vagabundo
/baɡaˈbundo/masculine
The English phrase 'tramp' translates to the Spanish word vagabundo.
vagabundo is used to refer to a person without a permanent home, such as a tramp or a drifter.
Meaning: homeless person (noun)
Which one should you use?
While vagabundo refers to a person without a permanent home, mendigo specifically refers to a person who begs for money or food.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is vagabundo. The feminine version is vagabunda. For plural forms, use vagabundos for masculine or vagabundas for feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
/baɡaˈbundo/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, calling someone a vagabundo can be used as a harsh insult to imply they are 'lazy' or 'useless', rather than just someone without a home.
- The Spanish word vagabundo shares the same Latin root as the English word 'vague'. Both come from vagus, meaning 'wandering' or 'unfixed'.
- In certain historical contexts in Spain, being labeled a vagabundo could lead to legal sanctions or forced labor under old 'vagrancy laws'.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué te pidió ese vagabundo?What did that tramp ask you for?This sentence is useful for asking what a specific vagabundo requested.Tatoeba #5432930 by Seael, translation #5432917 by Seael
- En la ciudad, hay muchos mendigos que necesitan ayuda.In the city, there are many tramps who need help.
- Es triste ver a tantos vagabundos sin un lugar para quedarse.It's sad to see so many tramps without a place to stay.
- Debemos preocuparnos por los desamparados y brindarles apoyo.We should care about the tramps and provide them with support.
- No valía la pena contratarlo, es un vago que no hace nada.It wasn't worth hiring him, he's a tramp who doesn't do anything.
- El vagabundo vive en el parque.The tramp lives in the park.
- Vimos a un vagabundo cerca de la estación.We saw a tramp near the station.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are walking through a city park.
- LucíaMira, hay un vagabundo sentado allí.Look, there is a tramp sitting over there.
- DanielSí, parece que tiene frío.Yes, he looks cold.
- LucíaDeberíamos darle algo de comer.We should give him something to eat.
- DanielEs una buena idea, Lucía.That is a good idea, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tramp” translations and entries vagabundo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries vagabundo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
