Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chisme | /ˈt͡ʃisme/ | Latin America, masculine |
| bochinche | /boˈt͡ʃint͡ʃe/ | Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, colloquial, masculine |
| cahuín | /kaˈwin/ /kaˈɡwin/ |
Chile, colloquial, masculine |
| chambre | /ˈt͡ʃambɾe/ | El Salvador, Honduras, colloquial, masculine |
| chimento | /t͡ʃiˈmento/ | Argentina, Uruguay, colloquial, masculine |
| copucha | /koˈput͡ʃa/ | Chile, colloquial, feminine |
| cotilleo | /kotiˈʝeo/ | Spain, masculine |
| cuecho | /kwet͡ʃo/ (from spelling rules) | Nicaragua, colloquial, masculine |
| argüende | /aɾˈɡwende/ | Mexico, colloquial, masculine |
| vinazo | /biˈnaθo/ /biˈnaso/ |
Costa Rica, colloquial, masculine |
| marujeo | /maɾuˈxeo/ | Spain, colloquial |
| salseo | /salˈseo/ | Spain, colloquial |
| chismorreo | /t͡ʃismoˈreo/ | Spain, masculine |
The term refers to idle talk, rumors, hearsay or juicy information. While chisme names the piece of gossip itself, the related verb chismear refers to the act of gossiping. If you want to describe a person who is gossipy, you can use the adjective chismoso. Additionally, comadreo is used to describe gossip specifically among women within a close-knit community.
Which one should you use?
In Spain, chismorreo is used to emphasize the act of gossiping itself, often in a playful or gossipy atmosphere.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Chisme is an informal term. Many of the regional variations, such as bochinche, cahuín, chambre, chimento, cuecho, argüende and salseo, are also colloquial.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spanish has many regional words for gossip. In Spain, you may use cotilleo, marujeo or salseo. In Chile, you can use the masculine cahuín or the feminine copucha. In Argentina and Uruguay, chimento is used. In the Dominican Republic, Panama and Puerto Rico, bochinche is common. In El Salvador and Honduras, use chambre. In Nicaragua, use cuecho. In Mexico, use argüende. In Costa Rica, use vinazo.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Chisme is a masculine noun. Its plural form is chismes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃisme/
Did you know?
- In Spain, the word marujeo derives from the name 'Maruja', a stereotypical name for a nosy housewife.
- Another theory is that chisme evolved from the Latin word cīmicem, which refers to a bedbug.
- In Chile, the word cahuín for gossip actually originates from the Mapudungun word kawiñ, which means 'party'.
Examples in context
- Le gustan los chismes.He loves to gossip.This sentence shows how someone can enjoy chisme.Tatoeba #952808 by hayastan, translation #508263 by FeuDRenais
- El chisme hirió su reputación.The gossip hurt his reputation.This sentence illustrates how chisme can affect a reputation.Tatoeba #1721263 by marcelostockle, translation #49594 by CK
- Propaga cotilleos.He spreads gossip.This sentence demonstrates how someone spreads cotilleo.Tatoeba #7921474 by arh, translation #7932358 by Seael
- La chismografía es un comportamiento perjudicial para el ambiente laboralGossiping is a detrimental behavior for the work environment
- ¡Cuéntame todos los chismes que has escuchado!Tell me all the gossip you've heard!
- Es impresionante el chusmerío que se arma en el vecindarioThe gossip that goes around in the neighborhood is incredible
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two coworkers are talking during a break.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿escuchaste el último chisme de la oficina?Alejandro, did you hear the latest office gossip?
- AlejandroNo, no sé nada. Cuéntame todo.No, I don't know anything. Tell me everything.
- LucíaDicen que el jefe va a renunciar pronto.They say the boss is going to quit soon.
- AlejandroNo creo que ese chisme sea verdad.I don't think that gossip is true.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gossip” translations and entries chisme, bochinche, cahuín, chambre, chimento, copucha, cotilleo, argüende, vinazo, marujeo, salseo, chismorreo, 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 bochinche, cahuín, chisme, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
