porquería
/por-keh-REE-ah/
filth
Visualizing porquería as physical filth or grime.
porquería(noun)
filth
?physical dirt, grime
,mess
?a state of disorder
grime
?heavy dirt
,muck
?wet dirt
📝 In Action
Limpia la cocina, ¡hay una porquería tremenda!
B1Clean the kitchen, there is a tremendous mess!
No toques eso, está lleno de porquería.
B2Don't touch that, it's full of filth.
💡 Grammar Points
Use with Articles
Even though it often refers to general dirt, you almost always use the article 'la' or 'una' with 'porquería' because it is a feminine noun.
⭐ Usage Tips
Emotional Intensity
Using 'porquería' often implies disgust or frustration, making it stronger than simply saying 'suciedad' (dirtiness).
Visualizing porquería as junk or something worthless.
porquería(noun)
junk
?something worthless or useless
,rubbish
?low quality item
garbage
?bad quality product
,trash
?worthless stuff
📝 In Action
No compres ese teléfono, es una porquería.
B2Don't buy that phone, it's a piece of junk.
Perdí mi tiempo viendo esa porquería de película.
C1I wasted my time watching that garbage movie.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Quality
You can use the structure 'una porquería de [noun]' to emphasize that the noun is terrible quality, like saying 'a piece of junk of a car'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Strong Opinion
Using 'porquería' in this sense shows a very strong, negative opinion about the quality of something—it's much stronger than just saying 'malo' (bad).
Visualizing porquería as a disgrace or shameful situation.
porquería(noun)
disgrace
?shameful situation or action
,nastiness
?moral depravity or unpleasant behavior
sleaze
?corrupt behavior
,despicable thing
?a terrible act
📝 In Action
El trato que recibió fue una porquería.
C1The treatment he received was despicable/a disgrace.
No puedo creer que hicieran esa porquería.
C1I can't believe they did that nasty thing.
💡 Grammar Points
Expressing Indignation
This meaning is often used in exclamations or when describing something that causes strong moral outrage or disappointment.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: porquería
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'porquería' to mean 'low quality product'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'porquería' a vulgar word?
It is informal and strong, but generally not considered a severe curse word like some others. It expresses strong disgust or disappointment, similar to saying 'filth,' 'junk,' or 'disgrace' in English.
How is 'porquería' different from 'basura'?
'Basura' strictly means 'trash' or 'garbage' (waste materials). 'Porquería' is broader; it can mean physical dirt, extremely low quality, or a despicable action. While they overlap, 'porquería' carries a stronger sense of disgust.