gorjear
/ɡoɾxeˈaɾ/
The Spanish phrase for chitter is gorjear.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of gorjear is /ɡoɾxeˈaɾ/.
Did you know?
- The word gorja also refers to a piece of armor that protects the throat. This means the root of gorjear is shared with medieval military equipment.
- While gorjear describes a bird's song, Spanish uses the distinct word chismear to describe 'chattering' in the sense of gossiping. These two types of 'chittering' are completely separate in Spanish.
- In some literary contexts, gorjear is used metaphorically to describe the first sounds a baby makes before they can speak, treating the infant's cooing as a form of avian chittering.
Examples in context
- Ella estaba tan asustada que sus dientes comenzaron a chirriar.She was so scared that her teeth started to chitter.
- Me dio tanto frío que comenzaron a castañearme los dientes.I got so cold that my teeth started chittering.
- Los niños estaban tan asustados que sus dientes castañeaban.The children were so frightened that their teeth were chittering.
- Los pájaros suelen gorjear al amanecer.The birds usually chitter at dawn.
- Puedo oír a las aves gorjear en el jardín.I can hear the birds chittering in the garden.
- Es relajante escuchar a los pájaros gorjear.It is relaxing to listen to the birds chitter.
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are sitting on a balcony on a sunny morning.
- Elena¡Mira, Javier! Los pájaros empiezan a gorjear.Look, Javier! The birds are starting to chitter.
- JavierEs verdad, Elena, suena muy bonito.It is true, Elena, it sounds very beautiful.
- Elena¿Escuchas cómo les gusta gorjear tanto?Do you hear how much they like to chitter?
- JavierSí, me encanta este sonido natural.Yes, I love this natural sound.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gorjear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
