When you hear burro, your first thought is probably 'donkey.' This is the primary and most common meaning. You'll find it used just like in English, referring to the animal. It's a straightforward noun.
burro en 30 secondes
- Commonly known as a donkey.
- Can be used literally or figuratively.
- Often associated with work animals.
How Formal Is It?
"El asno es un animal de carga muy útil en áreas rurales. (The donkey is a very useful pack animal in rural areas.)"
"El burro lleva la carga en su espalda. (The donkey carries the load on its back.)"
"¡Qué borrico eres al no entender esto! (You're such a dunce for not understanding this!)"
"El burrito tiene orejas largas y una cola con un mechón de pelo. (The little donkey has long ears and a tail with a tuft of hair.)"
"No seas pendejo, eso no tiene sentido. (Don't be a fool/idiot, that doesn't make sense.)"
Grammaire à connaître
Spanish nouns have gender. 'Burro' is a masculine noun. Its feminine form is 'burra'.
El burro es grande. (The donkey is big.) La burra es pequeña. (The female donkey is small.)
To make 'burro' plural, you add '-s' to the end: 'burros'.
Tengo un burro. (I have one donkey.) Tengo dos burros. (I have two donkeys.)
'Burro' can also be used as an adjective, meaning 'stupid' or 'dumb'.
No seas burro. (Don't be stupid.)
When 'burro' is used in a figurative sense to mean 'stupid', it's common to see it with the verb 'ser'.
Él es un burro en matemáticas. (He is really bad at math / a donkey in math.)
The diminutive form of 'burro' is 'burrito', which literally means 'little donkey'. This is also the word for the popular food item.
Comí un burrito de frijoles. (I ate a bean burrito.) El burrito pequeño corre. (The little donkey runs.)
Exemples par niveau
El granjero compró un burro para ayudar en la granja.
The farmer bought a donkey to help on the farm.
Un burro (a donkey) is a common farm animal.
Cargamos las provisiones en el burro antes de la caminata.
We loaded the supplies onto the donkey before the hike.
Cargar (to load) is a transitive verb here, taking 'las provisiones' (the supplies) as its direct object and 'en el burro' (onto the donkey) as a prepositional phrase.
Los niños se rieron al ver el burro comer zanahorias.
The children laughed when they saw the donkey eating carrots.
Reírse (to laugh) is a reflexive verb. 'Al ver' means 'upon seeing' or 'when they saw'.
El burro trota lentamente por el camino de tierra.
The donkey trots slowly along the dirt road.
Trotar (to trot) describes the animal's movement. 'Lentamente' (slowly) is an adverb modifying the verb.
Mi abuelo solía tener un burro muy trabajador.
My grandfather used to have a very hardworking donkey.
Soler (to usually do) in the imperfect ('solía') indicates a past habit or recurring action. 'Trabajador' (hardworking) is an adjective describing the donkey.
En la fábula, el burro es un personaje principal.
In the fable, the donkey is a main character.
La fábula (the fable) is a type of story, often with animals as characters and a moral lesson.
El burro emitió un sonido fuerte, casi un rebuzno.
The donkey made a loud sound, almost a bray.
Emitir (to emit/make) is used to describe the sound. 'Rebuzno' is the specific word for a donkey's bray.
A veces, 'burro' se usa informalmente para describir a alguien terco.
Sometimes, 'burro' is used informally to describe someone stubborn.
This example highlights a common informal, secondary meaning of 'burro' as a stubborn or foolish person. It's important to be aware of this, but it's more common in casual speech.
El granjero utiliza un burro para transportar la leña del bosque a su casa.
The farmer uses a donkey to transport firewood from the forest to his house.
Utiliza (from 'utilizar') is the present tense third person singular form of 'to use'. 'Leña' is firewood. 'Desde... hasta...' means 'from... to...'
Aunque parezca terco, el burro puede ser un animal muy leal y trabajador.
Although it may seem stubborn, the donkey can be a very loyal and hardworking animal.
Aunque (although) introduces a concession. 'Parezca' is the present subjunctive of 'parecer' (to seem). 'Terco' means stubborn. 'Leal' means loyal. 'Trabajador' means hardworking.
En la fábula, el burro aprendió una valiosa lección sobre la humildad.
In the fable, the donkey learned a valuable lesson about humility.
