Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Dirty in Spanish: Sucio / Sucia
Sucio · adjective · SOO-syoh
The Spanish adjective 'sucio' (masculine) or 'sucia' (feminine) means dirty. It describes anything that is not clean, from clothing and rooms to figurative uses like 'juego sucio' (dirty play). Informal alternatives include 'mugroso' for something very grimy and 'cochino' for something disgustingly dirty.
Pronounce it SOO-syoh for masculine and SOO-syah for feminine. The stress is on the first syllable, and the 'ci' creates a soft 's' sound.
Tus zapatos están muy sucios después de la caminata.
Your shoes are very dirty after the hike.
Dirty in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for dirty, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| sucio | dirty | SOO-syoh | Default, widely understood |
| sucia | dirty | feminine form | |
| mugroso | dirty | colloquial for very grimy | |
| cochino | dirty | informal, also means piggish or gross |
How Native Speakers Use Sucio
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Laundry
Pon la ropa sucia en la canasta de la lavandería.
Put the dirty clothes in the laundry basket.
Household chore instructions.
Restaurant complaint
Este vaso está sucio, ¿puede traerme otro?
This glass is dirty, can you bring me another one?
Requesting a clean glass at a restaurant.
Figurative usage
Ese político tiene las manos sucias.
That politician has dirty hands.
Accusing someone of corruption.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Sucio
Gender mismatch
Incorrect: La mesa está sucio.
Correct: La mesa está sucia.
'Mesa' is feminine, so the adjective must match: 'sucia,' not 'sucio.'
Mixing up sucio and cochino
Incorrect: El piso está cochino después de la lluvia.
Correct: El piso está sucio después de la lluvia.
'Cochino' implies filthiness or something revolting. A floor muddy from rain is simply 'sucio' (dirty), not disgusting enough to warrant 'cochino.'
Lock in Dirty Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Sucio used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using sucio in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Tus zapatos están muy sucios después de la caminata. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Dirty in Spanish
- What does juego sucio mean?
- The expression 'juego sucio' translates to 'dirty play' or 'foul play,' used in sports and figuratively to describe unfair or dishonest behavior.
- Is cochino a synonym for sucio?
- While 'cochino' can mean dirty, it carries a stronger connotation of filthiness or disgust, and it literally means 'pig,' so it is more informal and emphatic than 'sucio.'
- How do you say to get dirty in Spanish?
- The reflexive verb 'ensuciarse' means to get dirty, as in 'No te ensucies la camisa' (Don't get your shirt dirty), combining the prefix 'en-' with the root 'sucio.'