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"Dud" is an adjective which is often translated as "defectuoso", and "thud" is a noun which is often translated as "el ruido sordo". Learn more about the difference between "dud" and "thud" below.
dud(
duhd
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (colloquial) (non-functional)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. defectuoso
This is where we keep the dud electrical appliances until they go back to the factory.Aquí es donde guardamos los aparatos eléctricos defectuosos hasta que se devuelvan al fabricante.
b. que no funciona
The guy in the store sold me a dud light bulb.El hombre de la tienda me vendió una bombilla que no funciona.
c. que no estalla (bomb or shell)
People don't realize how dangerous dud artillery shells can be.La gente no se da cuenta de lo peligroso que puede ser un proyectil de artillería que no estalla cuando debería hacerlo.
2. (colloquial) (worthless)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. sin fondos (check)
The boss gave me a dud check when he fired me.El jefe me dio un cheque sin fondos cuando me despidió.
b. sin valor
The bank ended up with a portfolio of dud mortgage loans.El banco acabó con una cartera de hipotecas sin valor.
c. falso (bill or banknote)
He tried to pay with a dud $20 bill.Intentó pagar con un billete falso de $20.
3. (colloquial) (of poor quality)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. malo
My first role was in a dud movie nobody has ever heard of.Mi primer trabajo fue en una película mala que nadie conoce.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
4. (colloquial) (movie, book or play)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. el desastre (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The author's latest novel is a complete dud.La última novela del autor es un desastre total.
b. el fracaso (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The studio lost a fortune on this box-office dud.Los estudios perdieron una fortuna con este fracaso de taquilla.
c. la porquería (F) (colloquial)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
The band's last album was a dud.El último álbum de la banda fue una porquería.
5. (colloquial) (item or device which does not work)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
The TV was a dud so they gave me my money back.El televisor no funcionaba así que me devolvieron el dinero.
We tested 100 new cellphones and seven of them were duds.Probamos 100 celulares nuevos y siete resultaron ser defectuosos.
6. (colloquial) (bomb or shell)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Luckily for us, the mortar round was a dud.Tuvimos suerte porque el obús no estalló.
The bomb that they planted was a dud.La bomba que pusieron no llegó a explotar.
7. (colloquial) (person)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. el inútil (M), la inútil (F)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The new guy in the office is a real dud.El tipo nuevo en la oficina es un inútil total.
b. el desastre (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
My sister's boyfriend is a real dud. He can't even change a plug.El novio de mi hermana es un desastre. No sabe ni cambiar un enchufe.
8. (colloquial) (bill or coin)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. el billete falso (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The $20 bill he gave me was a dud.El billete de $20 que me dio era falso.
duds
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
9. (colloquial) (clothes)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
b. los trapos (M) (colloquial)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Where did you buy those duds?¿Dónde compraste esos trapos?
thud(
thuhd
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
1. (dull noise)
a. el ruido sordo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I could feel the thud of his heart against my chest.Podía escuchar el ruido sordo que el latido de su corazón hacía contra mi pecho.
b. el golpe sordo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
I heard a series of thuds, then the door came crashing down.Oí una serie de golpes sordos, luego la puerta se vino abajo.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. hacer un ruido sordo
She could hear the soldiers' heavy boots thudding around upstairs.Del piso de arriba le llegaba el ruido sordo que hacían las pesadas botas de los soldados.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I was startled when a bird suddenly thudded into the window.Me asusté cuando un pájaro de pronto chocó contra la ventana haciendo un ruido sordo.
We listened to the bombs thudding down on the city.Oíamos como las bombas caían con un ruido sordo sobre la ciudad.
a. latir con fuerza
I heard a strange noise outside and my heart began to thud.Oí un ruido extraño afuera y mi corazón empezó a latir con fuerza.
