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"Naco" is a form of "naco", an adjective which is often translated as "tacky". "Chaca" is a noun which is often translated as "heavy". Learn more about the difference between "naco" and "chaca" below.
naco(
nah
-
koh
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (pejorative) (slang) (tasteless or shabby) (Central America) (Mexico)
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 very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. tacky
¿Cómo ves esta playera? - Se me hace bien naca. Parece que la sacaste de la basura.What do you think of this T-shirt? - It looks really tacky to me. It looks you got it from a dumpster.
b. trashy
Ay, gente naca del mundo, ¿qué le cuesta tirar la basura en el bote en vez de la calle?Jeez, trashy people of the world, how hard is it to throw your trash in the garbage instead of the street?
c. crappy (slang) (United States)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in the United States
¡No te pases! Ese carro se ve bien naco; no tiene ni parabrisas.Holy crap! That car looks super crappy; it doesn't even have a windshield.
d. naff (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Quítate esas chanclas nacas y ponte unos zapatos de verdad.Take off those naff flip-flops and put on some real shoes.
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).
2. (pejorative) (slang) (person with no taste) (Central America) (Mexico)
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 very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Malditos nacos, no vengan al cine si se la van a pasar platicando.Freaking low-class people, don't go to the movies if you're going to talk the whole time.
¡Qué naco eres! - Más vale naco sabroso que fresa baboso.You're trash! - Better to be a fun-loving trashy person than a stupid snob.
b. chav (pejorative) (slang) (masculine) (United Kingdom)
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 very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El naco de enfrente volvió a estacionarse sobre la banqueta.That chav from across the street parked his car on the sidewalk again.
c. chavette (pejorative) (slang) (feminine) (United Kingdom)
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 very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Quieres ir a una fiesta de puras nacas? - No manches, güey. ¿Para qué?Do you want to go to a party full of chavettes? - Come on, mate. What for?
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. plug of tobacco
El abuelo se fue a la tienda a comprarse un naco.Grandpa went to the store to buy himself a plug of tobacco.
el chaca, la chaca(
chah
-
kah
)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. (slang) (important or powerful person) (Mexico)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. heavy (slang)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Yo no me metería con ese. Es un chaca de esta zona que tiene mucha influencia.I wouldn't mess with that guy; he's a heavy in this area who's got a lot of pull.
2. (slang) (tasteless person) (Mexico)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Los hijos de mis vecinos son unos chacas que siempre están haciendo mucho ruido en la calle.My neighbors' sons are a couple of wannabe gangsters who are always making a lot of noise on the street.
Esos chacas no son tan chingones como pretenden serlo. Se metieron con mi hermano, pero él les enseñó quién manda.Those posers try to act all badass, but they're not that tough. They messed with my brother, but he showed them what's what.
b. chav (slang) (masculine) (United Kingdom)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Vamos a ese bar? - No mames, güey, que está lleno de pinches chacas nomás.Should we go to that bar? - Are you taking the piss, mate? That place is full of nothing but bloody chavs.
c. chavette (slang) (feminine) (United Kingdom)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Vámonos antes de que llegue mi hermana con sus amigas. Son todas unas chacas.Let's get out of here before my sister arrives with all her friends. They're a bunch of chavettes.
