Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gallina | /ɡaˈʝina/ | feminine, masculine |
| baldragas | /balˈdɾaɡas/ | masculine |
| pelele | /peˈlele/ | masculine |
The term is used to describe someone who lacks confidence. While calling someone a gallina is often used in a teasing or mocking way among friends regarding their fear, the more direct and standard term for a coward is cobarde.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, gallina means hen, used metaphorically to imply someone is cowardly.
Which one should you use?
gallina implies cowardice, whereas pelele implies a person who is easily manipulated or has no backbone. baldragas is also a masculine term for a wimp.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term apichonado is used to mean wimp.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word gallina is used as a noun for both males and females, though it is grammatically a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡaˈʝina/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the slang term Maricón/a to refer to a wimp. While it is used in some regions to refer to someone as a wimp, it is highly offensive.
Did you know?
- The term baldragas may have roots in Arabic, specifically from words related to being 'cut off' or 'useless'.
- While gallina means 'hen', calling someone a gallina is a universal metaphor for cowardice across many different Spanish-speaking regions.
- Although gallina is a grammatically feminine noun, it is used to call both men and women wimps without changing the gender of the word.
Examples in context
- Tom es un pelele.Tom is a wimp.This sentence shows how to use pelele to describe someone as a wimp.Tatoeba #1491949 by hayastan, translation #1167527 by CK
- El niño se esconde debajo de la cama. Es un cobarde.The boy hides under the bed, he's a wimp.
- No seas timorato y defiende tu opinión.Don't be a wimp and defend your opinion.
- Ignoré los comentarios de los pusilánimes y seguí adelante.I ignored the wimps' comments and kept going.
- No seas una gallina y salta.Don't be a wimp and jump.
- Ese chico es un gallina total.That boy is a total wimp.
Example conversation
Two friends are standing at the edge of a swimming pool.
- Elena¿Vas a saltar al agua?Are you going to jump into the water?
- AlejandroNo, tengo miedo.No, I am afraid.
- Elena¡No seas una gallina, Alejandro!Don't be a wimp, Alejandro!
- AlejandroEs que el agua está muy fría.It's just that the water is very cold.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wimp” translations and entries gallina, baldragas, pelele, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baldragas, gallina, pelele, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
