vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Gringo" is a noun which is often translated as "gringo", and "gabacho" is an adjective which is often translated as "French". Learn more about the difference between "gringo" and "gabacho" below.
el gringo, la gringa(
green
-
goh
)This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
1. (pejorative) (non-native person)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
a. gringo (pejorative)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Desde que el vecindario se volvió peligroso, no he visto gringos por la zona.I haven't seen any gringos in the area since the neighborhood became dangerous.
b. foreigner (from a non-Spanish-speaking country)
La policía se llevó a un par de gringos que estaban armando bronca en un bar.The police arrested a couple of foreigners who'd been causing trouble in a bar.
c. Yankee (pejorative) (from the USA)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
La ciudad está llena de gringos que vienen de los Estados Unidos a vacacionar en nuestras playas.The town is full of Yankees who've come over here from the States for a beach vacation.
d. Yank (pejorative) (from the USA)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Esperamos que estos gringos paguen la cuenta con dólares.Let's hope those Yanks pay their bill in dollars.
e. North American
A los gringos que vienen aquí de Washington o Nueva York les encanta el ambiente latino.The North Americans who come here from Washington or New York just love the Latin atmosphere.
a. blond man (masculine)
Un gringo muy guapo de ojos azules me pidió direcciones.A very handsome blond man with blue eyes asked me for directions.
b. blonde woman (feminine)
Te apuesto a que esta gringa se tiñe el pelo.I bet that blonde woman dyes her hair.
c. blonde (feminine)
No sé por qué te gustan tanto las gringas. Yo prefiero las morenas.I don't know why you like blondes so much. I prefer brunettes myself.
d. fair-haired man (masculine)
¿Me puedes dar una mejor descripción del gringo que te robó el celular?Can you give me a better description of the fair-haired man who stole your cell?
e. fair-haired woman (feminine)
Es muy normal ver gringas en los países del norte de Europa.You often see fair-haired women in Northern European countries.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
3. (pejorative) (foreign)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
a. gringo (pejorative)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Los turistas gringos disfrutan visitando las ruinas aztecas y los mercados tradicionales.Gringo tourists love visiting Aztec ruins and going to traditional markets.
b. Yankee (pejorative) (from the USA)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Varias empresas gringas están intentando negociar para poner una cadena de restaurantes en el país.Several Yankee companies are in negotiations to open a chain of restaurants in the country.
c. Yank (pejorative) (from the USA)
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Claro que estos chicos son gringos. Mira la matrícula de Luisiana.Of course those guys are Yanks. Look at the Louisiana license plate.
d. North American (from the USA)
Nuestro jefe gringo se va de vacaciones un mes a Florida.Our North American manager is going to Florida on vacation for a month.
a. fair-haired
Dicen que las modelos gringas ganan más que nosotras.They say that fair-haired models earm more than we do.
b. blond (masculine)
Mi amiga se vuelve loca cuando ve a un chico gringo y alto.My friend goes crazy when she sees a tall blond guy.
c. blonde (feminine)
En la película, un estudiante brasileño se enamora de su profesora de francés gringa y guapa.In the movie, a Brazilian student falls in love with his beautiful, blonde French teacher.
la gringa
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. gringa
Las gringas de esta taquería son las más deliciosas del DF.The gringas they make at this taqueria are the best in Mexico City.
gabacho(
gah
-
bah
-
choh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (colloquial) (pejorative) (from France)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
a. French
Tengo una vecina gabacha que escucha Edith Piaf a todo volumen a diario.I have a French neighbor who listens to Edith Piaf really loud every day.
b. froggy (colloquial) (pejorative)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Tu amiga gabacha nos podría enseñar francés gratis, ¿no?Your froggy friend could teach us French for free, right?
a. Pyrenean
Pilar nació en un pueblo gabacho que está en plena montaña.Pilar was born in a Pyrenean village that is in the middle of the mountains.
3. (colloquial) (pejorative) (from the United States) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. American
¿Para qué comprar productos gabachos si tenemos estos otros fabricados en México?Why should we buy American products when we have these ones made in Mexico?
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
4. (colloquial) (pejorative) (person from France)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
a. French person
¿Conoces a algún gabacho que me pueda decir qué significan estas frases en francés?Do you know a French person who can tell me what these sentences mean in French?
c. Frog (colloquial) (pejorative)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Los gabachos tienen fama de arrogantes pero no conozco a ninguno para juzgar.Frogs are said to be cocky, but I don't know any, so I can't judge.
5. (colloquial) (pejorative) (person from the United States) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
An offensive word or phrase used to degrade a person or group of people based on race, gender, sexual preference, etc. (e.g., redneck).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. American
Laura no soporta a los gabachos que digan que se creen mejores que ella.Laura can't stand Americans that say that they think they are better than her.
