Inklingo

How to Say "litter" in Spanish

English → Spanish

basura

/ba-SOO-ra//baˈsuɾa/

NounA1General
Use 'basura' when referring to trash, garbage, or waste that has been carelessly discarded in a public place or left lying around.
A large, black, tied-up trash bag overflowing with colorful household garbage next to a metal trash can.

Examples

No dejes basura en el parque.

Don't leave litter in the park.

Por favor, saca la basura.

Please, take out the trash.

El camión de la basura pasa los martes por la mañana.

The garbage truck comes on Tuesday mornings.

No tires basura en el parque.

Don't throw litter in the park.

Always Feminine

Remember that 'basura' is a feminine word, so you'll always use 'la basura' or 'una basura', never 'el' or 'un'.

andas

AHN-das/ˈan.das/

NounB2Historical/Formal
Use 'andas' to refer to a historical type of platform or litter, often carried by people, used for transporting important figures or religious statues, especially in processions.
A large, heavy wooden processional float decorated with ornate carvings and candles. The bottom edge shows the feet of the people carrying the platform.

Examples

Las andas del santo pesaban mucho.

The saint's litter was very heavy.

Los costaleros llevaban las pesadas andas del Cristo por la calle.

The bearers were carrying the heavy processional float of the Christ through the street.

Las andas fueron decoradas con terciopelo y oro para la procesión.

The floats were decorated with velvet and gold for the procession.

Trash vs. Processional Litter

The most common mistake is using 'andas' for discarded trash. Remember that 'basura' is the everyday word for garbage and waste, while 'andas' refers to a specific historical or ceremonial carrying device.

Related Translations

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