Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| turista | /tuˈɾista/ | feminine, masculine |
| guiri | /ˈɡiɾi/ | feminine, masculine |
The term turista refers to someone who travels for pleasure. It can be used to refer to both male and female tourists without any distinction.
Which one should you use?
While turista is the standard neutral term, guiri is used colloquially to label someone as an outsider or a typical foreign tourist.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
turista is the standard neutral term. In contrast, guiri is an informal, often slightly mocking term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term guiri is a slang regional variation used in Spain to refer to foreign tourists, mainly from Northern European countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of turista is turistas.
How do you pronounce it?
/tuˈɾista/
When do people say it?
The word guiri is an informal, often slightly mocking term used to refer to tourists, particularly those from Northern Europe or North America.
Did you know?
- The term guiri originally referred to the liberal forces during the Spanish Carlist Wars who supported Queen Cristina.
- The phrase diarrea del turista is the common Spanish term for 'traveler's diarrhea'.
- While guiri is widely understood across Spain, you will rarely hear it used in Latin American countries to describe tourists.
Examples in context
- Yo soy una turista.I am a tourist.This sentence is useful for identifying yourself as a female tourist.Tatoeba #1168531 by Shishir, translation #514761 by CC
- Yo no soy un turista.I'm not a tourist.This sentence is useful for denying that you are a tourist.Tatoeba #11706975 by Seael, translation #2549059 by CK
- También soy un turista.I'm a tourist, too.This sentence is useful for stating that you are also a tourist.Tatoeba #1687469 by marcelostockle, translation #1578656 by CK
- ¿Puede indicarme dónde puedo encontrar información turística?Can you tell me where I can find tourist information?
- ¿Viste a los turistas que llegaron hoy? Parecen emocionados por explorar todo.Did you see the tourists who arrived today? They seem excited to explore everything.
- ¡Disfruta tu aventura como turista!Enjoy your adventure as a tourist!
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are walking in a crowded city center.
- AlejandroHay demasiada gente hoy, parecen todos turistas.There are too many people today, they all look like tourists.
- SofíaEs normal, Sofía es una turista en esta ciudad.It's normal, Sofía is a tourist in this city.
- Alejandro¿Sabes dónde está el museo para el turista?Do you know where the museum for the tourist is?
- SofíaSí, está justo a la vuelta de la esquina.Yes, it's right around the corner.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tourist” translations and entries turista, guiri, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries guiri, turista, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
