Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Donkey in Spanish
Burro · noun · BOO-rro
The standard Spanish word for donkey is burro. In more formal or literary contexts, asno is also used. Regional variants include borrico in parts of Spain and the archaic jumento.
BOO-rro
El burro llevaba la carga por el camino de montaña.
The donkey carried the load along the mountain path.
Donkey in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for donkey, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| burro | donkey | BOO-rro | Default, widely understood |
| asno | donkey | Formal/Literary | |
| jumento | donkey | Archaic/Literary | |
| borrico | donkey | Spain |
How Native Speakers Use Burro
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Rural scene
Los campesinos usaban burros para transportar la cosecha al mercado.
The farmers used donkeys to transport the harvest to the market.
Describing the traditional role of donkeys in agricultural communities.
Animal encounter
Los niños se rieron al ver al burro comiendo zanahorias en la granja.
The children laughed when they saw the donkey eating carrots at the farm.
A lighthearted scene of children interacting with a farm animal.
Figurative use
No seas burro, piensa antes de contestar el examen.
Don't be a donkey—think before answering the exam.
Using burro figuratively to call someone stubborn or foolish, a common informal expression.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Burro
Confusing burro with burrito
Incorrect: Pedí un burro de carne asada en el restaurante.
Correct: Pedí un burrito de carne asada en el restaurante.
A burro is a donkey. A burrito (literally little donkey) is the popular Mexican food item. Mixing them up leads to a humorous but incorrect sentence.
Using mula instead of burro
Incorrect: Vimos un mula en el campo.
Correct: Vimos un burro en el campo. / Vimos una mula en el campo.
A mula (mule) is a hybrid between a horse and a donkey, not a donkey itself. Also, mula is feminine, so the article should be una, not un.
Lock in Donkey Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Burro used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using burro in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El burro llevaba la carga por el camino de montaña. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Donkey in Spanish
- What is the difference between burro and asno?
- Both mean donkey, but burro is the everyday, colloquial word used across the Spanish-speaking world. Asno is more formal and literary, similar to how English speakers might use ass in older or formal texts.
- Can burro be used as an insult in Spanish?
- Yes, calling someone burro informally means they are being stubborn, slow, or not very bright. It is a mild, commonly used expression and is not considered highly offensive among friends.
- Is the word burrito related to burro?
- Yes, burrito is the diminutive of burro, literally meaning little donkey. The food may have gotten its name because the folded tortilla resembles the rolled packs that donkeys carried on their backs.