chivato
Spain, casual
In Spain a snitch is a chivato, and across Latin America you will also hear soplón. In Mexico buchón is a common word for someone who tells on others.
Meaning: person who tells on others (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| chivato | Spain, casual |
| Soplón | common, casual |
| Buchón | Mexico, slang |
All three words describe a person who reports others to a teacher, a boss or the police. They carry a negative tone.
Which one should you use?
Soplón is understood almost everywhere. Chivato sounds Spanish, and the matching verb is chivarse, to snitch.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Buchón is typical of Mexico, while Spain prefers chivato.
Did you know?
- The verb chivarse in Spain means to snitch, as in Se chivó al director.
Examples in context
- No le cuentes nada, es un chivato.Do not tell him anything, he is a snitch.
- Alguien fue de soplón con el profe.Somebody snitched to the teacher.
- No seas buchón.Do not be a snitch.
Example conversation
Marta and Luis talk in the schoolyard in Madrid.
- Marta¿Quién le dijo al profe lo del examen?Who told the teacher about the exam?
- LuisFue Pablo, es un chivato.It was Pablo, he is a snitch.
- MartaPues ya no le contamos nada.Then we will not tell him anything anymore.
