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balbucear means to babble — a common term in Funny Words. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: September 5, 2025

😆 Funny Words

balbucear

verb • /[bal-boo-se-AR]/

to babble

Example:

Balbucea cuando toma brillo nuevo.

He babbles when he tries something new.

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🧠 What does balbucear mean?

Balbucear means to speak in a hesitant, unclear, or confused way, often because of nervousness, excitement, or not knowing a language well. Think of a baby's first attempts at speech, or someone trying to speak a foreign language they're just beginning to learn. It can also describe speaking in a rushed, jumbled manner, making it difficult to understand.

📚 Extra examples

  • El niño pequeño balbuceaba algo sobre un pájaro azul.
    The little boy babbled something about a blue bird.
  • Estaba tan nerviosa que balbuceaba al dar la presentación.
    I was so nervous that I babbled while giving the presentation.
  • Intenté balbucear algunas frases en español, pero nadie me entendió.
    I tried to babble a few phrases in Spanish, but nobody understood me.
  • El sospechoso balbuceaba excusas incoherentes.
    The suspect babbled incoherent excuses.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to babble' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'to babble' in Spanish is 'balbucear'.
How do you pronounce 'balbucear' in Spanish?
It's pronounced bahl-boo-thay-ahr, with the emphasis on the third syllable (thay). Remember to roll the 'r' slightly.
How do you use 'balbucear' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'El bebé balbucea sin parar' (The baby babbles nonstop). 'Balbuceé una respuesta nerviosa' (I babbled a nervous reply).
What is the English translation of 'balbucear'?
The English translation of 'balbucear' is 'to babble'.
Does 'balbucear' change for gender or number?
Yes, like most verbs in Spanish, 'balbucear' conjugates depending on the subject. For example, 'yo balbuceo' (I babble), 'él balbucea' (he babbles), 'ellos balbucean' (they babble).
Is 'balbucear' common in everyday Spanish?
While not incredibly common, 'balbucear' is understood and used in everyday conversations, especially when talking about babies or someone speaking unclearly.
Does 'balbucear' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'balbucear' doesn't really have any slang or double meanings. It's a pretty straightforward verb.
Is 'balbucear' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and usage of 'balbucear' are consistent across both Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'balbucear' in Spanish?
Here's a simple present tense conjugation: Yo balbuceo Tú balbuceas Él/Ella/Usted balbucea Nosotros/Nosotras balbuceamos Vosotros/Vosotras balbuceáis Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes balbucean

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "balbucear"

Synonyms: farfullar, tartamudear, mascullar
Opposites: articular, pronunciar claramente

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'balbucear' comes from the Latin word 'balbutire,' which also meant 'to stammer' or 'to stutter.'

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