rudo
“rudo” means “rough” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
rough, crude
Also: uncouth, harsh
📝 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.
tough, rugged
Also: hard
📝 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.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: rudo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'rudo' to describe a physical quality rather than behavior?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
The word comes directly from the Latin word *rudis*, which meant 'unwrought,' 'unpolished,' or 'untrained.' This explains why 'rudo' covers both physical roughness and lack of social polish or skill.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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).