Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bocazas | /boˈkaθas/ /boˈkasas/ |
feminine, masculine |
| bocachancla | /bokaˈt͡ʃankla/ | |
| hocicón | /oθiˈkon/ /osiˈkon/ |
masculine |
These terms are used to describe someone who cannot keep a secret or someone who talks too much. While bocazas is a direct translation of "big mouth" used for people who blab, you might also use chismoso/a for someone who enjoys gossiping or spreading rumors or cotorra (literally "parrot") for someone who talks incessantly. A common idiomatic way to describe such a person is to say they no poder callarse ni debajo del agua, which means they cannot keep quiet even underwater.
What does it mean word for word?
The word bocazas is formed from boca (mouth) and the augmentative suffix -azas, which is used to denote something large or excessive. The word hocicón is derived from hocico, which refers to the snout of an animal, used here metaphorically to describe a person's mouth.
Which one should you use?
Bocazas is a common, slightly more standard informal term. In contrast, hocicón carries a more derogatory or insulting connotation because it compares the person to an animal. For a highly colloquial and colorful option, you can use bocachancla.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Bocazas is an informal term. Hocicón is more insulting and derogatory. Bocachancla is considered highly colloquial.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word bocazas is invariable in gender, so it can be used for both masculine and feminine subjects, though it changes number based on the article used.
How do you pronounce it?
/boˈkaθas/
Did you know?
- The word bocachancla combines the words for 'mouth' and 'flip-flop'. It suggests a mouth as loose and floppy as a chancla.
- While bocazas refers to the person, the related adjective bocón is often used to describe someone who brags or makes promises they cannot keep.
- The word bocazas is gender-neutral, meaning it can describe both a man and a woman without changing its ending.
Examples in context
- No le cuentes tus secretos a María, es una bocazas.Don't tell your secrets to María, she's a big mouth.
- No puedes confiar en Pedro, tiene lengua suelta.You can't trust Pedro, he has a loose tongue.
- No le cuentes nada, es un bocazas.Don't tell him anything, he is a big mouth.
- Esa chica es una bocazas y cuenta todo.That girl is a big mouth and tells everything.
- Tener un amigo bocazas es muy peligroso.Having a big-mouthed friend is very dangerous.
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are talking about a secret.
- SofíaNo le cuentes el secreto a Luis.Don't tell the secret to Luis.
- Javier¿Por qué no puedo decírselo?Why can't I tell him?
- SofíaPorque Luis es un bocazas.Because Luis is a big mouth.
- JavierEs verdad, Javier no diría nada.That's true, Javier wouldn't say anything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “big mouth” translations and entries bocazas, bocachancla, hocicón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bocachancla, bocazas, hocicón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
