burlar
“burlar” means “to evade” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to evade, to outwit
Also: to dodge, to bypass
📝 In Action
El ladrón logró burlar la seguridad del museo.
B1The thief managed to evade the museum's security.
Intentó burlar el control de velocidad en la carretera.
B2He tried to bypass the speed control on the highway.
Burlar el destino no es tan fácil como parece.
C1Outwitting destiny is not as easy as it seems.
to mock, to make fun of
Also: to laugh at, to tease
📝 In Action
No es bueno burlarse de los demás.
A2It's not good to make fun of others.
Ellos se burlaron de mi acento.
B1They mocked my accent.
Se burla de todo lo que digo.
A2He makes fun of everything I say.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: burlar
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'They made fun of me'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Likely derived from the Late Latin 'burla', which meant a joke, trick, or a small tuft of wool (something of no value).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'burlar' a regular verb?
Yes, it follows the standard pattern for verbs ending in -ar in all tenses.
What is the difference between 'burlar' and 'burlarse'?
Use 'burlar' to mean 'to evade' or 'to outwit' (like dodging a guard). Use 'burlarse' (the reflexive form) to mean 'to make fun of someone'.
Does 'burlarse' always need the word 'de'?
Yes, if you mention the person or thing you are laughing at, you must use 'de' (e.g., 'se burlan de la situación').