Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chismoso | /t͡ʃisˈmoso/ | masculine |
| copuchento | /koput͡ʃento/ (from spelling rules) | Chile, colloquial, masculine |
| argüendero | /aɾɡwendeɾo/ (from spelling rules) | Mexico, colloquial, masculine |
| alcahuete | /alkaˈwete/ | masculine |
| cotilla | /koˈtiʝa/ | feminine, masculine |
| gacetilla | /ɡaθeˈtiʝa/ | feminine |
| llevaitrae | /ʝebaitɾae/ (from spelling rules) | Latin America, feminine, masculine |
Which one should you use?
While chismoso refers to someone who spreads rumors, alcahuete often implies a busybody or someone who facilitates/enables scandalous behavior.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term chismoso/a is widely used in informal settings to mean gossiper. Cotilla is a common, informal way to refer to a gossiper. Other terms like copuchento and argüendero are specifically colloquial.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Specific regional terms include copuchento, which is a colloquial way to say gossiper specifically in Chile and argüendero, which is a colloquial way to say gossiper specifically in Mexico.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of chismoso is chismosa. The masculine plural form of chismoso is chismosos. The feminine plural form of chismosa is chismosas. The word cotilla can be used as either a masculine or feminine noun. The term llevaitrae can also be used in both masculine and feminine forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃisˈmoso/
Did you know?
- The word alcahuete originates from the Arabic word al-qawwád, which originally meant 'pimp'.
- In Spain, the word cotilla is often used as a lighthearted or playful label for a curious neighbor, whereas chismoso can feel more judgmental.
- In some contexts, alcahuete is used to describe a 'wingman' or someone who helps two people start a romantic relationship.
Examples in context
- Ella es una persona muy chismosaShe is a very gossipy person
- Esa vecina es una cotillaThat neighbor is a gossiper
- No le cuentes tus secretos, es muy chismosoDon't tell him your secrets, he is very gossipy
- No le cuentes nada, es un chismoso.Don't tell him anything, he is a gossiper.
- Ese vecino es un chismoso de cuidado.That neighbor is quite a gossiper.
- El chismoso del barrio ya se enteró de todo.The neighborhood gossiper already found out everything.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking about a coworker at a cafe.
- AlejandroJuan es un chismoso muy peligroso.Juan is a very dangerous gossiper.
- LucíaTienes razón, Alejandro, hay que tener cuidado.You are right, Alejandro, we have to be careful.
- AlejandroÉl siempre cuenta los secretos de los demás.He always tells other people's secrets.
- LucíaNo le digas nada a él.Don't tell him anything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “gossiper” translations and entries chismoso, copuchento, alcahuete, cotilla, gacetilla, 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 alcahuete, chismoso, copuchento, CC BY-SA 4.0.
