anécdota
/aˈneɡdota/feminine
The English word 'anecdote' is anécdota in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists chascarrillo.
Meaning: short account of an incident (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| anécdota | /aˈneɡdota/ | feminine |
| chascarrillo | /t͡ʃaskaˈriʝo/ |
The word anécdota is a feminine noun used to describe a short account of an incident.
Which one should you use?
While anécdota refers to a short account of an incident, chascarrillo refers specifically to a short, funny anecdote or a witty joke.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of anécdota is anécdotas.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈneɡdota/
Did you know?
- The word chascarrillo is related to the verb chascar, which means to snap or crack, evoking the sound of a sudden punchline or a quick wit.
- The word anécdota shares its Greek roots with the English word 'anecdote', meaning 'unpublished works' or 'things not published'.
- An English speaker might use 'anecdote' for any story, but in Spanish, calling a serious historical event an anécdota might sound slightly trivializing.
Examples in context
- ¡Qué interesante anécdota me acabas de contar!What an interesting anecdote you just told me!This sentence shows how to react to an interesting anécdota someone has just told you.Tatoeba #4483629 by duendebit, translation #8160414 by magnificentgoddess
- Espero que no vaya a contar otra anécdota de Masha.I hope you're not going to tell another anecdote about Masha.This sentence is useful for expressing hope that someone does not tell another anécdota about a specific person.Tatoeba #8022578 by Seael, translation #8022100 by AlanF_US
- ¿Te acuerdas de la anécdota que contó el capitán ayer por la tarde?Do you remember the anecdote the captain told yesterday afternoon?This sentence helps you ask if someone remembers a specific anécdota told by the captain.Tatoeba #2759832 by Shishir, translation #9870381 by DJ_Saidez
- Mi abuelo siempre contaba historias y anécdotas de su juventud.My grandfather always told stories and anecdotes from his youth.
- Ayer me contó una historieta muy divertida sobre su viaje a la playa.Yesterday, he told me a very amusing anecdote about his trip to the beach.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are talking at a coffee shop.
- Javier¿Tienes alguna anécdota graciosa sobre tu perro?Do you have a funny anecdote about your dog?
- ElenaSí, tengo una anécdota muy divertida.Yes, I have a very funny anecdote.
- JavierCuéntamela, me encanta escuchar tus historias.Tell it to me, I love listening to your stories.
- ElenaFue cuando intentó cazar una mariposa en el parque.It was when he tried to hunt a butterfly in the park.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “anecdote” translations and entries anécdota, chascarrillo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anécdota, chascarrillo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
