How to Say "Gigolo" in Spanish

gigoló

/xiɡoˈlo/masculine

The English word 'gigolo' can be translated into Spanish as gigoló. Wiktionary also lists puto and saltimpanqui.

Meaning: male having sexual relationships for money (noun)

Ways to say it

“gigolo” in Spanish
Spanish	IPA	Note
gigoló	/xiɡoˈlo/	masculine
puto	/ˈputo/	masculine
saltimpanqui	/saltimpanki/ (from spelling rules)	Dominican Republic, masculine

The term refers to a man who engages in sexual relationships in exchange for money.

In the Dominican Republic, the word saltimpanqui is used to refer to a gigolo.

/xiɡoˈlo/

The Spanish word puto is a phonetic twin to the Tagalog word puto, which describes a traditional steamed rice cake.
In the Dominican Republic, the word saltimpanqui is used for a gigolo. This term originally described an acrobat or a tightrope walker.
In some Spanish-speaking regions, if you use the word puto to describe someone, you are not just using a slang term for a gigolo, but a highly aggressive slur that can provoke physical confrontation.

No puedo creer que esa mujer esté con ese chulo.
I can't believe that woman is with that gigolo.
Ese hombre trabaja como gigoló.
That man works as a gigolo.
El gigoló recibió mucho dinero.
The gigolo received a lot of money.
No confíes en ese gigoló.
Don't trust that gigolo.

María and Daniel are discussing a character in a soap opera.

Daniel

¿Viste la nueva serie de televisión?
Did you see the new TV series?
María

Sí, el protagonista es un gigoló.
Yes, the protagonist is a gigolo.
Daniel

Es un personaje muy interesante.
He is a very interesting character.
María

Daniel, es un personaje muy polémico.
Daniel, he is a very controversial character.

Sources

Wiktionary, “gigolo” translations and entries gigoló, puto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries puto, CC BY-SA 4.0.

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