La fábula (the fable). Aprendió (from 'aprender') is the preterite third person singular of 'to learn'. 'Valiosa' (valuable) modifies 'lección'. 'Sobre' means about.
Los niños se divirtieron mucho montando el burro durante su visita a la granja.
The children had a lot of fun riding the donkey during their visit to the farm.
Se divirtieron (from 'divertirse') is the preterite third person plural of 'to have fun'. 'Montando' is the gerund of 'montar' (to ride). 'Durante' means during.
El burro cargaba cestas llenas de manzanas que se venderían en el mercado.
The donkey carried baskets full of apples that would be sold at the market.
Cargaba (from 'cargar') is the imperfect third person singular of 'to carry'. 'Llenas de' means full of. 'Que se venderían' is a passive construction, 'that would be sold'.
Es importante cuidar bien a los burros, ya que son esenciales para algunas comunidades rurales.
It's important to take good care of donkeys, as they are essential for some rural communities.
Es importante (it's important). 'Cuidar bien a' means to take good care of. 'Ya que' means since/as. 'Esenciales' means essential. 'Rurales' means rural.
El burro, con su paso lento pero firme, cruzó el difícil camino de montaña.
The donkey, with its slow but firm pace, crossed the difficult mountain path.
Paso (pace/step). 'Lento' (slow) and 'firme' (firm) describe 'paso'. Cruzó (from 'cruzar') is the preterite third person singular of 'to cross'. 'Difícil' (difficult) modifies 'camino'.
Prefiero los paseos en burro en la playa que los paseos a caballo, son más tranquilos.
I prefer donkey rides on the beach to horse rides; they are calmer.
Prefiero (from 'preferir') is the present tense first person singular of 'to prefer'. 'Paseos' means rides. 'Más tranquilos' means calmer.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
El burro tropezó con la piedra.
The donkey tripped on the stone.
Mi abuelo siempre dijo que trabajara como un burro.
My grandfather always said to work like a donkey.
Llevaba el equipaje cargado como un burro.
He was carrying the luggage loaded like a donkey.
No seas burro, piensa un poco antes de hablar.
Don't be a donkey (stupid), think a little before speaking.
Se subió al burro y empezó a caminar.
He got on the donkey and started to walk.
Esa patada de burro me dejó sin aire.
That donkey kick left me breathless.
Después de mucho discutir, por fin cayó del burro y me dio la razón.
After much arguing, he finally fell off the donkey (realized his mistake) and agreed with me.
Tiene una voz de burro, siempre está gritando.
He has a donkey's voice (loud voice), he's always shouting.
Para este trabajo necesitas la paciencia de un burro.
For this job, you need the patience of a donkey.
Ella es el burro de carga de la oficina, lo hace todo.
She is the pack donkey of the office, she does everything.
Comment l'utiliser
The most common and direct translation of 'donkey' is burro. It's widely understood across Spanish-speaking regions. You might also hear 'asno,' but 'burro' is more colloquial and frequently used.
A common mistake for English speakers learning Spanish is to confuse 'burro' with 'burro' in English, which might bring to mind a 'burrito.' While a 'burrito' (little donkey) is a type of food, 'burro' itself refers only to the animal. Another potential mistake is using 'burro' to mean a 'foolish person' directly, as you might use 'donkey' in English. While it *can* carry this connotation, it's less direct and depends heavily on context. For 'foolish person,' more common terms include 'tonto' or 'necio.'
Teste-toi 42 questions
El granjero tiene un ___.
The sentence is 'The farmer has a ___'. 'Burro' means donkey, which fits the context of a farmer.
El niño montó el ___.
The sentence is 'The boy rode the ___'. 'Burro' (donkey) is an animal one can ride.
El ___ come heno.
The sentence is 'The ___ eats hay'. Donkeys eat hay.
El ___ es un animal de granja.
The sentence is 'The ___ is a farm animal'. A donkey is a common farm animal.
Ella dibujó un ___ pequeño.
The sentence is 'She drew a small ___'. 'Burro' (donkey) is something that can be drawn.
El ___ lleva una carga pesada.
The sentence is 'The ___ carries a heavy load'. Donkeys are often used to carry loads.
The donkey eats hay.
A donkey is an animal.
I have a small donkey.
