Spanish Conversation · Level 26
90 words
Spanish word
burro
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈburo/
Meaning
- masculine noundonkey
Example
Los burros trabajan en la granja.
The donkeys work on the farm.
More examples
Montaron en burro para recorrer el campo.
They rode donkeys to tour the countryside.
Core concept
Small sturdy equine with long ears used for carrying loads.
Common phrases
montar en burro
ride donkeys
burro doméstico
domesticated donkey
alimentar a burros
feed donkeys
Similar words
asno: Hardy long-eared domestic equine kept for carrying packs and doing field work.
caballo: Large fast equine raised for riding, transport, and pulling heavy farm loads.
mulo: Sterile hybrid of horse and donkey, valued for strength and used as a pack animal.
Definition in Spanish
Mamífero doméstico de la familia de los caballos, usado para transporte y trabajo; coloquialmente, término para señalar a alguien torpe o ignorante.
Word origin
The Spanish word comes from Late Latin burricus 'small horse', and its figurative sense 'fool' developed from the animal's reputation for stubbornness in rural speech.
Usage tips
- Ser un burro and hacer el burro are common colloquial expressions meaning to be ignorant or to act foolishly, and they are inappropriate in formal situations.