What does it mean word for word?
The phrase comida chatarra literally translates to "junk food", where comida means food and chatarra means junk or scrap metal.
Which one should you use?
While comida chatarra specifically means "junk food", more formal or descriptive alternatives include comida no saludable and comida poco saludable. To specifically refer to the plural "unhealthy foods", use alimentos no saludables.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Comida chatarra and comida basura are informal ways to refer to unhealthy food, similar to the English term "junk food". In contrast, comida no saludable, comida poco saludable and alimentos no saludables are more formal options.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Comida chatarra is used in Latin America and some parts of Spain. Comida basura is also used as an informal way to say "unhealthy food".
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple types of junk food, you can pluralize the first noun to create comidas chatarra.
How do you pronounce it?
/koˌmida tʃaˈtara/
Did you know?
- The word chatarra actually has roots in the Basque language, coming from the word txatarra, which means 'something old'.
- The word chatarra refers specifically to scrap metal in a non-food context.
- In some regions, calling food chatarra describes its 'scrap' status or low quality rather than just its lack of vitamins.
Examples in context
- Esta conferencia se enfocará en los peligros de la comida no saludable.This conference will focus on the dangers of unhealthy food.
- Nuestro objetivo es concienciar a la población sobre los efectos negativos de los alimentos no saludables.Our goal is to raise awareness among the population about the negative effects of unhealthy foods.
- Después de comer tanta comida chatarra, me siento mal.After eating so much junk food, I feel sick.
- Creo que deberíamos dejar de comer tanta comida basura por nuestra salud.I think we should stop eating so much junk food for our health.
- No quiero comer tanta comida chatarra.I don't want to eat so much unhealthy food.
- La comida chatarra es muy cara aquí.Unhealthy food is very expensive here.
- Debemos evitar la comida chatarra.We should avoid unhealthy food.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are deciding what to order for dinner.
- Mateo¿Pedimos pizza o algo más sano?Should we order pizza or something healthier?
- MaríaPrefiero evitar la comida chatarra hoy.I prefer to avoid unhealthy food today.
- MateoTienes razón, María.You are right, María.
- MaríaComamos una ensalada fresca.Let's eat a fresh salad.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry comida chatarra, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chatarra, comida, comida chatarra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
