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"Borde" is a form of "borde", a noun which is often translated as "edge". "Orilla" is a form of "orilla", a noun which is often translated as "shore". Learn more about the difference between "borde" and "orilla" 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
la orilla(
oh
-
ree
-
yah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (geography)
a. shore (of a lake or ocean)
Me gusta caminar por la orilla en las tardes.I like walking along the shore in the afternoon.
b. bank (of a river)
Tom y Huck fueron a pescar por las orillas del Misisipí.Tom and Huck went fishing along the banks of the Mississippi.
2. (border)
a. edge
Sostén la foto por las orillas para que no la manches.Hold the photograph by the edges so you don't smudge it.
a. sidewalk (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Hay una hilera de árboles por la orilla.There is a line of trees along the sidewalk.
b. pavement (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Miraba en los escaparates mientras caminaba por la orilla.She looked in the shop windows while walking down the pavement.
