bruja

witch

noun BROO-hah Rare

Origin: Origin uncertain; possibly pre-Roman Iberian.

Also means

hag, old crone

Usage Note

Bruja can be a neutral label for a witch in folklore or fantasy, or a derogatory term for an unpleasant woman — context determines register. The masculine counterpart brujo is more often a serious term for a male sorcerer or shaman, especially in Latin American indigenous contexts. The exclamation ¡bruja! is an insult, so learners should be cautious.

Examples

"La bruja preparó una poción misteriosa."

Natural Translation

The witch prepared a mysterious potion.

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