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burguesía

boor-geh-SEE-ahbuɾɣeˈsi.a

“burguesía” means “bourgeoisie” in Spanish (referring to the social class).

bourgeoisie

Also: middle class, the elite
NounfB2
A well-dressed man in a suit and top hat standing in front of a grand city building.

📝 In Action

La burguesía surgió como una clase poderosa durante la Revolución Industrial.

B2

The bourgeoisie emerged as a powerful class during the Industrial Revolution.

Muchos artistas de esa época criticaban los valores de la burguesía.

C1

Many artists of that era criticized middle-class values.

Ella pertenece a la alta burguesía de la ciudad.

B2

She belongs to the city's high society/upper middle class.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • clase media (middle class)
  • élite (elite)

Antonyms

  • proletariado (proletariat/working class)
  • clase obrera (working class)

Common Collocations

  • alta burguesía – upper middle class / wealthy elite
  • pequeña burguesía – lower middle class
  • valores de la burguesía – middle-class values

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "burguesía" in Spanish:

bourgeoisie→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: burguesía

Question 1 of 3

If you want to say 'The bourgeoisie is rich,' how should you start the sentence?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
burgués(bourgeois / middle-class person) — Noun / Adjective
aburguesarse(to become middle-class or conventional) — Verb
aburguesamiento(the process of becoming middle-class) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
guíadíavalía
📚 Etymology▼

From the word 'burgo', which meant a fortified town or city. The 'burguesía' were the people who lived in these cities and made money through trade rather than owning farmland.

First recorded: 18th century (in its modern sense)

Cognates (Related words)

French: bourgeoisieEnglish: bourgeoisie

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'burguesía' the same as 'clase media'?

Mostly, yes. However, 'clase media' is the modern, everyday term, while 'burguesía' is often used when talking about history, sociology, or politics.

Can I use 'burguesía' to describe a single person?

No. Use 'burgués' (for a man) or 'burguesa' (for a woman) for individuals. 'Burguesía' refers to the whole group.

Does it have a negative meaning?

It can. While it is a technical term in history, it is sometimes used to criticize people for being too focused on material wealth or status.