Inklingo

How to Say "filth" in Spanish

English → Spanish

suciedad

soo-syeh-DAHDsuθjeˈðað

nounA2general
Use 'suciedad' when referring to a significant or offensive level of dirt and grime, especially when it evokes a feeling of disgust.
A child's hand covered in dark smudges and dirt, showing a clear contrast against their skin.

Examples

No me gusta la suciedad en la cocina.

I don't like the dirt in the kitchen.

Es difícil quitar la suciedad de estas botas.

It is hard to remove the dirt from these boots.

La suciedad acumulada en las calles es un problema para la ciudad.

The accumulated dirt on the streets is a problem for the city.

The '-dad' ending rule

Words ending in '-dad' are almost always feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with this word: 'la suciedad'.

Uncountable things

Like the English word 'dirt,' we usually talk about 'suciedad' as a general mass, not as individual pieces of dirt.

Gender confusion

Mistake: “el suciedad”

Correction: la suciedad (because words ending in -dad are feminine)

porquería

nounB1general
Use 'porquería' to describe a messy, dirty state, often implying a jumbled or untidy collection of dirt or debris, and can also refer to something morally reprehensible.

Examples

Limpia la cocina, ¡hay una porquería tremenda!

Clean the kitchen, there is a tremendous mess!

Choosing between 'suciedad' and 'porquería'

Learners often confuse 'suciedad' and 'porquería' because both mean dirt. Remember that 'suciedad' is a more direct translation for 'filth' when it's intensely dirty or disgusting. 'Porquería' often implies a mess or a pile of dirt, and can extend to mean something morally bad.

Related Translations

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