chapuza

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odd job, casual job, small repair, botched job, shoddy work
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/t͡ʃaˈpusa/
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Work of limited value because it is minor, badly done, or dishonest.
Practice using chapuza in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Hace pequeñas chapuzas los fines de semana.
    He does small odd jobs at weekends.
  • Descubrieron la chapuza antes de transferir el dinero.
    They uncovered the scam before transferring the money.
  • No caigas en esa chapuza por internet.
    Do not fall for that online scam.
  • El vecino le ofreció una chapuza de pintura.
    The neighbour offered him a painting job.
  • La reparación fue una chapuza y volvió a romperse.
    The repair was a botched job and broke again.

Similar words

chapuz
chanfla
trabajo ocasional
estafa
fraude
timo
engaño
chambonada
trabajo esporádico
chapucería

Meanings

Do a small casual job

noun
work
informal
A small, occasional piece of work, often a minor repair or maintenance task rather than regular employment.

Examples

  • Le salió una chapuza para arreglar una persiana.
    He got an odd job fixing a blind.
  • Hace pequeñas chapuzas los fines de semana.
    He does small odd jobs at weekends.
  • El vecino le ofreció una chapuza de pintura.
    The neighbour offered him a painting job.
  • Aceptó una chapuza mientras buscaba empleo estable.
    She accepted an odd job while looking for steady employment.
  • Una chapuza de fontanería le ayudó a pagar el alquiler.
    A plumbing job helped him pay the rent.

Similar words

chapuz
trabajo ocasional
trabajo esporádico
ñapa

Produce shoddy work

noun
quality
informal
A piece of work done badly, carelessly, or without enough skill and attention.

Examples

  • La reparación fue una chapuza y volvió a romperse.
    The repair was a botched job and broke again.
  • Taparon la grieta con una chapuza provisional.
    They covered the crack with a temporary makeshift repair.
  • Ese cableado es una chapuza peligrosa.
    That wiring is a dangerous botch job.
  • El informe parece una chapuza hecha con prisas.
    The report looks like a rushed mess.
  • Tuvieron que rehacer la chapuza del contratista.
    They had to redo the contractor's shoddy work.

Similar words

chapucería
chapuz
churro
chambonada
chanfla

Commit a commercial fraud in Mexico

noun
fraud
informal
In Mexico, a fraud or deception used to gain an improper commercial advantage.

Examples

  • En México denunciaron la chapuza del falso vendedor.
    In Mexico they reported the fake seller's scam.
  • La oferta resultó ser una chapuza para quedarse con el anticipo.
    The offer turned out to be a scam to take the deposit.
  • No caigas en esa chapuza por internet.
    Do not fall for that online scam.
  • La supuesta inversión era una chapuza bien planeada.
    The supposed investment was a carefully planned fraud.
  • Descubrieron la chapuza antes de transferir el dinero.
    They uncovered the scam before transferring the money.

Similar words

estafa
fraude
timo
engaño

Etymology

From Spanish chapuz, a small or poorly executed job, ultimately linked to Old French chapuis, meaning a chopping block or cut of wood.

FAQ

What does chapuza mean?

Chapuza usually means a small casual job or a piece of work done badly. In Mexico it can also mean a commercial scam.

Is chapuza always negative?

No. The casual-job sense can be neutral, but the shoddy-work and Mexican fraud senses are negative.

What is the gender of chapuza?

Chapuza is feminine, so Spanish uses una chapuza and la chapuza.

What is the plural of chapuza?

The regular plural is chapuzas.

How do you say chapuza in English?

Depending on the sense, natural equivalents include odd job, botched job, shoddy work, and scam.

Where does chapuza come from?

Chapuza comes from chapuz, ultimately linked to Old French chapuis, a word associated with cutting wood.

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