rude and Spanish rudo

RÚD

In English

rude

impolite / disrespectful

In Spanish

rudo

tosco, fuerte

Spanish "rudo" means: rough / tough

Why they get mixed up Spanish "rudo" mainly describes someone rough or tough, though it can also mean impolite, and there the two overlap. English "rude" is mainly someone impolite or deliberately disrespectful. "Rudo" in the sense of rough is "rough" or "rugged" in English.

If you want to say...

rudegrosero
roughrudo o áspero
impolitedescortés

Examples

Don't be rude to your sister.
No seas grosero con tu hermana.
That was a rude comment.
Ese fue un comentario grosero.
It's rude to talk with your mouth full.
Es de mala educación hablar con la boca llena.
He was rude to the waiter.
Fue grosero con el mesero.

Common mistakes in Spanish

Incorrect: ~~Es un hombre rudo, nunca saluda ni da las gracias.~~

Correct: Es un hombre grosero, nunca saluda ni da las gracias.

Rudo means rough or tough. For rude, use grosero or maleducado.

Incorrect: ~~Fue muy rudo con la mesera.~~

Correct: Fue muy grosero con la mesera.

Use grosero for rude behavior.

Phrases you will hear

a rude commentun comentario grosero
rude behaviorcomportamiento grosero
It's rude to...Es de mala educación...
be rude to someoneser grosero con alguien
roughrudo (áspero)
toughduro

In a conversation

A:
Don't be rude to your sister.
No seas grosero con tu hermana.
B:
I'm not rude, I'm just tired.
No soy grosero, solo estoy cansado.
A:
It's rude to shout.
Es de mala educación gritar.
B:
Sorry. It was a tough day.
Perdón. Fue un día duro.

Test yourself

"A rude person" is someone who is...

To remember it

Rude = impolite/disrespectful. Rough/tough (Spanish "rudo") = rough/tough.

Frequently asked questions

What does Spanish "rudo" mean?

Spanish "rudo" means "rough / tough". It looks like the English "rude", which is exactly why it gets confused, but "rude" means "impolite / disrespectful".

Does English "rude" mean the same as Spanish "rudo"?

Spanish "rudo" mainly describes someone rough or tough, though it can also mean impolite, and there the two overlap. English "rude" is mainly someone impolite or deliberately disrespectful. "Rudo" in the sense of rough is "rough" or "rugged" in English.