de mierda
shitty · fucking
Definition & meaning
De mierda is a vulgar Spanish expression meaning “of shit,” “shitty,” “crappy,” or “damn”, depending on context.
-
Literal meaning: “of or made of shit”
It can describe something physically related to excrement, although this use is less common outside literal contexts. -
Figurative meaning: “terrible,” “worthless,” or “of very poor quality”
It is commonly used to express strong annoyance, contempt, or disappointment. For example, un trabajo de mierda means “a shitty job” or “a lousy job.”
It can also intensify a noun, similar to “damn” or “fucking” in informal English, though it remains vulgar.
Grammar & Word origin
De is a preposition meaning “of,” “from,” or “made of.”
Mierda is a vulgar noun meaning “shit” or “excrement.”
The phrase literally means “of shit.” In figurative use, it functions as a fixed vulgar modifier placed after a noun:
- un día de mierda — a shitty day
- una película de mierda — a terrible movie
- un sueldo de mierda — a lousy salary
It is informal and offensive in polite or professional situations.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- malo — bad; neutral and much less vulgar
- pésimo — extremely bad; stronger but not necessarily vulgar
- horrible — horrible or awful; generally neutral
- cutre — shabby, cheap, or low-quality; especially common in Spain
- asqueroso — disgusting; emphasizes disgust rather than poor quality
Unlike these alternatives, de mierda is notably vulgar and can express anger or contempt more forcefully.
Antonyms
There is no exact opposite expression, but possible contrasts include:
Common phrases & collocations
Make “de mierda” part of your vocabulary.
Build your Spanish vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Tuvimos un día de mierda en casa.other
We had a shitty day at home.
No quiero escuchar tus excusas de mierda.other
I don't want to hear your fucking excuses.
Compré una computadora de mierda ayer.other
I bought a shitty computer yesterday.
Keep exploring Spanish
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad