burguesía

bourgeoisie; middle class

noun boor-geh-SEE-ah Rare

Origin: From French bourgeoisie, from Old French burgeis (town-dweller), ultimately Germanic burg (fortified town).

Usage Note

Burguesía carries both its sociological Marxist sense (the capitalist class) and the looser everyday sense of the comfortable middle class. The adjective is burgués / burguesa. In political discourse in Spain and Latin America it often keeps a left-critical connotation.

Examples

"La burguesía apoyó las reformas económicas del siglo XIX."

Natural Translation

The bourgeoisie supported the economic reforms of the 19th century.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

Tener in Spanish: Why You're Hungry, Cold & 30 Years

In Spanish you HAVE hunger, cold, and 30 years — not are them. Master tener expressions like tengo hambre, tengo frío, and tengo 30 años in one rule.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

Mexican Spanish Slang Every Traveler Should Know

Mexican Spanish slang decoded for travelers: what güey, mande, órale, and ahorita really mean, who you can safely say them to, and how rude each one is.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

How to Say "You" in Spanish: Tú, Usted, Vos & Vosotros

Spanish has five words for "you": tú, usted, vos, vosotros, and ustedes. Learn which to use by who you're talking to and where — plus the verb endings.

June 3, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Por vs Para in Spanish: One Mental Model, No Acronyms

Por looks backward at cause and path; para looks forward at goal and destination. Master por vs para in Spanish with one mental model — no acronyms needed.

June 3, 2026 6 min read