Inklingo

How to Say "dump" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word fordumpis basurerouse 'basurero' when referring to a place where waste is disposed of, like a landfill, or metaphorically, a very messy room or space..

English → Spanish

basurero

/bah-soo-REH-roh//basuˈɾeɾo/

nounB1
Use 'basurero' when referring to a place where waste is disposed of, like a landfill, or metaphorically, a very messy room or space.
A large pile of colorful discarded items and bags in an open field.

Examples

Tiraron la basura vieja en el basurero.

They threw the old trash in the dump.

Llevaron los muebles viejos al basurero municipal.

They took the old furniture to the municipal dump.

¡Tu cuarto parece un basurero!

Your room looks like a dump!

agujero

ah-goo-HEH-roh/a.ɣuˈxe.ɾo/

nounC1informal
Use 'agujero' to describe a place that is a terrible, run-down, or depressing hangout spot.
A dilapidated, gray shack with broken windows and overgrown weeds surrounding it, looking dismal and abandoned.

Examples

Ese café es un agujero, prefiero ir a otro lado.

That cafe is a dump, I prefer to go elsewhere.

Este bar es un agujero, vámonos a otro sitio.

This bar is a dump/dive, let's go somewhere else.

Pasé dos semanas viviendo en un pequeño agujero sin internet.

I spent two weeks living in a little remote spot without internet.

Use of Articles

When used in this way, it usually takes 'un' or 'ese/aquel' (that/that distant one) to emphasize the negative feeling associated with the place.

Trash vs. Terrible Place

The most common mistake is using 'agujero' for a place that actually handles trash. Remember, 'basurero' is for waste, while 'agujero' is for a disreputable or unpleasant location.

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