saltamuros
/saltamuɾos/from spelling rules
The English phrase "border hopper" can be translated into Spanish as saltamuros.
The term describes a person who crosses a national border illegally.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexican Spanish, the term Mojado (literally meaning "wet") is used to refer to someone who crossed the border without permission. In some other Latin American countries, the word Chapulín (which translates to "grasshopper") is used to refer to undocumented migrants who make repeated crossings over the border.
How do you pronounce it?
/saltamuɾos/
Did you know?
- The word salta in saltamuros shares its Latin root with the English word 'exult', which relates to jumping with joy.
- While saltamuros refers to the action of jumping walls, the term mojado implies a person is 'wet' from crossing the Rio Grande river.
- The word muros in saltamuros is plural, which implies the jumper is overcoming multiple physical barriers rather than just a single line on a map.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing a news report about migration.
- AlejandroVieron a un saltamuros en las noticias.They saw a border hopper on the news.
- LucíaEs una situación muy difícil para ellos.It is a very difficult situation for them.
- AlejandroSí, pero ser saltamuros es muy peligroso.Yes, but being a border hopper is very dangerous.
- LucíaTienes razón, Alejandro.You are right, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries saltamuros, CC BY-SA 4.0.
