chivatear
/t͡ʃibateˈaɾ/
To snitch in Spanish is chivatear. If unsure, use chivatear. Wiktionary also lists delatar.
Meaning: inform on (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| chivatear | /t͡ʃibateˈaɾ/ |
| delatar | /delaˈtaɾ/ |
The verb chivatear refers to the act of snitching or tattling. You can also use the related nouns chivato, soplón or delator to describe someone who informs on others or betrays their group.
Which one should you use?
The verb chivatear is a colloquial way to say snitch or tattle, typically used within social or peer-group contexts. In contrast, delatar is a more formal or legalistic term used when reporting a crime or a person's identity to authorities.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For the act of snitching, chivatear is informal. For the person who does it, chivato is an informal noun, while soplón/soplona is used as slang to describe someone who tattles. If you need a formal term for a person who snitches, use delator or informante.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃibateˈaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word chivato comes from chiva, which means 'goat'. In some cultures, goats are seen as noisy animals that give away a position.
- The word soplón can also refer to a bellows used in a forge, which is why the term for 'snitch' is associated with air and blowing.
- The verb delatar is a direct cognate of the rare Scottish English word 'delate', meaning they share the same Latin root.
Examples in context
- No le cuentes a Juanita, ella es una boca floja.Don't tell Juanita, she's a loose-lipped person.
- No chivates lo que pasó.Don't snitch on what happened.
- No deberías chivatear a tus amigos.You shouldn't snitch on your friends.
- Él siempre quiere chivatear a todo el mundo.He always wants to snitch on everyone.
- Si vas a chivatear, hazlo con cuidado.If you are going to snitch, do it carefully.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a secret.
- AlejandroNo digas nada sobre la fiesta.Don't say anything about the party.
- LucíaNo te preocupes, no voy a chivatear.Don't worry, I'm not going to snitch.
- AlejandroGracias, Lucía. Confío en ti.Thanks, Lucía. I trust you.
- LucíaTu secreto está a salvo conmigo.Your secret is safe with me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “snitch” translations and entries chivatear, delatar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chivatear, delatar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
