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How to Say "dirty" in Spanish

English → Spanish

sucio

SOO-thee-oh (Spain) / SOO-see-oh (Latin America)ˈsu.θjo

adjectiveA1/B1general
Use 'sucio' for general physical uncleanliness or when referring to dishonest or unfair behavior.
A close-up of a sturdy hiking boot thoroughly covered in thick brown mud and dirt, illustrating physical uncleanliness.

Examples

Mis zapatos están muy sucios después de caminar en el parque.

My shoes are very dirty after walking in the park.

Necesitas cambiarte; toda tu ropa está sucia.

You need to change; all your clothes are dirty.

El suelo de la cocina estaba sucio con migas y grasa.

The kitchen floor was dirty with crumbs and grease.

Ganó el partido con un juego sucio y muchas trampas.

He won the match with dirty play and lots of cheating.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'sucio' describes nouns, its ending must match the noun. Use 'sucio' (masculine singular), 'sucia' (feminine singular), 'sucios' (masculine plural), or 'sucias' (feminine plural).

Forgetting Gender Agreement

Mistake: “La camisa es sucio.”

Correction: La camisa es sucia. (Always match the adjective to the noun's gender, 'camisa' is feminine.)

puerco

PWEHR-kohˈpweɾko

adjectiveA2informal
Use 'puerco' to describe something that is extremely physically filthy or disgusting, often to a greater degree than 'sucio'.
A white t-shirt covered in large brown mud splatters.

Examples

¡Qué puerco está el baño!

How filthy the bathroom is!

No seas puerco y límpiate la cara.

Don't be gross; clean your face.

Me hizo una jugada muy puerca.

He played a very dirty trick on me.

Changing for Gender

When using this as a description, it must match what you are describing. If you describe a room (la habitación), use 'puerca'. If you describe a car (el coche), use 'puerco'.

Using with 'Ser' vs 'Estar'

Use 'ser' if someone is naturally a messy person ('Él es puerco'). Use 'estar' if something is just dirty right now ('El piso está puerco').

Avoiding Offense

Mistake: “Calling a stranger 'puerco'.”

Correction: This is very informal and can be an insult. Only use it with friends or to describe objects unless you mean to be rude!

verde

BEHR-dehˈbeɾðe

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'verde' specifically when talking about jokes or comments that are obscene, risqué, or sexually suggestive.
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.

Physical vs. Moral 'Dirty'

The most common confusion is between 'sucio' and 'puerco'. While both mean physically dirty, 'sucio' is more general. Crucially, only 'sucio' can also mean morally wrong or dishonest; 'puerco' is almost exclusively for physical filth.

Related Translations

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