Pareces un burro
/paɾeθes un buro/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you look like a donkey" is translated into Spanish as Pareces un burro.
In many Spanish-speaking contexts, calling someone a burro is an idiom used to imply they are stupid or slow-witted rather than commenting on their physical appearance.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of pareces (you look like/seem), un (a) and burro (donkey).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb pareces is the second-person singular informal form of parecer (to seem/to look like). If the person being spoken to is female, the noun burro changes to the feminine form burra in the phrase Pareces una burra.
Did you know?
- The word burro is etymologically linked to the color of fire. It stems from the Latin burrus, meaning 'red-brown', which traces back to the Ancient Greek word for 'fire', pûr.
- The word burro is used in the name of the popular 'burrito' wrap, which literally translates to 'little donkey'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, burro is used as a slang term for something very large or heavy, rather than as an insult for intelligence.
Examples in context
- ¡Pareces un burro!You look like a donkey!
- Pareces un burro con ese disfraz.You look like a donkey in that costume.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are joking around while dressing up for a party.
- AlejandroLucía, con esa máscara, pareces un burro.Lucía, with that mask, you look like a donkey.
- Lucía¿En serio crees eso, Alejandro?Do you really think so, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, es muy gracioso.Yes, it is very funny.
- Lucía¡Pues te pareces más tú!Well, you look more like one!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries burro, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
