burro
/BOO-rroh/
donkey
The primary meaning of burro is donkey, referring to this common pack animal.
📝 In Action
El burro llevaba una carga pesada por el camino de tierra.
A1The donkey was carrying a heavy load along the dirt road.
En la granja había caballos, cabras y un burro.
A1On the farm there were horses, goats, and a donkey.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Plural
Since 'burro' ends in -o, it is masculine. The female is 'burra.' To make it plural, just add -s: 'burros'.
Figuratively, burro is used as an insult meaning idiot or stupid person.
📝 In Action
¡Qué burro eres! ¿Cómo pudiste olvidar las llaves otra vez?
B1You idiot! How could you forget the keys again?
Ese examen era muy difícil, solo un burro lo suspendería.
B2That exam was very difficult, only a dummy would fail it.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Ser'
Use the verb 'ser' (to be) when calling someone this name: 'Eres un burro' (You are an idiot).
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone Matters
While generally a mild insult, context is key. It can be playful among friends or genuinely offensive if said with anger.
Less commonly, burro can refer to an ironing board.
📝 In Action
Guarda el burro en el armario después de planchar.
B1Put the ironing board away in the closet after ironing.
El burro de mi abuela es de madera antigua.
B2My grandmother's ironing board is made of old wood.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Regional Confusion
Mistake: "Using 'burro' for ironing board outside of Mexico/Central America."
Correction: In Spain or South America, use 'tabla de planchar' to avoid confusion with the animal or the insult.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: burro
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'burro' in the most common, literal sense?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'burro' a strong insult?
Generally, 'burro' is a mild insult, similar to calling someone a 'dummy' or 'blockhead' in English. It implies foolishness or lack of thought, but is usually not considered a severe curse word.
Is the word 'asno' the same as 'burro'?
Yes, 'asno' is another word for 'donkey.' 'Burro' is much more common in everyday conversation, while 'asno' is often used in more formal or literary contexts.