Inklingo

How to Say "gruff" in Spanish

English → Spanish

brusco

/BROOS-koh//ˈbrusko/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'brusco' to describe a person's overall unfriendly or abrupt temperament, often in a general sense.
A colorful storybook illustration of a person turning their back and walking away from a friendly character trying to talk.

Examples

Perdona si fui un poco brusco por teléfono.

Sorry if I was a bit curt/rude on the phone.

Él tiene un carácter brusco, pero es un buen hombre.

He has a gruff personality, but he is a good man.

Recibió una respuesta brusca y se sintió mal.

She received a blunt reply and felt bad.

Ser vs. Estar

Use 'ser brusco' to describe someone's permanent personality. Use 'estar brusco' if someone is just acting rude or short in a specific moment.

Brusco vs. Grosero

Mistake: “Saying 'brusco' when someone is being intentionally offensive.”

Correction: 'Brusco' implies being short or blunt, often because of stress or personality. 'Grosero' is the word for someone being intentionally offensive or using bad language.

áspero

adjectiveB2general
Use 'áspero' when referring to a short, rough, or impolite way of speaking or interacting, indicating a harsh manner.

Examples

Tiene un carácter un poco áspero.

He has a somewhat harsh character.

Temperament vs. Manner of Speaking

Learners often confuse 'brusco' and 'áspero' because both imply roughness. Remember that 'brusco' usually describes a person's general, ingrained unfriendly disposition, while 'áspero' is more about the immediate, rough quality of their speech or actions.

Related Translations

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