dijiste una palabrota
/dixiste una palabɾota/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you said a bad word" is translated into Spanish as dijiste una palabrota.
This phrase is used to tell someone, frequently a child, that they have used offensive or inappropriate language. It is typically used in a corrective or scolding manner, often by parents or teachers.
What does it mean word for word?
The word palabrota is a combination of palabra (word) and the augmentative suffix -ota, which literally means a "big" or "heavy" word.
Which one should you use?
has dicho una palabrota is more common in Spain. In many Latin American countries, dijiste una mala palabra is a common alternative.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb dijiste is the second-person singular preterite (past tense) form of the verb decir (to say).
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, if a child says a 'palabrota', a parent might suggest they 'wash their mouth' with soap as a physical deterrent.
- The word dijiste comes from the Latin verb dīcō, which is the same root used in the English word 'diction'.
- The suffix -ota in palabrota is an augmentative that can change a word's meaning from 'large' to 'extreme' or 'negative' depending on the context.
Examples in context
- Viejo, no podés decir esa palabra. Es demasiado grosera.Dude, you can't say that word. It's too rude.
- Dijiste una palabrota frente a tus abuelos.You said a bad word in front of your grandparents.
- ¿Por qué dijiste una palabrota en la escuela?Why did you say a bad word at school?
Example conversation
A mother is correcting her son after he spoke rudely.
- SofíaDaniel, dijiste una palabrota.Daniel, you said a bad word.
- DanielLo siento, mamá.I am sorry, mom.
- SofíaNo debes hablar así.You shouldn't talk like that.
- DanielNo lo volveré a hacer.I won't do it again.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dijiste, palabrota, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
