bruja
/brú-ja/
witch
Bruja, meaning 'witch,' often appears in mythology and fairy tales.
📝 In Action
En el cuento, la bruja convirtió al príncipe en rana.
A2In the story, the witch turned the prince into a frog.
La tienda vendía escobas y sombreros de bruja para la fiesta.
A1The store sold brooms and witch hats for the party.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Pair
Since 'bruja' ends in -a, it is feminine. The masculine counterpart for a male sorcerer or wizard is 'brujo'.
When used colloquially, bruja can refer to a 'nasty woman' who is mean or aggressive.
bruja(noun)
nasty woman
?mean, aggressive woman
,hag
?old, unpleasant woman
bitch
?strong, informal insult
📝 In Action
Mi vecina es una bruja, siempre se queja del ruido.
B2My neighbor is a nasty woman; she always complains about the noise.
Trató a los camareros como si fuera una bruja.
B2She treated the waiters as if she were a hag.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Register Warning
Mistake: "Using 'bruja' casually with strangers to mean 'nasty woman.'"
Correction: This usage is highly offensive and rude in formal settings or toward acquaintances. Reserve it only for close friends or when describing someone you genuinely dislike in a private, informal setting.
Bruja can also be a compliment, meaning a 'sharp cookie' or a very clever woman.
📝 In Action
Ella es una bruja de la tecnología; arregló mi computadora en cinco minutos.
C1She is a tech whiz; she fixed my computer in five minutes.
Adivinaste lo que iba a pedir, ¡eres una bruja!
B2You guessed what I was going to order, you're a sharp cookie!
💡 Grammar Points
Positive Context
When used positively, 'bruja' implies the person is so talented or perceptive that their skills seem magical, but it is a compliment based on their intelligence or ability.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: bruja
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'bruja' is used when describing a highly intelligent person?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'bruja' always an insult?
No. While its main figurative use is a strong insult (meaning 'nasty woman'), it can also be used informally and positively to mean 'whiz' or 'sharp cookie'—someone whose talent is almost magical. Context is everything!
What is the word for a male witch?
The male equivalent is 'brujo'. The word follows the standard Spanish pattern for gendered nouns ending in -o/-a.