cazafortunas
/ˌkaθafoɾˈtunas/feminine, masculine
In Spanish, the English phrase gold digger is translated as cazafortunas. If unsure, use cazafortunas. Wiktionary also lists chapiadora and cafiche.
Meaning: person who cultivates a personal relationship in order to attain money or material goods, power (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cazafortunas | /ˌkaθafoɾˈtunas/ /ˌkasafoɾˈtunas/ |
feminine, masculine |
| chapiadora | /t͡ʃapjaˈdoɾa/ | feminine |
| cafiche | /kaˈfit͡ʃe/ | feminine, masculine |
| trepador | /tɾepadoɾ/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to a person who cultivates a personal relationship specifically to attain money, material goods or power.
What does it mean word for word?
The word cazafortunas is a compound of caza, meaning hunt and fortunas, meaning fortunes.
Which one should you use?
While cazafortunas focuses on the pursuit of wealth, trepador describes a climber, implying someone who uses people to ascend the social or professional ladder.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word cazafortunas is invariable in gender. It stays the same for both masculine and feminine subjects, though the article used with it will change to reflect the person's gender.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌkaθafoɾˈtunas/
Did you know?
- The disputed origin of cafiche may even link back to the Italian word for 'catfish', stoccafisso, suggesting a bizarre linguistic journey from sea creatures to social climbers.
- In some regions, cafiche has evolved beyond money-seeking to describe a pimp or someone who exploits others for profit.
- The term cafiche is part of 'Lunfardo', a unique slang used in Argentina and Uruguay that emerged from the linguistic melting pot of immigrants in the late 19th century.
Examples in context
- Mi amiga está saliendo con alguien, pero me preocupa que sea un cazafortunas.My friend is dating someone, but I'm worried they might be a fortune hunter.
- ¡Viste a Lucía con el nuevo novio? Seguro es una buscafortunas.Did you see Lucia with her new boyfriend? She's definitely a fortune seeker.
- Ella es una cazafortunas.She is a gold digger.
- No confíes en él, es un cazafortunas.Don't trust him, he is a gold digger.
- Dicen que esa mujer es una cazafortunas.They say that woman is a gold digger.
Example conversation
María and Javier are talking about a mutual acquaintance.
- MaríaMira el coche nuevo de Elena.Look at Elena's new car.
- JavierElla siempre busca hombres ricos.She always looks for rich men.
- MaríaSí, es una cazafortunas total.Yes, she is a total gold digger.
- JavierTienes toda la razón, María.You are absolutely right, María.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gold digger” translations and entries cazafortunas, chapiadora, cafiche, trepador, 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 cafiche, cazafortunas, trepador, CC BY-SA 4.0.
