rudo
/ROO-doh/
rough
This rough stone illustrates the texture aspect of 'rudo'.
rudo(Adjective)
rough
?manners, texture, or appearance
,crude
?behavior or speech
uncouth
?lacking social grace
,harsh
?tone or treatment
📝 In Action
Su lenguaje era muy rudo y ofendió a varios invitados.
B1His language was very crude and offended several guests.
La tela de la chaqueta se siente ruda y pica.
B1The jacket fabric feels rough and itchy.
El trato que recibió fue rudo e injusto.
B2The treatment he received was harsh and unfair.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement
Since 'rudo' is an adjective, it must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'ruda' (feminine singular), 'rudos' (masculine plural), 'rudas' (feminine plural).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Rudo vs. Grosero
Mistake: "Using 'rudo' when you strictly mean 'impolite' or 'disrespectful' in a social setting."
Correction: While 'rudo' works, 'grosero' is often the better choice for describing someone who is simply rude or ill-mannered in a social context. 'Rudo' often implies a lack of refinement or physical roughness.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Things
Use 'rudo' to describe things that are physically rough, like unpaved roads, natural stone, or unrefined materials.
Being physically tough or resilient, like this character carrying a heavy log, is another meaning of 'rudo'.
rudo(Adjective)
tough
?referring to a person's physical strength or resilience
,rugged
?referring to a challenge or environment
hard
?difficult or demanding
📝 In Action
El boxeador es conocido por su estilo rudo y agresivo.
B2The boxer is known for his tough and aggressive style.
Fue un camino rudo, pero finalmente llegamos a la cima.
B2It was a rugged path, but we finally reached the top.
Mi abuelo era un hombre rudo de campo, acostumbrado al trabajo pesado.
C1My grandfather was a tough country man, accustomed to heavy labor.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Difficulty
When describing a task or situation, 'rudo' means that it is very difficult or physically demanding, similar to 'duro'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Sports Context
In Latin America, 'rudo' is often used specifically to describe a wrestler (luchador) who plays the role of the 'bad guy' or the aggressive, mean competitor.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: rudo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'rudo' to describe a physical quality rather than behavior?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'rudo' the same as the English word 'rude'?
Not exactly. While 'rudo' can mean 'crude' or 'uncouth' (like English 'rude'), it is much broader. It often describes physical roughness, toughness, or a lack of skill. If you want to say someone is simply impolite, 'grosero' is often a more precise Spanish word.
How do I make 'rudo' plural or feminine?
'Rudo' is an adjective, so it must match the noun. For feminine nouns, use 'ruda' (singular) or 'rudas' (plural). For masculine nouns, use 'rudo' (singular) or 'rudos' (plural).