guatemalteco
/ɡwatemalˈteko/
The Spanish word for guatemalan is guatemalteco.
The term is used as an adjective to describe something that is of, from or pertaining to Guatemala or its people. It can also function as a noun to refer to a person from Guatemala.
Meaning: of, from, or pertaining to Guatemala or its people (adj)
Which one should you use?
While guatemalteco is the standard adjective, the term chapín is used more informally to refer to the people themselves.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
guatemalteco is the standard form. In contrast, chapín and chapina are colloquial terms used to refer to a Guatemalan person.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, guatemalteco must agree with the noun it modifies. Use guatemalteca for feminine singular nouns, guatemaltecos for masculine plural nouns and guatemaltecas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡwatemalˈteko/
Did you know?
- The word chapín is believed by some to come from the 'chapines' or slippers worn by the Spanish elite in Antigua Guatemala during the colonial era.
- The name guatemalteco is actually a linguistic remnant of the Nahuatl language, which was spoken by the Aztecs in Mexico.
- In Guatemala, the term chapín is so central to the identity that the country is often referred to as 'La Tierra de los Chapines' or 'The Land of the Chapines'.
Examples in context
- Él es guatemaltecoHe is Guatemalan
- Ella es guatemaltecaShe is Guatemalan
- Mi amigo es chapínMy friend is Guatemalan
- Soy guatemalteco y me siento orgulloso de mi país.I am Guatemalan and I am proud of my country.
- ¿Conoces a algún chapín que pueda ayudarnos?Do you know any Guatemalan who can help us?
- La escritora es guatemalteca y ha ganado varios premios literarios.The writer is Guatemalan and has won several literary awards.
- Él es un experto guatemalteco en café.He is a Guatemalan coffee expert.
- El artesano guatemalteco hizo este tejido.The Guatemalan artisan made this weaving.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about their friends' backgrounds.
- Elena¿De dónde es tu amigo?Where is your friend from?
- MateoÉl es guatemalteco.He is Guatemalan.
- Elena¡Qué bien! Yo quiero visitar Guatemala.That's great! I want to visit Guatemala.
- MateoTe gustará mucho el país.You will like the country a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “guatemalan” translations and entries guatemalteco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries guatemalteco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
