Spanish Conversation · Level 63
76 words
Spanish word
porquería
Pronunciation
IPA/poɾkeˈɾia/
Meaning
- feminine noungarbage
Example
¡No compres eso, es una porquería!
Don't buy that, it's garbage!
More examples
El juguete se rompió en seguida; era una porquería.
The toy broke right away; it was a piece of junk.
Core concept
A messy heap of garbage and worthless junk.
Common phrases
una porquería
a piece of junk
montón de porquería
a pile of junk
Similar words
basura: Material waste from domestic or public places destined for the garbage bin.
mierda: Obscene term for excrement that functions as an offensive swear word.
chatarra: Worn-out metal parts and appliances valued only as scrap metal.
trasto: Unwanted old furniture or utensils that clutter a home and serve no purpose.
Definition in Spanish
Indica suciedad o restos y, por extensión, cualquier cosa que se considera de poca valía; se usa sobre todo en contextos informales.
Word origin
From Latin porcus 'pig' via medieval porcaria, originally referring to pig-stall filth and later extended to mean rubbish or something of little value.
Usage tips
- Used informally to dismiss things as low-quality or disgusting, so it is inappropriate in formal contexts and polite speech prefers basura or algo de mala calidad instead.