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"Soplón" is a noun which is often translated as "informer", and "chivato" is a noun which is also often translated as "informer". Learn more about the difference between "soplón" and "chivato" below.
el soplón, la soplona(
soh
-
plohn
)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. (colloquial) (informant)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. informer
El soplón ingresó en el programa de protección de testigos a cambio de delatar al capo.The informer was entered into the witness protection program in exchange for informing on the capo.
b. snitch (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Isaac decidió abandonar el país tras ser acusado de ser un soplón por un capo.Isaac had to leave the country after being accused of being a snitch by a mafia boss.
c. rat (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Si descubro que uno de ustedes es un soplón, ¡lo mato!If I find out one of you is a rat, you're dead!
d. grass (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Jefe, hemos descubierto quién es el soplón que le anda contando todo a la policía.Boss, we've found out who the grass is that's been telling everything to the police.
2. (colloquial) (someone who tells tales)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. tattletale (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Fede es el soplón que le dijo al profesor que copiamos en el examen.Fede is the tattletale who told the teacher we cheated on the exam.
b. telltale (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Luis cree que soy un soplón, pero te juro que yo no lo dije a mamá que había mentido.Luis thinks I'm a telltale, but I swear I didn't tell Mum that he had lied.
a. prompter
La soplona supo que había olvidado lo que me tocaba decir, y me dijo las próximas palabras.The prompter could tell that I had forgotten my line, and she told me the next few words.
el chivato, la chivata(
chee
-
bah
-
toh
)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. (colloquial) (squealer)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. informer
La policía tiene un chivato en la mafia italiana que les pasa información.The police have an informer in the Italian Mafia who passes them information.
b. snitch (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Los gángsters no muestran compasión por los chivatos ni los traidores.The mobsters show no mercy to snitches or traitors.
c. rat (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
"Si me entero de que alguno de ustedes es un chivato, terminará en el fondo del río", dijo el capo."If I find out one of you is a rat, you'll end up at the bottom of the river," said the capo.
d. stool pigeon (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
El chivato les reveló la identidad del asesino a sueldo a los detectives.The stool pigeon revealed the name of the hitman to the detectives.
e. grass (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
El chivato nos contó que el próximo robo será en el banco que queda junto al museo.The grass told us the next robbery will be committed at the bank next to the museum.
2. (colloquial) (someone who tells tales)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. tattletale (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
¡Señorita López, Eugenio está copiando mi examen! - ¡Cállate, chivato!Miss Lopez, Eugenio is copying my answers! - Shut up, tattletale!
b. telltale (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Francisco es un chivato y va a decir la verdad: que nosotros dos rompimos el televisor.Francisco is a telltale and will tell the truth: that it was us two who broke the television.
a. apprentice
El maestro le enseñó al chivato a meditar.The master taught the apprentice how to meditate.
4. (colloquial) (naughty child) (South America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
a. rascal
¡Tu hijo es un chivato! Me rompió la ventana con su pelota a propósito.Your son is a rascal! He broke my window with his ball on purpose.
5. (colloquial) (prominent person) (Venezuela)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Venezuela
a. big shot (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Emanuel pretende que es un chivato en la empresa, pero no es más que un empleado administrativo.Emanuel pretends to be a big shot in the company, but he's just a mere clerk.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. indicator
El chivato está titilando. Nos estamos quedando sin combustible.The indicator is flickering. We are running low on fuel.
a. pilot light
Sabíamos que nos cortaron el gas porque el chivato ya no estaba encendido.We knew our gas was cut off because the pilot light was no longer on.
a. beeper
Por favor, durante la reunión mantengan sus celulares y chivatos apagados.Please turn your cellphones and beepers off during the meeting.
b. pager
El cirujano leyó el mensaje que recibió en su chivato y se fue rápido al hospital.The surgeon looked at the message on his pager and rushed to the hospital.
a. billy goat
El chivato que estaba pastando comenzó a balar.The billy goat that was grazing started to bleat.
a. cheap liquor
Víctor gastó las monedas que tenía en chivato y vino.Victor spent his coins on cheap liquor and wine.
b. firewater
La última vez que me emborraché con chivato vomité.The last time I got drunk with firewater I puked.
11. (extremely offensive) (homosexual man) (Peru)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
Regionalism used in Peru
a. fag (extremely offensive) (United States)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
Regionalism used in the United States
b. poof (extremely offensive) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is gravely offensive and taboo in all contexts.
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
