basura
/baˈsuɾa/
The English phrase "trash" is translated into Spanish as basura. Wiktionary also lists tlazole and clazol.
Meaning: things to be discarded (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| basura | /baˈsuɾa/ | |
| tlazole | /tlaθole/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /tlasole/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| clazol | /klaθol/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /klasol/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| tlazol | /tlaˈθol/ /tlaˈsol/ |
masculine |
The term is used to refer to things that are discarded. A common phrase is sacar la basura, which is the standard way to express the action of taking the trash out to the curb or bin. Related to this, the word basurero can refer to the trash can itself, the person who collects the trash or the landfill, depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun basura is feminine and is typically used with the definite article la, as in la basura. The form tlazol is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈsuɾa/
Did you know?
- In Mexico and some other regions, the word tlazol is used for trash, which is a loanword from the Classical Nahuatl language.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, if you call someone basura, you are not just calling them 'trash' but implying they are completely worthless or a 'scum'.
- The word basura actually shares a distant ancestry with the Latin verb verrō, which means 'to sweep'.
Examples in context
- No arrojes basura aquí.Don't throw trash here.The first sentence is useful for seeing how to use basura in a command.Tatoeba #1325852 by marcelostockle, translation #61822 by CK
- Ya he sacado la basura.I've already taken out the trash.The second sentence shows how to use basura when discussing a completed action.Tatoeba #10870808 by Shishir, translation #5915476 by CK
- Tom pateó el tacho de basura.Tom kicked the trash can.The third sentence demonstrates the use of basura when referring to a container.Tatoeba #4022705 by hayastan, translation #3791492 by Hybrid
- ¿Dónde puedo desechar esta bolsa de basura?Where can I dispose of this bag of trash?
- La planta de tratamiento de residuos está en las afueras de la ciudad.The waste treatment plant is located on the outskirts of the city.
- Por favor, no tires basura en la calle.Please, do not throw trash on the street.
- No compres cosas innecesarias, solo generas más desperdicio.Don't buy unnecessary things, you just generate more waste.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are cleaning their living room.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿puedes sacar la basura?Alejandro, can you take out the trash?
- AlejandroSí, Lucía, la saco ahora mismo.Yes, Lucía, I'll take it out right now.
- LucíaGracias, la bolsa está muy pesada.Thanks, the bag is very heavy.
- AlejandroNo hay problema, yo la llevo.No problem, I'll carry it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trash” translations and entries basura, tlazol, 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 basura, tlazol, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
