balbucear

to stammer

USAGE NOTE

This word may also be spelled "balbucir."

balbucear(bahl-boo-seh-ahr)

intransitive verb

1. (to falter)

a. to stammer

Cuando Jorge se pone nervioso, balbucea.

When Jorge gets nervous, he stammers.

b. to stutter

"No fue mi intención hacerte daño", dijo Ana balbuceando.

"I didn't mean to hurt you," stuttered Ana.

2. (to prattle)

a. to babble

Fue emocionante oír al bebé balbucear.

It was exciting to hear the baby babbling.

b. to mumble

Cuando David recuperó la conciencia, empezó a balbucear.

When David regained consciousness, he started mumbling.

transitive verb

3. (to falter)

a. to stammer

"No la oí entrar", balbuceó Ricardo.

"I didn't hear you come in," stammered Ricardo.

b. to stutter

"Pero no fui yo", balbuceé. "Te equivocaste."

"But it wasn't me," I stuttered. "You were mistaken."

c. to stumble over

Julián balbuceó algunas palabras al principio de su discurso.

Julián stumbled over some words at the beginning of his speech.

4. (to slur)

a. to babble

Joselito ya comienza a balbucear sus primeras palabras.

Little José is beginning to babble his first words.