chillido
/t͡ʃiˈʝido/
The English word 'squeak' is translated into Spanish as chillido.
Chillido refers to a short, high-pitched sound. While it can mean a squeak, it is more commonly used to describe a high-pitched shriek or scream from a person or an animal.
Meaning: short, high-pitched sound (noun)
Which one should you use?
If you are describing a mechanical squeak, such as from a door hinge or a floorboard, the noun chirrido is often more precise than chillido. Additionally, crujido primarily means 'creak' but can refer to a squeaky sound in some contexts, specifically for objects under pressure. For verbs, you can use rechinar, chirrear or chirriar to mean 'emit sound'. Specifically, rechinar is the preferred verb for the sound of teeth grinding or the squeaking of brakes.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, people may use the word chirrido interchangeably with rechinar.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The terms chirriar and chirripear can be used as onomatopoeic words to recreate the sound of a squeak.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃiˈʝido/
Did you know?
- While chillido refers to a sound, the verb chillar is often used as a colloquial way to tell someone to stop complaining or whining in several Spanish-speaking countries.
- The verb rechinar is used both for the screech of brakes and for the sound of teeth grinding during sleep or stress.
- In some dialects, chillar is used to describe the sound of tires screeching during a car skid, moving the 'squeak' from a small sound to a loud, violent one.
Examples in context
- El viejo armario emitió un chirrido desagradable al abrirlo.The old wardrobe emitted an unpleasant squeak when opened.
- Los frenos del coche pueden rechinar y necesitan revisión.The car brakes can squeak and need to be checked.
- El ratón emitió un chillido antes de esconderse en la rendija.The mouse let out a squeak before hiding in the crack.
- El suelo crujió al caminar sobre él.The floor squeaked when walking on it.
- Escuché un chillido en la cocina.I heard a squeak in the kitchen.
- Ese chillido fue muy agudo.That squeak was very high-pitched.
- El ratón hizo un pequeño chillido.The mouse made a little squeak.
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are looking for a small mouse in the living room.
- Elena¿Escuchaste ese chillido?Did you hear that squeak?
- MateoSí, viene de detrás del sofá.Yes, it is coming from behind the sofa.
- ElenaParece un chillido de un ratón.It sounds like a mouse squeak.
- MateoEs un chillido muy débil.It is a very faint squeak.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry chillido, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
