Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| charlatán | /t͡ʃaɾlaˈtan/ | masculine |
| loro | /ˈloɾo/ | masculine |
| cotorra | /koˈtora/ | feminine |
These terms are used to describe someone who talks excessively or has a constant tendency to chat.
What does it mean word for word?
The term loro literally means 'parrot', used metaphorically to describe someone who talks incessantly. Similarly, cotorra literally refers to a type of small parrot or parakeet and is used to describe a person who talks too much.
Which one should you use?
While charlatán can mean a chatterbox, be aware that it is more commonly used to mean a fraud or a person who sells fake cures. The terms loro and cotorra are more colloquial and informal than charlatán.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you want to be formal, you can use verborrágico or verborrágica to describe someone with a tendency to speak excessively. For an informal tone, parlanchín or parlanchina describes someone who enjoys chattering. The terms loro and cotorra are also informal and colloquial.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The terms lorito or lorita are informal terms used in some regions to describe someone who talks a lot.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form cotorra is feminine and is used when referring to a female chatterbox.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃaɾlaˈtan/
Did you know?
- The term loro is not originally from Latin or Romance roots, but was actually borrowed from the Taíno language through the word roro.
- The formal word for a chatterbox, verborrágico, is built from the Latin roots for 'word' and 'flood'.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, using the diminutive lorito or lorita can soften the criticism, turning a 'chatterbox' into a more affectionate description.
Examples in context
- Miguel es un hablador nato, siempre tiene mucho que contar sobre sus viajes.Miguel is a born talker, he always has a lot to share about his travels.
- Ana es una charlatana adorable, siempre alegra nuestras reuniones con su entusiasmo.Ana is an adorable chatterbox, she always brightens our gatherings with her enthusiasm.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about a mutual friend.
- MateoJuan habla demasiado, es un charlatán.Juan talks too much, he is a chatterbox.
- SofíaTên razón, nunca deja de hablar.You are right, he never stops talking.
- MateoAyer me habló por una hora.Yesterday he talked to me for an hour.
- SofíaEs el charlatán del grupo.He is the chatterbox of the group.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chatterbox” translations and entries charlatán, loro, cotorra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries charlatán, cotorra, loro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
