido to describe an event or situation.Tatoeba #1562281 by marcelostockle, translation #2573709 by MethodGT
- La conferencia fue sumamente aburridaThe conference was extremely boring
- La película fue terriblemente aburridaThe movie was terribly boring
- El trabajo resultó excesivamente monótonoThe job turned out to be excessively monotonous
- ¡La fiesta fue un rollo total!The party was a total drag!
- La reunión fue aburridísimaThe meeting was extremely boring
- ¡Qué película más pesada!What a boring movie!
- Ir de compras siempre es una lataGoing shopping is always dull
- ¡La obra de teatro fue un embole total!The play was a total bore!
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are watching a slow movie together.
- AlejandroEste libro es tan aburrido.This book is so boring.
- ElenaTienes razón, no pasa nada.You are right, nothing is happening.
- Alejandro¿Quieres cambiar de canal, Elena?Do you want to change the channel, Elena?
- ElenaSí, busquemos algo más divertido.Yes, let's look for something more fun.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
