There is a rumor going around the office about the boss.
Ese chisme empezó como una broma y terminó mal.
That rumor started as a joke and ended badly.
Se armó un chisme enorme en la reunión.
A huge mess broke out at the meeting.
Mi tía siempre sabe el chisme del barrio.
My aunt always knows the neighborhood gossip.
Similar words
lío
rumor
bochinche
alboroto
enredo
artefacto
cosa
cacharro
habladuría
aparato
Meanings
Gossip or rumor
noun
conversation
informal
Informal talk about someone, often private, sensational, or not confirmed.
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.
Similar words
rumor
habladuría
cotilleo
chismorreo
bochinche
murmuración
Thing or gadget
noun
objects
informal
A small object, gadget, or bit of junk whose exact name is not important or not known.
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.
Similar words
cacharro
trasto
artefacto
aparato
baratija
cosa
Fuss or commotion
noun
social
informal
A fuss, mess, or noisy social disturbance in some informal American Spanish uses.
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.
Similar words
lío
alboroto
bochinche
escándalo
jaleo
enredo
Etymology
Of uncertain origin. The word is old in Spanish and has developed both social and small-object senses.
FAQ
What does chisme mean?
Chisme usually means gossip, rumor, or private talk spread informally.
Can chisme mean a thing?
Yes. Chisme can also mean a small object, gadget, or thing whose exact name is not important.
Is chisme always false?
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.
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
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Midnight Beaver
Jul 12
give me the chisme is basically give me the tea, very satisfying translation
1
Reply
Spry Raccoon
Jul 11
my aunt says no soy chismosa, soy informada, and then tells everything
0
Reply
Trusty Pangolin
Jul 3
I learned the object meaning late and it confused me so bad. why is the screwdriver gossip??
1
Reply
Soft Raccoon
Jul 3
esta palabra es puro grupo de whatsapp de familia
0
Reply
Placid Gopher
Jul 1
fofoca in Brazilian Portuguese is the word my brain reaches for here, not rumor
1
Reply
Witty Owl
Jun 28
chismecito makes every scandal sound smaller than it is lol
2
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Contribution
Quick Bobcat
Jun 26
The little-object meaning is not only for fancy gadgets. My Spanish teacher used it for the plastic bit on a window blind, the cable thing, any small object whose name nobody wanted to remember.
4
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Smoky Sloth
Jun 23
Te tengo un chisme is a whole opener by itself. In English it is closer to have I got something to tell you than to I have a rumor.
6
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Contribution
Dashing Okapi
Jun 23
chismoso is stronger than chisme imo. Someone can say quiero el chisme and sound normal, but eres un chismoso can land like an insult unless you are joking with friends.
3
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Contribution
Perky Pony
Jun 19
In Spain I hear cotilleo/cotillear more for the gossip sense. Chisme is understood, but in my flat it was more often the random object: pasame ese chisme de ahi.
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Contribution
Mossy Wren
Jun 17
For English learners, dont translate un chisme as a gossip unless you mean a gossipy person. The thing you tell someone is a piece of gossip, some gossip, or just tea if the tone is casual
7
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Contribution
Spry Gazelle
Jun 15
In Mexico echar el chisme can be softer than it sounds in English. It can mean sitting around talking, catching up, maybe gossiping a little, not necessarily attacking someone.