What is ‘bronca’ in Spanish?
In Spanish, bronca is a slang term that can be used in informal contexts to express that a person has trouble or issues with something or someone. In this context, it means ‘trouble’, ‘issue’ or ‘problem’. In other situations, bronca also expresses that a person is fighting or scolding someone else.
How and When to use ‘Bronca’?
- As a synonym of ‘problem’, ‘trouble’ or ‘issue’. This Mexican slang word is an informal translation of the words ‘problem’, ‘issue’ or ‘trouble’. As a result, we can use bronca in the same situations as you would use ‘problem’ as long as the context is informal. One of the most popular expressions with this word is No hay bronca: ‘No problem’.
- To say ‘fight’ or ‘dispute’. In Mexico, it is also an informal synonym of the word ‘fight’ or ‘dispute’. As with many other slang words, bronca can be transformed into the verb bronquearse which is used as a synonym of ‘to fight’.
- As a synonym of ‘scold’. In informal contexts, we use this slang word as a way to say ‘scold’. It’s common that young Spanish speakers also transform this word into a verb. In this case, ‘bronquear’ means ‘to scold’.
Examples of How to Use Bronca
Here are some examples as well as some common expressions that will help you understand how to use ‘bronca’ correctly.
As a synonym of ‘problem’, ‘trouble’ or ‘issue’.
Just as the Spanish word ‘problemas’, most of the time bronca works with verbs like ‘tener’ and expressions like ‘hay’. On top of this you can intensify your expressions by adding ninguno or muchas.
¿Hoy no puedes? ¡No hay bronca! Nos vemos mañana. You can’t do it today? No problem! I’ll see you tomorrow.
¿En serio? Yo no tuve ninguna bronca para llegar. Really? I did not have a problem getting here.
¡Basta! No quiero tener broncas contigo. Enough! I don’t want to have any problems with you.
Esta semana ha sido difícil porque he tenido muchas broncas de dinero. This week has been difficult because I have had some money issues.
To say ‘fight’ or ‘dispute’
When used as a synonym of ‘fight’ or ‘dispute’, this slang word also has a verbal form: bronquearse.
Mario y Leo se bronquearon ayer. Mario and Leo fought yesterday.
¿Supiste que hubo una bronca con los vecinos? Did you know that there was a dispute with the neighbors?
Escuché que te vas a bronquear con mi hermano, ¿es cierto? I heard that you’re going to have a fight with my brother, is that true?
As you may notice, bronquearse follows the same conjugation pattern that you use when working with reflexive verbs.
As a synonym of ‘to scold’ or ‘scold’.
Remember that in this case people also use the slang verb bronquear as a synonym of ‘to scold’. This meaning of ‘bronca’ is very popular in Spanish speaking countries.
Mi jefe me bronqueó porque llegué tarde. My boss scolded me because I was late.
No me gusta bronquearte, pero tus resultados nos afectan a todos. I don’t like to scold you, but your results affect us all.
Mi madre le echó una buena bronca a mi hermano porque no llegó a la casa. My mom gave my brother a huge scolding for not coming home.
One thing that you need to keep in mind when using ‘bronquear’ is that this verb always works with object pronouns, as a result, you need to be able to place them correctly. Here you can learn more about how to place indirect and direct pronouns in Spanish.
Who Can You Use ‘Bronca’ With?
Bronca, as well as all of its meanings, are very common in informal contexts. As a result, you can use it with all types of people as long as you’re with friends, family or having an informal conversation.
Synonyms & Other Ways to Say ‘Bronca’.
Here are other synonyms that you can use to replace ‘bronca’ when needed.
- Problema is the standard and direct translation of ‘problem’.
- Pelea and the verb ‘pelearse’ are the standard form for ‘fight’.
- Choro is a Mexican slang word that we use as a synonym of ‘lecture’ or ‘scold’. As other slang words, Mexican transformed choro into the verb chorear which means ‘to scold’ or ‘to lecture’.
- Regaño is a standard term (noun) that means ‘scold’ or ‘reprimand’. So this word can be used instead of ‘bronca’ when describing that a person scolded someone else. Regañar is a verb and the direct translation of ‘to scold’.
- Sermón is ‘lecture’, ‘sermon’ or ‘scold’. Spanish speakers use this word to describe that an authoritative figure scolded them for a long period of time.