cabeza de chorlito
/kabeθa de t͡ʃoɾlito/from spelling rules
The Spanish phrase for "dodo head" is cabeza de chorlito.
How do you pronounce it?
/kabeθa de tʃoɾlito/
Did you know?
- The term chorlito is derived from the German word Schörlbor, showing a historical linguistic link between Germanic and Spanish bird names.
- Calling someone a cabeza de chorlito is generally considered a lighthearted or affectionate tease rather than a harsh insult.
- While English uses the extinct dodo to describe a foolish person, Spanish uses the chorlito, a small, active shorebird known for being easily startled.
Examples in context
- No seas una cabeza de chorlito.Don't be such a scatterbrain.
- A veces soy una cabeza de chorlito.Sometimes I am a bit scatterbrained.
- Esa cabeza de chorlito olvidó las llaves.That scatterbrain forgot the keys.
Example conversation
Lucía is searching for her phone while Alejandro watches.
- Alejandro¿Dónde dejaste el móvil, Lucía?Where did you leave your phone, Lucía?
- LucíaNo lo encuentro, soy una cabeza de chorlito.I can't find it, I'm such a scatterbrain.
- AlejandroMira, está sobre la mesa.Look, it is on the table.
- Lucía¡Es verdad! Qué despiste tengo.It is! I am so absent-minded.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabeza, cabeza de chorlito, chorlito, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
