Inklingo

How to Say "crude" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “crude” is “bruto” — use 'bruto' when referring to something in its raw, unprocessed, or unrefined state, often in a financial or material context..

bruto🔊B1

Use 'bruto' when referring to something in its raw, unprocessed, or unrefined state, often in a financial or material context.

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rudo🔊B1

Choose 'rudo' to describe behavior or speech that is rough, impolite, or lacking refinement, often causing offense.

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vulgar🔊B2

Use 'vulgar' for language or behavior that is considered offensive, lacking taste, or socially unacceptable.

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grosero🔊B2

Employ 'grosero' when describing something physically coarse, like rough textures, or when referring to impolite or rude behavior.

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comúnB2

Use 'común' to describe something as plain, unpolished, or lacking sophistication, often in the context of style or art.

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verde🔊B2

Use 'verde' specifically when referring to jokes or humor that is off-color, risqué, or obscene.

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English → Spanish

bruto

/broo-toh//ˈbɾuto/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'bruto' when referring to something in its raw, unprocessed, or unrefined state, often in a financial or material context.
A large, overflowing wooden crate filled to the top with bright red apples.

Examples

Mi salario bruto es de dos mil euros.

My gross salary is two thousand euros.

La empresa exporta diamantes en bruto.

The company exports rough (uncut) diamonds.

Placement

In finance, 'bruto' almost always comes after the word it describes, like 'salario bruto'.

Gross as Disgusting

Mistake: “Using 'bruto' to mean 'yucky' or 'disgusting'.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'bruto' is for math or totals. If something is disgusting, use 'asco' or 'asqueroso'.

rudo

ROO-doh/ˈru.ðo/

adjectiveB1general
Choose 'rudo' to describe behavior or speech that is rough, impolite, or lacking refinement, often causing offense.
A close-up illustration of a gray stone with a visibly coarse, uneven texture, emphasizing its roughness.

Examples

Su lenguaje era muy rudo y ofendió a varios invitados.

His language was very crude and offended several guests.

La tela de la chaqueta se siente ruda y pica.

The jacket fabric feels rough and itchy.

El trato que recibió fue rudo e injusto.

The treatment he received was harsh and unfair.

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).

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.

vulgar

bool-GAR/bulˈɣaɾ/

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'vulgar' for language or behavior that is considered offensive, lacking taste, or socially unacceptable.
A single, brightly colored, oversized pink plastic flamingo decoration standing in a patch of simple green grass, symbolizing tastelessness.

Examples

El presentador hizo un comentario muy vulgar y tuvo que disculparse.

The host made a very vulgar comment and had to apologize.

No me gustó la decoración; la encontré un poco vulgar.

I didn't like the decor; I found it a bit tasteless.

Adjective Form

As an adjective, 'vulgar' always stays the same regardless of whether the noun is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'un chiste vulgar' and 'una broma vulgar'). Only the ending changes for plural: 'vulgares'.

grosero

groh-SEH-roh/ɡɾoˈse.ɾo/

adjectiveB2general
Employ 'grosero' when describing something physically coarse, like rough textures, or when referring to impolite or rude behavior.
A close-up illustration of a hand feeling the rough, coarse texture of burlap fabric.

Examples

El pintor usó un pincel de cerdas muy groseras.

The painter used a brush with very coarse bristles.

Necesitamos sal grosera para sazonar la carne.

We need coarse salt to season the meat.

Physical Description

In this sense, 'grosero' describes the physical quality or texture of an object, like sand, fabric, or salt.

común

adjectiveB2general
Use 'común' to describe something as plain, unpolished, or lacking sophistication, often in the context of style or art.

Examples

La crítica rechazó su estilo por considerarlo demasiado común.

The critic rejected his style for considering it too crude/plain.

verde

/BEHR-deh//ˈbeɾðe/

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'verde' specifically when referring to jokes or humor that is off-color, risqué, or obscene.
A simple cartoon character sticking out a tongue and crossing eyes, looking childishly impolite.

Examples

A mi jefe no le gusta que contemos chistes verdes en la oficina.

My boss doesn't like us telling dirty/obscene jokes in the office.

La película tenía diálogos un poco verdes para un público infantil.

The movie had slightly crude dialogue for a child audience.

Distinguishing between 'Rudo', 'Vulgar', and 'Grosero'

Learners often confuse 'rudo', 'vulgar', and 'grosero'. Remember that 'rudo' often implies rough or impolite behavior/speech, 'vulgar' suggests offensive or tasteless content, and 'grosero' can describe both physical coarseness and rudeness.

Related Translations

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