la bruja
/la bɾuxa/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'the hag' is translated into Spanish as la bruja.
la bruja is used to mean 'the hag'.
Which one should you use?
While la bruja is the standard translation for 'the hag', it is also the most common word for 'the witch'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun bruja is feminine, so it must be preceded by the feminine article la to mean 'the hag'.
How do you pronounce it?
/la bɾuxa/
Did you know?
- The word bruja might share an ancient root with the name of the goddess Brigit, suggesting that the concept of a 'hag' or 'witch' was once linked to 'exalted' or 'high' status.
- In certain Latin American cultures, a bruja is specifically feared for the ability to cause 'mal de ojo' or 'evil eye', which is believed to cause illness through a glance.
- In some dialects, a 'bruja' is not just a magical being but a term for a person who is extremely skilled or 'magical' at a specific craft or job.
Examples in context
- La bruja del bosque.The hag of the forest.
- La bruja vive en el bosque.The hag lives in the forest.
- Dicen que la bruja es malvada.They say the hag is evil.
- No quiero ver a la bruja.I do not want to see the hag.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a local legend.
- Elena¿Tienes miedo de la bruja?Are you afraid of the hag?
- MateoSí, Elena, me da mucho miedo.Yes, Elena, I am very afraid.
- ElenaEs solo una leyenda, Mateo.It is only a legend, Mateo.
- MateoPero la historia de la bruja es terrorífica.But the story of the hag is terrifying.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bruja, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
