Inklingo

How to Say "to bore" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to bore” is “aburrir” — use 'aburrir' when something or someone is not interesting and causes a lack of interest or a feeling of weariness.

English → Spanish

aburrir

ah-boo-reeraβuˈrir

verbA2general
Use 'aburrir' when something or someone is not interesting and causes a lack of interest or a feeling of weariness.
A child sitting at a wooden table with their chin resting on their hand, looking tired and disinterested.

Examples

El documental sobre la Segunda Guerra Mundial me aburrió.

The documentary about World War II bored me.

La película me aburre mucho.

The movie bores me a lot.

Me aburro cuando no tengo nada que hacer.

I get bored when I have nothing to do.

No quiero aburriros con los detalles de mi viaje.

I don't want to bore you all with the details of my trip.

The 'Gustar' Pattern

When you want to say something bores you, use the same structure as 'gustar'. Put the person receiving the boredom first: 'Me aburre el fútbol' (Soccer bores me).

Doing it to Yourself

If you add 'se' to the end (aburrirse), it means 'to get bored'. In this case, the verb changes based on who is feeling bored: 'Me aburro' (I get bored).

Boring vs. Bored

Mistake: “Using 'Soy aburrido' to say you feel bored right now.”

Correction: Use 'Estoy aburrido'. 'Soy aburrido' means you are a boring person in general!

cansar

kahn-SAHRkanˈsaɾ

verbB1general
Choose 'cansar' when you lose interest due to excessive repetition of something, leading to fatigue or annoyance.
A person yawning while sitting in front of a long, plain brick wall.

Examples

Siempre cuenta las mismas anécdotas y me cansa.

He always tells the same anecdotes and it bores me.

Sus historias siempre me cansan.

His stories always bore me.

Ya me cansa su mala actitud.

I'm getting tired of his bad attitude.

No me canso de ver esta película.

I never get tired of watching this movie.

Similar to 'Gustar'

When used to mean 'to bore,' it often acts like the verb 'gustar'. You say 'Me cansa' (It tires me) to mean 'I am tired of this'.

hartar

ar-TARaɾˈtaɾ

verbB1informal
Employ 'hartar' when someone's repeated actions or words make you weary and exasperated, bordering on being fed up.
A small child repeatedly tugging on the sleeve of a tired-looking adult sitting on a sofa.

Examples

Sus excusas constantes me están hartando.

His constant excuses are starting to bore/annoy me.

Tus quejas me van a hartar.

Your complaints are going to annoy me.

Ese ruido termina por hartar a cualquiera.

That noise ends up tiring anyone out.

No quiero hartarte con mis problemas personales.

I don't want to bore you with my personal problems.

Using 'Hartar' vs 'Hartarse'

Use 'hartar' when you are annoying someone else. Use the reflexive 'hartarse' (adding -se to the end) when you are the one getting fed up.

The preposition 'de'

When you want to say what specifically is annoying you, use the word 'de' after the verb, as in 'Me harté de esperar' (I got fed up with waiting).

Confusing 'Hartar' with 'Odiar'

Mistake: “Using hartar to mean 'I hate it' permanently.”

Correction: Hartar is usually about reaching a limit of patience. Use 'odiar' for hate and 'hartar' for losing your cool after too much of something.

matar

ma-tarmaˈtaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'matar' specifically in the idiomatic phrase 'matar el tiempo' or 'matar el aburrimiento' to mean 'to kill time' or 'to alleviate boredom'.
A person sitting on a bench in a quiet public area, patiently reading a book to pass the time.

Examples

Leí un libro para matar el aburrimiento durante el viaje.

I read a book to kill time during the trip.

Mientras esperaba el autobús, leí un libro para matar el tiempo.

While I waited for the bus, I read a book to kill time.

Esta clase me está matando de aburrimiento.

This class is killing me with boredom.

Mi jefe me mata con tanto trabajo.

My boss is killing me with so much work.

perforar

pair-fo-RARpeɾfoˈɾaɾ

verbB2technical/general
This translation refers to the physical act of making a hole or tunnel, such as drilling into the ground or sea, and is not related to the feeling of boredom.
A large yellow industrial drill rig standing in a wide open field.

Examples

Los ingenieros perforaron la montaña para construir el túnel.

The engineers bored through the mountain to build the tunnel.

La petrolera está perforando en el mar.

The oil company is drilling at sea.

Perforaron la montaña para construir la autopista.

They tunneled through the mountain to build the highway.

Industrial Context

In engineering, 'perforar' is often followed by the material being drilled or the resource being sought (using 'en busca de').

Aburrir vs. Cansar vs. Hartar

The most common mistake is using 'aburrir' when the boredom stems from repetition. If something is repetitive and makes you tired of it, 'cansar' or 'hartar' are often better choices. 'Aburrir' is for general lack of interest, while 'cansar' and 'hartar' imply a weariness from repetition.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.