Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| sucio | /ˈsuθjo/ /ˈsusjo/ |
| chuco | /ˈt͡ʃuko/ |
The adjective is used to describe something that is covered with or contains dirt. Related terms include the adverb obscenamente for acting in a dirty manner, and the verbs ensuciarse and shuquearse to describe the act of becoming soiled.
Which one should you use?
While sucio is the standard term, you may encounter other words depending on the context. For example, impuro/a is used for things that are impure or unclean and inmundo/a is a formal term used to emphasize moral or ethical dirtiness.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, such as parts of Mexico, the colloquial term chuco is used to say dirty.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes to match the gender and number of the noun it describes: sucio is masculine singular, sucia is feminine singular, sucios is masculine plural and sucias is feminine plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsuθjo/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- El niño está sucio.The child is dirty.This sentence shows how to describe a child as being dirty using sucio.Tatoeba #536422 by Leono, translation #68340 by CK
- Mi sostén está sucio.My bra is dirty.This sentence demonstrates the use of sucio with a feminine noun to describe a bra.Tatoeba #4999441 by don_ramon, translation #4965687 by ieflicca
- Tus pies están sucios.Your feet are dirty.This sentence shows the masculine plural form sucios used with feet.Tatoeba #979980 by Shishir, translation #274464 by CK
- La habitación está suciaThe room is dirty
- Tienes las manos suciasYou have dirty hands
- El acto fue impuroThe act was dirty/unclean
- Ese negocio es chuecoThat business is dirty
- Es un político chuecoHe/she is a dirty politician
- No te acerques, estás muy mugrosaDon't come close, you are very dirty
- Eres un guarro/aYou are dirty
- ¡Qué sitio más guarro!What a dirty place!
- 75 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are in the kitchen looking at a glass.
- Elena¿Por qué está sucio este vaso?Why is this glass dirty?
- MateoNo sé, Elena. Está muy sucio.I don't know, Elena. It is very dirty.
- ElenaMateo, por favor lávalo.Mateo, please wash it.
- MateoEstá bien, lo lavaré ahora.Okay, I will wash it now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dirty” translations and entries sucio, chuco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chuco, sucio, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