Read this aloud:
El burro es gris.
Focus: burro (boor-roh), gris (grees)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Quiero un burro.
Focus: Quiero (kyeh-roh), un (oon)
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
El burro es amigo.
Focus: amigo (ah-mee-goh)
Tu as dit :
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Write a short sentence using 'burro' to describe an animal.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
El burro es un animal.
Imagine you see a donkey. Write a sentence saying what color it is.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
El burro es gris.
You are at a farm. Write a simple sentence about a donkey there.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Hay un burro en la granja.
¿Qué tiene el burro?
Read this passage:
El burro es un animal. Tiene orejas grandes y es fuerte. Puede ayudar a llevar cosas.
¿Qué tiene el burro?
The passage states 'Tiene orejas grandes' (It has big ears).
The passage states 'Tiene orejas grandes' (It has big ears).
¿Dónde vive el burro?
Read this passage:
Un burro vive en la granja. Come heno y hierba. Le gusta correr en el campo.
¿Dónde vive el burro?
The passage says 'Un burro vive en la granja' (A donkey lives on the farm).
The passage says 'Un burro vive en la granja' (A donkey lives on the farm).
¿Cómo es el burro?
Read this passage:
Mi amigo tiene un burro. Es muy amigable. Me gusta acariciar al burro.
¿Cómo es el burro?
The passage says 'Es muy amigable' (It is very friendly).
The passage says 'Es muy amigable' (It is very friendly).
Describe a time you saw an animal that reminded you of a burro. What was it doing? How did it look?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Una vez, en un viaje al campo, vi un animal que me recordó a un burro. Era un mulo, que es un híbrido entre un burro y un caballo. Tenía la fuerza de un caballo pero las orejas largas y la mirada tranquila de un burro. Estaba trabajando en un campo, tirando de un arado con mucha paciencia y determinación.
Imagine you are explaining the phrase 'ser un burro' (to be a donkey, meaning to be stubborn or unintelligent) to someone learning Spanish. What would you say?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
La expresión 'ser un burro' en español no se refiere literalmente al animal. Se usa de forma figurada para describir a alguien que es muy terco, que no escucha razones, o a veces, que es un poco lento para entender algo. Por ejemplo, si un amigo insiste en hacer algo de una manera que sabes que no funcionará, podrías decir '¡No seas burro, escúchame!'.
Write a short paragraph describing a typical scene in a rural Spanish-speaking town where a burro might be present.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
En muchos pueblos rurales de habla hispana, aún es común ver burros. Por la mañana, un campesino podría ir con su burro por el camino de tierra, cargando cestas de frutas o verduras del campo al mercado. El burro camina despacio, con paso firme, y sus orejas largas se mueven al ritmo de su andar. Es una imagen tradicional que conecta el presente con el pasado de estas comunidades.
¿Cuál es una de las características más destacadas del burro mencionadas en el texto?
Read this passage:
El burro, a menudo subestimado, es en realidad un animal de gran resistencia y paciencia. A lo largo de la historia, ha sido un compañero indispensable para los humanos, especialmente en tareas agrícolas y de transporte en terrenos difíciles. Su capacidad para cargar peso y su bajo mantenimiento lo hicieron ideal para las comunidades rurales. Hoy en día, aunque su uso ha disminuido en algunas áreas, sigue siendo un símbolo de la vida en el campo y de la tenacidad.
¿Cuál es una de las características más destacadas del burro mencionadas en el texto?
El texto menciona explícitamente que el burro es un animal de 'gran resistencia y paciencia'.
El texto menciona explícitamente que el burro es un animal de 'gran resistencia y paciencia'.
¿Qué representa la frase 'trabajar como un burro'?
Read this passage:
En la literatura y el folclore, el burro a menudo aparece como un personaje humilde pero sabio, o a veces como objeto de burla debido a su percibida lentitud. Sin embargo, en muchas culturas, también es reverenciado por su laboriosidad. La frase 'trabajar como un burro' es un reconocimiento a su incansable esfuerzo. Su presencia en cuentos y fábulas refleja su profundo impacto en la vida humana.
¿Qué representa la frase 'trabajar como un burro'?
El pasaje indica que la frase 'trabajar como un burro' es un 'reconocimiento a su incansable esfuerzo'.
