chuleta
/t͡ʃuˈleta/
The English phrase "crib sheet" is translated into Spanish as chuleta.
chuleta is a colloquial way to refer to a cheat sheet or a crib sheet used by students. To describe the act of using a cheat sheet during an exam, you can use the phrase sacar una chuleta.
What does it mean word for word?
The word chuleta literally means "pork chop" in Spanish.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
chuleta is an informal and colloquial term.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃuˈleta/
Did you know?
- While chuleta is common in Spain, students in Mexico often use the term acordeón to refer to a crib sheet because the folded paper resembles the bellows of an accordion.
- The term chuleta shares an ancestral root with the word for 'rib', because a pork chop is essentially a piece of meat attached to a rib.
- Some students create chuletas as a study method, believing that the act of condensing information into a tiny space helps them memorize the material.
Examples in context
- Necesito una hoja de trucos para el examen de mañanaI need a crib sheet for tomorrow's exam
- ¿Alguien tiene una chuleta para el examen?Does anyone have a crib sheet for the exam?
- No puedes usar una chuleta en el examen.You cannot use a crib sheet in the exam.
- Escribí una chuleta con las fórmulas.I wrote a crib sheet with the formulas.
- ¿Me prestas tu chuleta de vocabulario?Can you lend me your vocabulary crib sheet?
Example conversation
Two students are studying in a library before a test.
- AlejandroTengo miedo de olvidar todo.I am afraid of forgetting everything.
- LucíaTranquilo, hice una chuleta para estudiar.Relax, I made a crib sheet to study.
- Alejandro¿Me la dejas ver, Lucía?Can I look at it, Lucía?
- LucíaSí, Alejandro, pero no la uses en clase.Yes, Alejandro, but do not use it in class.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chuleta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chuleta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
