Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chorro | /ˈt͡ʃoro/ | |
| rata | /ˈrata/ | Mexico |
| loba | /ˈloba/ | Colombia |
These terms are used as slang to describe someone who lives in or is heavily associated with a rough, low-income or impoverished urban neighborhood.
Which one should you use?
While chorro is a general slang term, other forms are specific to certain countries: rata is used in Mexico and loba is used in Colombia to describe a woman associated with street culture.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
All provided forms are considered slang.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term rata is used to refer to someone from a low-income or rough neighborhood. In Colombia, the term loba is used to describe a woman associated with street culture or rough neighborhoods.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural of the Mexican slang rata, use ratas. For the Colombian term describing a woman, the plural of loba is lobas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃoro/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word chorro may have roots in the Romani language, specifically the word ćorro, meaning 'poor'.
- In Colombia, the term loba means 'she-wolf', turning a predatory animal into a label for a woman associated with street culture.
Example sentences for Spanish are not verified yet.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are talking about a new neighbor.
- DanielMira al nuevo vecino, parece un chorro.Look at the new neighbor, he looks like a hood rat.
- ElenaNo seas grosero, Daniel.Don't be rude, Daniel.
- DanielSolo digo que viste como un chorro.I'm just saying he dresses like a hood rat.
- ElenaDeja de juzgar a la gente.Stop judging people.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hood rat” translations and entries chorro, rata, loba, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chorro, loba, rata, CC BY-SA 4.0.
