How do you say "white trash" in spanish?
That dude is white trash.
19 Answers
Idaho, There is nothing wrong with having a tender heart and you've overstepped the bounds here with an attack on their personality. I would have just overlooked this question as it (to me) wasn't worth answering but now you've opened a can of worms. Your question was borderline with the rules set forth for the forum. Certainly not as bad as some we've had and not requiring flagging but also not the type of subject matter most of us want to have here. The majority of members are looking to learn something or teach and make new friends doing so, if that doesn't interest you then so be it, but be aware that badmouthing members isn't going to gain you any respect.
Hi, Idaho. I share Marianne's sentiments. It was not my intention to "snap" at you, just to rise a warning about a delicate issue.
Hopefully it is clear by now that "white trash" is indeed a very ugly term. If I didn't provide a translation, is not because I didn't want to, but because I really don't think a direct translation can be provided. The concept of "white trash" is a unique socio-cultural phenomenon of the United States.
As I said, other countries and cultures have their own prejudices, and many of those do not make any sense in the U.S.A.
Some places have very nasty words to refer to the Romani people, for example, or to the Hmong. Some places discriminate against people of certain races,or skin color or religion.
Let's make no mistake that "White Trash" is a discriminatory and derogatory term, and nobody in their right mind goes around proudly stating "My name is Frank and I am White Trash"
I find prejudice to be very odious and distasteful, and certainly my answer reflected that. But I took your question to be legitimate and not ill-intentioned. Likewise, my answer was honest and consistent with my way of thinking, and in no way meant as an attack against you. In fact, I welcome challenging questions and sensitive subjects - I think such discussions are important. It just may be that some of those discussions may not fit the purpose of this forum.
Please don't feel bad, and please carry on with your contributions! Hopefully we are all the richer today because of the discussion generated!
white trash blancos pobres del sur de los EEUU
(this was taken from the dictionary)
Anyway, I have heard the expression "basura blanca" in the movies. That is when you want to say that they are the worst of white people. But from my point of view it is not referred to poor white people but bad white people. But I suppose it depends on the context. You could refer to the poverty or to the evilness of some white people.
When you say "basura blanca" to somebody you are insulting that person.
Hi Idaho. Welcome to the forum.
You've chosen the wrong place for such a translation.
Just as we wouldn't give you derogatory names to call other races we won't give you negative terms to call white people.
Idaho, it is not strange Marianne's reaction. Realise your question could be considered as not politically correct.
Then, you have to be more understanding and see that some people think that this question shouldn't be asked.
The basic problem is that your question deals more with social issues than language issues. The phrase "poor white trash" combines several ideas/prejudices. #1 "poor" is used to suggest of low economic status (could be a fairly objective assessment but often is used to suggest that they are poor simply because they are lazy). #2 "white", obviously as opposed to "black" which invokes the memory of huge numbers of prejudices/discriminatory practices that exist (and have existed for a long time) in the U.S.A. The same sort of practices exist in parts of Africa and very similar sorts of discrimination exist in many societies (although the differentiation may be based on factors other than skin color). #3 "trash" is, basically, self-explanatory, since it simply means that the speaker holds the person/people referred to in low esteem.
In most (perhaps, all) societies there are people who are viewed (by the majority) as "lesser beings". The discrimination may be based on skin color, language, wealth, ethnic origin, religion, in fact, almost anything that serves to differentiate one person from another. The important consideration is that, for many, it is necessary/desirable to have someone who is "lower on the social scale". Nobody wants to feel himself to be at the "bottom of the heap". In general, the further down the social scale one goes the more important it is to have someone else who is even "lower".
So, Idaho, Your mistake wasn't so much the question but rather the remark against our dear Marianne and Gekkosan. Your recent reply sounded to me like an apology and I would say that everything is cool now so welcome to the board.
That ugly expression is strictly a product of a particular cultural prejudice. It cannot be translated because other cultures do not have the exact same concept. (They do of course have their own ugly prejudices, but they are different ones).
Sorry. Everybody says it can not be translated!! 
I would probably not translate it if it could be done. But I will comment on the meaning as it is a commonly heard phrase. I have lived in the southern US.
I would not relate the term to bad/evil. Rather envision a poor uneducated/uncouth/ignorant white person living in squalor. I think more recently some people might imply that "white trash" associated squalor is a lifestyle choice.
It is not a term I would use except to discuss the absurdity of generalization of this type.
In Argentina when someone is a bad person you just say: "Es una basura". It doesn't really matter the colour of his/her skin
So, the bottom line is that an equivalent term doen't exist anywhere in the world but here in the US due to the unique cultural history of the US. However in all the latin american countries they have similar issues, because we're all human and that's the way we humans are. It would be great if we could get off politics and stick to Spanish.
even though the term "white trash" is considered a distastful term some people dont mean to offend but ask simply for the sake of learning. the fact that it took forever to get a translation for this term was ridiculous because the topic of conversation escalated more than what it shouldve. you cant help the curiosity of others no matter how tedious it may be. we're all here to learn = )
Gekkoson: funny, hope I can remember that. One last last comment on what I thought would be a one or two word answer."white trash" may have and may still refer to low income in some circles. Today I ask a lot of people from millionaires to very little accumulated "wealth", more than a few races and nationalities without me asking in a leading way, and all agreed that it means a "white person with little or no redeeming moral qualities"(that's my own phrasing). Then I learned what they call their races version, which I won't repeat here. So, take it for what it's worth. Have Fun and remember Todo Tranquil, Todo Bien
Rodger that. Been looking at past posts and found a lot of knowledge to be tapped into, very good site. Marianne, Gekkoson, maybe my heart was tender, I jumped the gun and called the kettle black so to speak. Eddy... I think you should thank Nuxita for saving you from becoming me
ANY WAY- tiempo para trabajar
Tener alegria y Vaya con Dios
