Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chupete | /t͡ʃuˈpete/ | masculine |
| chupa | /ˈt͡ʃupa/ | Venezuela, feminine |
| chupón | /t͡ʃuˈpon/ | Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, masculine |
| chupadero | /t͡ʃupadeɾo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| chupador | /t͡ʃupaˈdoɾ/ | masculine |
| mamadera | /mamaˈdeɾa/ | feminine |
The term refers to a device used for a baby. While several words exist, a common colloquial term used across many different Spanish-speaking regions is chupo. In some contexts, specifically in Mexico and parts of Central America, the informal term mamila can refer to both a baby bottle and a pacifier.
Which one should you use?
chupón is the most common term used in Mexico and several other Latin American countries. In Venezuela, the colloquial term chupa is used. The word mamila is an informal option in Mexico and parts of Central America that can mean either a bottle or a pacifier. The term mamadera is a feminine noun. chupadero and chupador are also masculine forms that exist for this object.
Is it said differently in some regions?
chupón is used in Mexico, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. In Venezuela, you will also hear the colloquial feminine term chupa.
How does it change in a sentence?
chupete and chupón are masculine nouns. chupa and mamadera are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃuˈpete/
Did you know?
- The word chupón uses the suffix -ón, which usually denotes something large, even though a pacifier is a small object.
- The word chupete uses the suffix -ete, which often creates a diminutive or a word for a small object in Spanish.
- Most of these terms, such as chupete and chupón, are built from the verb chupar, which means 'to suck'.
Examples in context
- Necesito un chupón para mi bebé.I need a pacifier for my baby.This sentence shows how to express needing a pacifier for a baby using chupón.Tatoeba #11062867 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10910351 by CM
- Tom andaba por el campus con un chupón.Tom walked around campus with a pacifier.This sentence illustrates a person carrying a pacifier using chupón.Tatoeba #10308043 by DJ_Saidez, translation #9345542 by DJ_Saidez
- Dale su chupa al bebé si no quieres que llore más.Give the baby his pacifier if you don't want him to keep crying.This sentence shows how to suggest giving a pacifier to a baby to stop them crying using chupa.
- No olvides llevar el chupo del bebé antes de salir.Don't forget to bring the baby's pacifier before you leave.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are preparing the baby's bag for a walk.
- AlejandroMaría, ¿tienes el chupete?María, do you have the pacifier?
- MaríaSí, lo tengo en mi bolso.Yes, I have it in my bag.
- AlejandroPerfecto, el bebé lo necesita.Perfect, the baby needs it.
- MaríaSe lo daré ahora mismo.I will give it to him right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pacifier” translations and entries chupete, chupa, chupón, chupador, mamadera, 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 chupa, chupete, chupón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
