Spanish Conversation · Level 141
43 words
Spanish word
charlatán
Pronunciation
IPA/tʃaɾlaˈtan/
Meaning
- masculine nouncharlatan
Example
El supuesto curandero era un charlatán.
The supposed healer was a charlatan.
More examples
No confíes en un charlatán que promete curas rápidas.
Don't trust a charlatan who promises quick cures.
Core concept
Quack or mountebank who persuades by charm and patter.
Common phrases
un charlatán
a charlatan
ser un charlatán
be a charlatan
un charlatán de feria
a carnival charlatan
Similar words
estafador: Plans and executes deliberate financial scams to steal money.
timador: Uses clever tricks and short cons to cheat people out of money.
farsante: Poses as someone with false identity or skills to deceive others.
mentiroso: Tells lies to mislead or deceive people.
Definition in Spanish
Persona que usa palabras, halagos o pruebas falsas para convencer a otros y sacarles beneficio.
Word origin
Borrowed from Italian ciarlatano (ciarlare 'to chatter') via medieval French, originally referring to mountebanks who trick by talking.
Usage tips
- Compared with estafador, charlatán emphasizes persuasive speech and showmanship rather than technical fraud, and the feminine form is charlatana.
Other meanings
- con artistnoun
- quacknoun
Opposites
- expertoexpertnoun
- profesionalprofessionalnoun
Related words
- charlataneríacharlatanrynoun
- charlatanismocharlatanismnoun
- charlatanescocharlatan-likeadjective