Eres un burro
/eɾes un buro/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you're a donkey" is translated into Spanish as Eres un burro.
This is an idiomatic expression. In Spanish, calling someone a burro is a common way to say they are stupid or slow to understand something.
Which one should you use?
While burro can mean a donkey, when used as an insult, it specifically targets intelligence rather than physical strength.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are speaking to a woman, you must change the masculine un burro to the feminine una burra.
Did you know?
- The word burro is surprisingly linked to the concept of fire. Etymologically, it stems from a root meaning 'flame colored' or 'red-brown', referring to the animal's coat.
- In some contexts, burro can be used to describe someone who is incredibly strong or works very hard, similar to the English 'workhorse'.
- While calling someone a burro usually means they are unintelligent, it can also describe someone who is stubborn or headstrong.
Examples in context
- ¡Deja de hacer caras tontas, eres un burro!Stop making silly faces, you're such a donkey!
- Eres un burro si crees eso.You're a donkey if you believe that.
- No estudias nada, eres un burro.You don't study at all, you're a donkey.
- ¡Eres un burro por olvidar la cita!You're a donkey for forgetting the appointment!
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are arguing about a simple mistake.
- MateoMe equivoqué de camino otra vez.I took the wrong way again.
- Sofía¡Eres un burro, Mateo!You're a donkey, Mateo!
- MateoNo seas tan dura conmigo.Don't be so hard on me.
- SofíaMira el mapa la próxima vez.Look at the map next time.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries burro, eres, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
