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"Basura" is a noun which is often translated as "trash", and "residuo" is a noun which is often translated as "residue". Learn more about the difference between "basura" and "residuo" below.
la basura(
bah
-
soo
-
rah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (waste)
a. trash (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Se me olvidó sacar la basura antes de irme a trabajar.I forgot to take out the trash before going to work.
b. garbage (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
La calle está llena de basura por la huelga de los basureros.The street is full of garbage because of the garbagemen strike.
c. rubbish (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Aquí dentro huele a basura.It smells of rubbish in here.
2. (container)
a. garbage can (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Está prohibido tirar los muebles viejos a la basura.Throwing old furniture to the garbage can is forbidden.
b. trash can (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
El conserje saca la basura a partir de las 7 pm.The janitor takes out the trash can from 7 pm.
c. rubbish bin (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El viento ha volcado la basura.The rubbish bin fell over in the wind.
d. dustbin (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Pueden multarte si tiras cartones a la basura.You can be fined if you throw out cardboards to the dustbin.
3. (pejorative) (junk)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
a. trash (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Este periódico es una basura desde que cambió de director.This newspaper is trash since they changed the editor.
b. rubbish (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Los programas de televisión de los sábados son pura basura.TV shows on Saturdays are just rubbish.
4. (pejorative) (scum)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
a. piece of filth
No te juntes con ese tipo; es basura.Don't mix with thay guy; he's a piece of filth.
b. trash (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Aquella gente era basura.Those people were trash.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
el residuo(
rreh
-
see
-
dwoh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (chemistry)
a. residue
El residuo que quedó en el balón de destilación es tóxico.The residue left in the distillation flask is toxic.
2. (leftovers)
los residuos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
4. (garbage)
a. waste
La empresa fue demandada por arrojar residuos tóxicos en el río.The company was sued for discharging toxic waste into the river.
b. waste products
Lleva los residuos de la fábrica al aterro de basura.Take the waste products from the plant to the landfill.
