chisme
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gossip, rumor, thing, gadget, fuss
/ˈtʃisme/
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A piece of gossip or rumor, a small unnamed thing or gadget, and in some regional use a fuss or commotion.
Examples
No sé para qué sirve este chisme.
I do not know what this gadget is for.
Bajemos la voz para no formar más chisme.
Let us lower our voices so we do not create more fuss.
El chisme de la fiesta terminó con todos molestos.
The mess at the party ended with everyone upset.
Trajo un chisme pequeño para abrir botellas.
He brought a small gadget to open bottles.
No hagas chisme por una tontería.
Do not make a fuss over something silly.
Similar words
aparato
chismorreo
enredo
alboroto
bochinche
habladuría
escándalo
artefacto
jaleo
rumor
Meanings
Usage
Use chisme for gossip or a rumor when the talk is informal and may not be verified.
Examples
No repitas ese chisme sin saber si es cierto.
Do not repeat that gossip without knowing if it is true.
El chisme sobre la boda llegó a toda la familia.
The gossip about the wedding reached the whole family.
En la oficina corre un chisme sobre el jefe.
There is a rumor going around the office about the boss.
Mi tía siempre sabe el chisme del barrio.
My aunt always knows the neighborhood gossip.
Ese chisme empezó como una broma y terminó mal.
That rumor started as a joke and ended badly.
Common mistakes
A rumor is treated as confirmed fact, but chisme often implies uncertainty or private talk.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Ese chisme está verificado por documentos.
| Esa información está verificada por documentos.
|
| No repitas esa chisme.
| No repitas ese chisme.
|
| El chisme es siempre una noticia oficial.
| El chisme suele ser informal y no siempre está comprobado.
|
Similar words
rumor
habladuría
cotilleo
chismorreo
bochinche
murmuración
Usage
Use chisme for a thing or gadget when the object is minor, vague, or not worth naming precisely.
Examples
Guarda ese chisme en el cajón.
Put that thingamajig in the drawer.
No sé para qué sirve este chisme.
I do not know what this gadget is for.
Trajo un chisme pequeño para abrir botellas.
He brought a small gadget to open bottles.
El taller estaba lleno de cables y chismes viejos.
The workshop was full of cables and old bits and pieces.
Compré un chisme barato para sujetar el teléfono.
I bought a cheap gadget to hold the phone.
Common mistakes
The object sense is confused with gossip unless the context names drawers, tools, or things.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Dame esa chisme del cajón.
| Dame ese chisme del cajón.
|
| El chisme del cajón era un rumor.
| El chisme del cajón era un objeto pequeño.
|
| Compré un chisme muy importante y oficial.
| Compré un chisme barato para arreglarlo.
|
Similar words
cacharro
trasto
artefacto
aparato
baratija
cosa
Usage
Use chisme for a fuss or commotion only where that regional informal sense is natural.
Examples
No hagas chisme por una tontería.
Do not make a fuss over something silly.
Se armó un chisme enorme en la reunión.
A huge mess broke out at the meeting.
Ese chisme empezó cuando nadie quiso ceder.
That commotion began when no one wanted to give in.
Bajemos la voz para no formar más chisme.
Let us lower our voices so we do not create more fuss.
El chisme de la fiesta terminó con todos molestos.
The mess at the party ended with everyone upset.
Common mistakes
The commotion sense is regional and should not replace the main gossip sense everywhere.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Hicieron chisme porque todo estaba tranquilo.
| Hicieron chisme porque empezó un lío.
|
| No hagas esa chisme.
| No hagas ese chisme.
|
| El chisme de la reunión fue una noticia secreta.
| El chisme de la reunión fue un alboroto.
|
Similar words
lío
alboroto
bochinche
escándalo
jaleo
enredo
Usage
Read the context: people and private information point to gossip, drawers or gadgets to an object, and arguments to a fuss.
Common mistakes
Chisme is treated as confirmed news, but it often means unverified talk, and it can also name a small object or regional commotion.
Etymology
Of uncertain origin. The word is old in Spanish and has developed both social and small-object senses.
FAQ
Chisme usually means gossip, rumor, or private talk spread informally.
Yes. Chisme can also mean a small object, gadget, or thing whose exact name is not important.
No. A chisme may be true or false, but it is usually informal and not treated as verified news.
What is the difference between chisme and rumor?
Rumor is broader, while chisme often feels more personal, juicy, or socially shared.
What words are related to chisme?
Related words include chismear, to gossip, and chismoso, a gossipy person.
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