Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| barraca | /baˈraka/ | feminine |
| cambuche | /kamˈbut͡ʃe/ | Colombia, masculine |
| casa bruja | /kasa bɾuxa/ (from spelling rules) | Panama, masculine |
| chabola | /t͡ʃaˈbola/ | Spain, feminine |
| champa | /ˈt͡ʃampa/ | El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, feminine |
| jacal | /xaˈkal/ | Mexico, masculine |
| tugurio | /tuˈɡuɾjo/ | Costa Rica, masculine |
| timberiche | /timbeɾit͡ʃe/ (from spelling rules) | Puerto Rico, masculine |
These terms all refer to a crude hut or a makeshift dwelling. If you are specifically describing a temporary shack located by the sea, you can use choza playera or cabaña de playa. Additionally, refugio can be used as a synonym for a hut or cabin.
Which one should you use?
While barraca is the default form, other words are used depending on the specific region or desired level of informality. For example, chabola refers specifically to a shanty or a makeshift dwelling.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Spanish speakers use different words for a shack depending on their location: cambuche is used in Colombia, casa bruja in Panama, champa in El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua, jacal in Mexico, tugurio in Costa Rica, timberiche in Puerto Rico and chabola in Spain.
How does it change in a sentence?
The default form barraca is a feminine noun. The masculine forms include cambuche, casa bruja, jacal, tugurio and timberiche, while the feminine forms include barraca and champa.
How do you pronounce it?
/baˈraka/
Did you know?
- The word bruja in the Panamanian term casa bruja may stem from the Proto-Celtic word brixtā, which meant 'spell' or 'magic'.
- In some regions, calling a place a tugurio is a common way to describe a dirty or dilapidated bar or restaurant rather than a home.
- While barraca means 'shack', in some contexts in Spain it can refer to a large temporary tent or structure used for festivals and fairs.
Examples in context
- ¿Estás usando esta chabola como casa?Are you using this shack as a house?This sentence is useful for asking if a certain building is being used as a residence with chabola.Tatoeba #6097928 by albrusgher, translation #1224060 by Ketutar
- Tom pasó la noche en una vieja chabola de caza.Tom spent the night in an old hunting shack.This sentence describes a person spending the night in a hunting shack with chabola.Tatoeba #6097929 by albrusgher, translation #1092886 by CK
- Quiero mi propia casa, aunque solo sea una chabola.I want my own house, even if it's a shack.This sentence expresses a desire for a real house even if it is only a shack with chabola.Tatoeba #6097930 by albrusgher, translation #327502 by CM
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are walking through a rural field.
- Elena¿Ves esa barraca al fondo?Do you see that shack in the distance?
- MateoSí, parece que está muy vieja.Yes, it looks very old.
- ElenaNo creo que nadie viva en ella.I don't think anyone lives in it.
- MateoTienes razón, Elena, es muy pequeña.You are right, Elena, it is very small.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shack” translations and entries barraca, cambuche, chabola, champa, jacal, tugurio, 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 barraca, bruja, casa, chabola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
