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"Borde" is a form of "borde", a noun which is often translated as "edge". "Filo" is a form of "filo", a noun which is often translated as "cutting edge". Learn more about the difference between "borde" and "filo" below.
el borde, borde(
bohr
-
deh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (border)
a. edge
El senderista estaba parado en el borde del risco.The hiker was standing on the edge of the cliff.
b. rim
Los astronautas caminaron por el borde del cráter.The astronauts walked along the rim of the crater.
c. bank (of a river)
El bote está en el otro borde del río.The boat is on the opposite bank of the river.
d. side
Estaciona al borde del camino para cambiar la rueda pinchada.Pull over on the side of the road so we can change the flat tire.
e. brim
Sé que Jenny tomó de esta copa porque puedo ver la marca de lápiz labial rojo en el borde.I know Jenny drank from this cup because I can see red lipstick on the brim.
f. brink
Estaba al borde de la bancarrota y tuve que vender mi casa y mi auto.I was on the brink of bankruptcy and I had to sell my house and car.
g. verge
La película era tan triste que estuve al borde del llanto.The movie was so sad that it brought me to the verge of tears.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
2. (colloquial) (unfriendly person) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡El camarero es un borde! No le dejaré propina.The waiter is such a jerk! He's not going to get a tip.
No invitamos a tu primo a la fiesta porque es un borde.We didn't invite your cousin to the party because he is really annoying.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
3. (colloquial) (unfriendly) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
el filo(
fee
-
loh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (weaponry)
a. cutting edge
El herrero aguzó el filo de la espada.The blacksmith sharpened the cutting edge of the sword.
c. edge
El pirata limpió la sangre del filo de su machete.The pirate cleaned off the blood on the edge of his machete.
2. (border)
a. edge
El paciente sufrió graves quemaduras y está al filo de la muerte.The patient suffered severe burns and is on the edge of death.
3. (biology)
a. phylum
¿Sabes a cuál de los filos pertenecen los humanos? - Sí, formamos parte de los cordados porque somos vertebrados.Do you know which phylum humans belong to? - Yes, we're part of the Chordata because we're vertebrates.
4. (geography) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. ridge
Los filos estrechos de la cordillera son intransitables en la nieve.The narrow ridges of the mountain range are impassable in the snow.
5. (colloquial) (hunger) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Tienes algo para comer en el refrigerador? Tengo filo.Do you have anything to eat in the fridge? I'm starving.
Tengo un filo enorme. ¿Podemos ir a cenar a casa de una buena vez?I'm so hungry. Can we go home already and have dinner?
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
6. (colloquial) (partner) (River Plate)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. boyfriend (masculine)
Anoche vi al filo de Ana a los besos con una rubia hermosa.Last night I saw Ana's boyfriend hooking up with a beautiful blonde.
b. girlfriend (feminine)
La fila de Roberto no lo deja bailar tango con otras mujeres.Roberto's girlfriend doesn't let him dance tango with other women.
