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How to Say "vulgar" in Spanish

English → Spanish

grosero

groh-SEH-rohɡɾoˈse.ɾo

AdjectiveB1general
Use 'grosero' when referring to rude or impolite behavior, especially in social interactions or speech.
An illustration of a child rudely interrupting an adult who is speaking.

Examples

Fue muy grosero al no saludar a la dueña de casa.

He was very rude for not greeting the hostess.

No uses lenguaje grosero delante de los niños.

Don't use vulgar language in front of the children.

Gender Agreement

As an adjective, 'grosero' must match the person or thing it describes. Use 'grosero' for masculine (el hombre grosero) and 'grosera' for feminine (la mujer grosera).

Using 'Estar' instead of 'Ser'

Mistake: “Él está grosero.”

Correction: Él es grosero. (Rudeness is usually considered a characteristic or personality trait, so we use 'ser'.)

ordinario

or-dee-NAH-ryohoɾ.ði.ˈna.ɾjo

adjectiveB2general
Choose 'ordinario' when someone lacks sophistication, refinement, or good manners, often implying a common or unrefined taste.
A person eating with their hands messy and feet up on a formal dinner table.

Examples

No seas ordinario, no hables con la boca llena.

Don't be rude, don't talk with your mouth full.

Ese chiste fue un poco ordinario para esta cena.

That joke was a bit vulgar for this dinner.

Se comportó de una manera muy ordinaria.

He behaved in a very boorish/vulgar way.

Using 'Ser' vs 'Estar'

Use 'ser ordinario' to describe someone's personality, and 'estar ordinario' to say they are acting rude just in this moment.

The False Friend Trap

Mistake: “Saying 'Eres ordinario' to mean 'You are an average person'.”

Correction: Be careful! In Spanish, calling a person 'ordinario' usually means you think they are vulgar or have no manners. Use 'una persona común' for 'average'.

vulgar

bool-GARbulˈɣaɾ

adjectiveB2general
Use 'vulgar' directly when the meaning is crude, tasteless, or lacking in decency, often referring to offensive comments or art.
A single, brightly colored, oversized pink plastic flamingo decoration standing in a patch of simple green grass, symbolizing tastelessness.

Examples

El presentador hizo un comentario muy vulgar y tuvo que disculparse.

The host made a very vulgar comment and had to apologize.

No me gustó la decoración; la encontré un poco vulgar.

I didn't like the decor; I found it a bit tasteless.

Adjective Form

As an adjective, 'vulgar' always stays the same regardless of whether the noun is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'un chiste vulgar' and 'una broma vulgar'). Only the ending changes for plural: 'vulgares'.

común

AdjectiveB2general
Consider 'común' when 'vulgar' implies something is commonplace, unrefined, or lacking in good taste, but not necessarily offensive.

Examples

La crítica rechazó su estilo por considerarlo demasiado común.

The critic rejected his style for considering it too crude/plain.

Grosero vs. Ordinario

Learners often confuse 'grosero' and 'ordinario'. Remember that 'grosero' primarily focuses on rudeness and impoliteness in behavior, while 'ordinario' leans more towards a lack of sophistication, refinement, or good taste.

Related Translations

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