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el borrador means draft — a common term in Academic & Exam Prep. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 2, 2025

🧠 Academic & Exam Prep

el borrador

noun • /[bo-rra-DOR]/

draft

Example:

Estoy trabajando en el borrador final.

I'm working on the final draft.

🧠 What does el borrador mean?

In an academic or professional context, 'el borrador' refers to a preliminary version of a written work, such as an essay, report, or article. It is the initial draft that is subject to review, editing, and revision before the final version is produced. The term can also refer to a physical eraser used to remove pencil marks.

📚 Extra examples

  • El profesor nos pidió entregar el primer borrador del ensayo el lunes.
    The professor asked us to turn in the first draft of the essay on Monday.
  • Revisa bien el borrador antes de enviar el correo electrónico oficial.
    Review the draft carefully before sending the official email.
  • ¿Me prestas un borrador? Cometí un error en este cálculo.
    Can you lend me an eraser? I made a mistake in this calculation.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'borrador' is derived from the verb 'borrar', which means 'to erase' or 'to delete'. This connection neatly explains its two main uses: a draft is a version meant to be changed or have parts 'erased', and an eraser is the tool used for that action.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "el borrador"

Synonyms: el esbozo, la versión preliminar, el borrón, el anteproyecto
Opposites: la versión final, el texto definitivo, el original

🔍 See more academic & exam prep words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'draft' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'draft' in Spanish, especially for a document or piece of writing, is 'el borrador'.
How do you pronounce 'el borrador' in Spanish?
It is pronounced: el boh-rrah-DOR. The 'rr' is a trilled 'r' sound, and the stress falls on the final syllable, 'dor'.
How do you use 'el borrador' in a sentence?
For example, one might say: 'Siempre guardo una copia del borrador por si acaso.' (I always save a copy of the draft just in case.)
What is the English translation of 'el borrador'?
The primary English translation of 'el borrador' is 'draft'. It also commonly translates to 'eraser'.
Does 'el borrador' change for gender or number?
'El borrador' is a masculine noun. The plural form is 'los borradores', used for multiple drafts or erasers.
Is 'el borrador' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'el borrador' is very common, particularly in academic, school, and office environments for both of its meanings.
Does 'el borrador' have slang or double meanings?
Beyond its two primary meanings of 'draft' and 'eraser', 'el borrador' does not have common slang meanings. The context almost always clarifies which meaning is intended.
Is 'el borrador' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
For 'draft', the term 'el borrador' is standard across the entire Spanish-speaking world. For 'eraser', while 'borrador' is widely understood, some countries in Latin America more commonly use 'la goma' or 'la goma de borrar'.

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