burro
“burro” means “donkey” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
donkey, ass
📝 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.
idiot, dummy
Also: blockhead
📝 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.
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.
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Quick Quiz: burro
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'burro' in the most common, literal sense?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'burro' comes from the Late Latin word *burricus*, which originally meant a small horse or pony. Over time, its meaning shifted specifically to refer to the donkey, likely because donkeys were often used as pack animals.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish (around the 13th century)
Cognates (Related words)
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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.