El pasaje indica que la frase 'trabajar como un burro' es un 'reconocimiento a su incansable esfuerzo'.
¿Qué cualidad de los burros impresionó al narrador en su viaje por la montaña?
Read this passage:
Un viaje memorable que hice fue por un camino de montaña estrecho y empinado en Andalucía. No había coches, solo burros que transportaban mercancías a las pequeñas aldeas. Ver a estos animales moverse con tanta seguridad en terrenos tan difíciles me impresionó profundamente. Demostraron una agilidad y un conocimiento del terreno que ningún vehículo motorizado podría igualar. Eran verdaderos maestros de la montaña.
¿Qué cualidad de los burros impresionó al narrador en su viaje por la montaña?
El narrador menciona que los burros 'demostraron una agilidad y un conocimiento del terreno que ningún vehículo motorizado podría igualar'.
El narrador menciona que los burros 'demostraron una agilidad y un conocimiento del terreno que ningún vehículo motorizado podría igualar'.
Which of these proverbs metaphorically uses 'burro' to imply stubbornness or foolishness?
This proverb directly uses 'burro' to describe someone who is foolish or ignorant, emphasizing that true ignorance lies in not recognizing one's own lack of knowledge, rather than just being loud or simple-minded like a braying donkey.
In a formal debate, if someone is described as 'un burro' intellectually, what is the most likely implication?
Figuratively, calling someone 'un burro' implies a lack of intelligence, often to the point of being foolish or ignorant, rather than just being unrefined or persistent.
Which of the following phrases uses 'burro' in a way that suggests a heavy workload or burden?
The phrase 'Cargar como un burro' directly relates to the donkey's traditional role as a beast of burden, implying carrying a heavy load.
The phrase 'Cabeza de burro' is commonly used to praise someone's exceptional intelligence and quick wit.
The phrase 'cabeza de burro' actually refers to someone who is stubborn, foolish, or not very intelligent, not someone with exceptional intelligence.
If a person is described as having 'una paciencia de burro,' it suggests they are extremely impatient and quick to anger.
The expression 'paciencia de burro' is used to describe someone who has immense patience and tolerance, often enduring difficult situations without complaint.
In certain contexts, referring to someone as 'el burro' can be an affectionate, albeit teasing, way to acknowledge their hard work or perseverance, especially in a physically demanding task.
While 'burro' often implies foolishness, in some informal and affectionate contexts, particularly when referring to physical labor or endurance, it can be used to acknowledge someone's hard work or ability to carry a heavy load, akin to a beast of burden.
Listen for the metaphorical use of 'burro' to describe stubbornness.
Listen for 'burro' used as an insult, implying foolishness or incompetence.
Listen for 'burro de carga' used to describe someone who does a lot of hard work.
Read this aloud:
Después de ese error, el jefe me miró como si fuera un burro.
Focus: burro
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
No seas burro y revisa bien los datos antes de enviar el informe.
Focus: burro, revisa
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Mi hijo ha estudiado como un burro para este examen y estoy segura de que le irá muy bien.
Focus: burro, examen, bien
Tu as dit :
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This sentence uses 'burro' in its figurative sense to describe someone who is not good at math but excels in literature. The word order emphasizes the contrast.
This sentence describes the stubbornness of a donkey and draws a broader conclusion about problem-solving. The word order builds up to the lesson learned.
This sentence discusses the contrasting characteristics of a donkey, highlighting its usefulness despite its reputation for stubbornness. The structure introduces the reputation before presenting the counterpoint.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Remember that 'burro' primarily means 'donkey' in Spanish, but it can also be used informally to call someone unintelligent.
- Commonly known as a donkey.
- Can be used literally or figuratively.
- Often associated with work animals.
Exemple
In context, `burro` expresses: donkey.
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Expressions liées
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aceitar
A2Primary meaning: to oil (archaic).
aceite
A2Primary meaning: oil (general).
aceto
A2Primary meaning: I accept (verb).
acordar
A2Primary meaning: to agree.
actualmente
A2Primary meaning: currently, nowadays.
advertir
A2Primary meaning: to warn.
apellido
A2Primary meaning: surname, last name.
asistir
A2Primary meaning: to attend.
atender
A2Primary meaning: to serve, to help.
aviso
A2Primary meaning: warning, notice.
