chatarra
/t͡ʃaˈtara/feminine
In Spanish, junk is chatarra. Wiktionary also lists basura and cachureo.
Meaning: miscellaneous items of little value (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chatarra | /t͡ʃaˈtara/ | feminine |
| basura | /baˈsuɾa/ | feminine |
| cachureo | /kat͡ʃuɾeo/ (from spelling rules) | Chile, masculine |
To express the specific concept of junk food, Spanish speakers typically use the compound noun phrases comida basura or comida chatarra.
Which one should you use?
While chatarra literally refers to scrap metal or junk, it is frequently used as a synonym for junk food in certain dialects, such as in Mexico.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile, the masculine noun cachureo is used colloquially to refer to a collection of miscellaneous junk or clutter. In Peru, the term cachureos is also used to refer to junk.
How does it change in a sentence?
Chatarra is a feminine noun, so any accompanying adjectives must also be feminine, such as la chatarra vieja.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃaˈtara/
Did you know?
- While many people associate the word chatarra with trash, its roots are actually found in the Basque word txatarra, meaning 'something old'.
- In Chile, the word cachureo is used not just for junk but can describe a hobbyist's collection of oddments or a flea market atmosphere.
- Spanish uses the same word basura for both 'junk' and 'garbage', whereas English often distinguishes between unwanted items and actual waste.
Examples in context
- Me gusta la comida basura.I like junk food.This sentence shows how to use basura in the context of junk food.Tatoeba #9177188 by ecorralest101, translation #3732642 by CK
- Comes mucha comida chatarra.You eat too much junk food.This sentence shows how to use chatarra in the context of junk food.Tatoeba #5045625 by don_ramon, translation #5045081 by CK
- Deja de comer comida basura.Stop eating junk food.Tatoeba #11760114 by Seael, translation #11760108 by CK
- La habitación está llena de basuraThe room is full of junk
- Debemos desechar estos desechos correctamenteWe must dispose of this junk properly
- No compres ese auto, es pura chatarraDon't buy that car, it's pure junk
- No quiero estos trastos. Necesito liberar espacioI don't want this junk. I need to make space
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofia are cleaning out the garage.
- MateoTengo mucha chatarra en este rincón.I have a lot of junk in this corner.
- SofíaPodemos vender esa chatarra por dinero.We can sell that junk for money.
- MateoTienes razón, Sofía, vamos a llevarla.You are right, Sofia, let's take it.
- SofíaPerfecto, Mateo, limpiemos todo hoy.Perfect, Mateo, let's clean everything today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “junk” translations and entries chatarra, basura, cachureo, 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 basura, chatarra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
