metiche
/meˈtit͡ʃe/
The Spanish word for nosey is metiche.
Metiche is used to describe a person who interferes in other people's private affairs or meddles in their business.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Metiche is an informal term used commonly in casual conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Metiche is used in various Latin American countries to describe someone who meddles in other people's business. In Spain, the term Cotilla is commonly used to refer to someone who is a gossip or excessively curious about others. In some Latin American countries, such as Colombia or Venezuela, the word Caliente can be used figuratively to describe someone who is nosy or gossipy.
How does it change in a sentence?
Metiche is an adjective, but it can also function as a noun to mean 'a nosey person'.
How do you pronounce it?
/meˈtitʃe/
Did you know?
- Someone who is metiche is often associated with the phrase meter las narices, which means 'to put in one's nostrils', mirroring the English 'stick your nose in'.
- The word metiche comes from the verb meter, which means 'to put in' or 'to insert'. It literally describes someone who 'inserts' themselves into situations where they do not belong.
- A person who is 'metiche' might also be called a curioso, but while 'curious' is neutral in English, calling someone a curioso in Spanish can be a very sarcastic way to call them a nosy person.
Examples in context
- Deja de ser metiche.Stop being nosey.This sentence is useful for telling someone to stop being nosey using metiche.Tatoeba #3277624 by marcelostockle, translation #3160056 by Hybrid
- Esa persona es bastante curiosa y entrometida en los asuntos ajenosThat person is quite curious and meddlesome in other people's affairs
- No seas metiche y deja de hablar de los demásDon't be nosy and stop talking about others
- Tu vecino es muy metiche.Your neighbor is very nosey.
- No seas tan metiche con mi vida.Don't be so nosey with my life.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about a neighbor.
- MateoSofía, ¿viste que el vecino miraba por la ventana?Sofía, did you see that the neighbor was looking through the window?
- SofíaSí, ese hombre es un metiche.Yes, that man is a nosey person.
- MateoÉl siempre quiere saberlo todo.He always wants to know everything.
- SofíaEs muy molesto.He is very annoying.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry metiche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
