Inklingo

How to Say "bore" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “bore” is “calibre” — use this word to refer to the internal diameter of a tube, such as a gun barrel or a pipe.

calibre🔊B1

Use this word to refer to the internal diameter of a tube, such as a gun barrel or a pipe.

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rollo🔊B2

Use 'rollo' to describe a tedious or boring event, activity, or situation that is dull and uninteresting.

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plomo🔊B2

Choose 'plomo' when referring to a person who is very dull, tiresome, or a wet blanket, often due to excessive talking.

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ladrillo🔊B2

Use 'ladrillo' metaphorically for a person or thing that is exceptionally boring, heavy, or difficult to get through, like a dense book.

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paquete🔊B2

Employ 'paquete' to describe someone who is inept, useless, or clumsy, particularly in a physical activity or task.

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seta🔊B2

Use 'seta' for someone who is passive, inactive, or a wallflower, doing nothing when they should be participating.

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English → Spanish

calibre

kah-LEE-braykaˈli.βɾe

nounB1
Use this word to refer to the internal diameter of a tube, such as a gun barrel or a pipe.
A close-up illustration of a single metallic bullet resting horizontally. A simplified, stylized measuring caliper is positioned around the bullet, clearly indicating its diameter.

Examples

La policía encontró balas de calibre nueve milímetros.

The police found nine-millimeter caliber bullets.

Necesitamos un cable de calibre más grueso para esta instalación eléctrica.

We need a thicker gauge wire for this electrical installation.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in '-e', 'calibre' is always a masculine noun, so use 'el' or 'un' before it.

rollo

ROH-yohˈro.ʎo

nounB2informal
Use 'rollo' to describe a tedious or boring event, activity, or situation that is dull and uninteresting.
A child sits slumped at a wooden table, resting their head on their hand, looking extremely bored while staring at a single, long strand of spaghetti that stretches across the table.

Examples

¡Qué rollo de película! No pasa nada interesante.

What a boring movie! Nothing interesting happens.

Tener que esperar una hora en la cola fue un rollo.

Having to wait an hour in line was a drag/hassle.

Mi jefe se pone muy rollo cuando habla de sus vacaciones.

My boss gets really boring/tedious when he talks about his vacation.

Expressing Boredom

When 'rollo' means 'bore,' it is usually used with 'ser' (to be) or in the exclamation '¡Qué rollo!' to show strong frustration or boredom.

Confusing 'Rollo' and 'Aburrido'

Mistake: “Using 'Estoy rollo' to mean 'I am bored.'”

Correction: Use 'Estoy aburrido/a' for 'I am bored.' 'Soy un rollo' means 'I am a boring person.'

plomo

PLOH-mohˈplomo

nounB2informal
Choose 'plomo' when referring to a person who is very dull, tiresome, or a wet blanket, often due to excessive talking.
A man sitting on a chair looking very sleepy and bored.

Examples

Tu primo es un plomo; no para de hablar de sus sellos.

Your cousin is such a bore; he doesn't stop talking about his stamps.

¡Qué plomo de película! Me quedé dormido.

What a drag of a movie! I fell asleep.

ladrillo

lah-DREE-yohlaˈðɾiʝo

nounB2informal
Use 'ladrillo' metaphorically for a person or thing that is exceptionally boring, heavy, or difficult to get through, like a dense book.
A person sitting on a chair looking very tired and yawning while looking at a very thick, heavy book.

Examples

Ese libro de historia es un ladrillo.

That history book is a real bore (heavy going).

La conferencia fue un ladrillo y me quedé dormido.

The lecture was a total drag and I fell asleep.

No veas esa película, es un ladrillo de tres horas.

Don't watch that movie; it's a three-hour bore.

Using with 'Ser'

To describe something as boring using this word, always use the verb 'ser' (to be) because it's considered a characteristic of the thing.

The Indefinite Article

Even when you use it as an adjective in English (it's boring), in Spanish you keep the 'un' (it's 'a' brick).

Using 'Estar'

Mistake: “Saying 'La clase está un ladrillo.'”

Correction: Say 'La clase es un ladrillo.' We use 'es' for things that are boring by nature.

paquete

pah-KEH-tehpaˈkete

nounB2informal
Employ 'paquete' to describe someone who is inept, useless, or clumsy, particularly in a physical activity or task.
A clumsy person wearing sports gear stumbling and tripping over their own feet next to an untouched soccer ball.

Examples

No lo pongas a jugar al fútbol, es un paquete.

Don't put him in to play soccer, he's totally clumsy/inept.

La película fue un paquete, me aburrí muchísimo.

The movie was a bore (a dud), I got incredibly bored.

Using 'Ser' vs 'Estar'

Since this refers to a permanent quality (being inept or boring), you use the verb 'ser' (e.g., 'es un paquete').

seta

seh-tahˈseta

nounB2informal
Use 'seta' for someone who is passive, inactive, or a wallflower, doing nothing when they should be participating.
A shy person standing alone near a wall at a party while others dance in the background.

Examples

¡Venga, levántate y baila! No seas una seta.

Come on, get up and dance! Don't be such a wallflower.

Using 'Ser' vs 'Estar'

Use 'ser una seta' if someone is naturally boring or quiet. Use 'estar como una seta' if they are just being quiet at this specific moment.

Bore vs. Boring Person

Learners often confuse the Spanish words for a 'boring thing' (like 'rollo' or 'ladrillo') with those for a 'boring person' ('plomo'). Remember that 'rollo' and 'ladrillo' describe situations or objects, while 'plomo' specifically labels a tiresome individual.

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