grosero
/groh-SEH-roh/
rude
Grosero can describe behavior or speech that is rude or impolite.
📝 In Action
Fue muy grosero al no saludar a la dueña de casa.
B1He was very rude for not greeting the hostess.
No uses lenguaje grosero delante de los niños.
B2Don't use vulgar language in front of the children.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
As an adjective, 'grosero' must match the person or thing it describes. Use 'grosero' for masculine (el hombre grosero) and 'grosera' for feminine (la mujer grosera).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Estar' instead of 'Ser'
Mistake: "Él está grosero."
Correction: Él es grosero. (Rudeness is usually considered a characteristic or personality trait, so we use 'ser'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
The Noun Form
You can use this word as a noun (el grosero/la grosera) to mean 'the rude person' directly, without needing another word like 'persona'.
When referring to texture or quality, grosero translates to coarse.
📝 In Action
El pintor usó un pincel de cerdas muy groseras.
B2The painter used a brush with very coarse bristles.
Necesitamos sal grosera para sazonar la carne.
C1We need coarse salt to season the meat.
💡 Grammar Points
Physical Description
In this sense, 'grosero' describes the physical quality or texture of an object, like sand, fabric, or salt.
Grosero, when used as a noun, refers to a rude person.
📝 In Action
El grosero me empujó sin pedir disculpas.
B1The rude person pushed me without apologizing.
No quiero invitar a esos groseros a mi fiesta.
B2I don't want to invite those rude people (louts) to my party.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Change
To refer to a rude woman, change the ending and the article: 'el grosero' (the rude man) becomes 'la grosera' (the rude woman).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: grosero
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'grosero' to describe a physical quality rather than bad behavior?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'grosero' and 'maleducado'?
Both mean 'rude' or 'badly behaved.' 'Maleducado' literally means 'badly educated' or 'lacking manners' and often implies a lack of proper upbringing. 'Grosero' is broader and can refer to either a lack of manners or using vulgar, offensive language.