chismear
/t͡ʃismeˈaɾ/
The English phrase "gossiping" can be expressed in Spanish using the verb chismear.
While chismear is the standard verb for the action, you can also use the noun chisme to refer to the specific piece of gossip being shared.
Meaning: Act of gossiping (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the word cotillear is commonly used to refer to chatting or gossiping about the private matters of others. In Latin America, the term chismorrio is used to convey the idea of gossiping.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe a person who likes to gossip, use the adjective chismoso for a male or chismosa for a female.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃismeˈaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word chisme can be used as a generic term for a 'trinket' or a small, nameless object in certain regional dialects, moving far beyond the realm of talking.
- In many Latin American countries, rather than using a verb for gossiping, people might say they are echando el chisme, which literally translates to 'throwing the gossip'.
- While chisme is the most common word for gossip, in certain Caribbean contexts, the term bochinche is used to describe both a piece of gossip and the loud, noisy commotion that often accompanies it.
Examples in context
- Nunca deberíamos difundir chismes sobre los demás, es importante ser respetuosos.We should never spread rumors about others, it's important to be respectful.
- ¿No tienes otra cosa de qué hablar? Siempre estás chismeando sobre la vida ajena.Don't you have anything else to talk about? You're always gossiping about other people's lives.
- Se pasan horas charlataneando sobre los demás, deberían ocupar su tiempo en algo más productivo.They spend hours gossiping about others, they should use their time more productively.
- No me gusta chismear.I don't like to gossip.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are chatting during a break at work.
- JavierElena, ¿te gusta chismear en la oficina?Elena, do you like gossiping in the office?
- ElenaNo, Javier, yo prefiero trabajar en silencio.No, Javier, I prefer to work in silence.
- JavierEs que algunos compañeros no paran de chismear.It's just that some colleagues don't stop gossiping.
- ElenaEs mejor ignorarlos y seguir adelante.It's better to ignore them and move on.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chismear, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
