Spanish word

chupatintas

Pronunciation

IPA/tʃupaˈtintas/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)rubber-stamper

Example

El chupatintas selló todos los papeles sin leerlos.

The rubber-stamper stamped all the papers without reading them.

Illustration for chupatintas (rubber-stamper)

More examples

Aunque lo describan como chupatintas, propuso ideas para mejorar el trámite.

Although he is described as a rubber-stamper, he proposed ideas to improve the procedure.

Core concept

An office clerk mechanically stamping forms without reading them.

Common phrases

  • tener fama de chupatintas

    have a reputation as a rubber-stamper

  • ser considerado un chupatintas

    be considered a rubber-stamper

Similar words

burócrata: Bureaucrat who emphasizes procedure and paperwork over practical results.
funcionario: Civil servant employed by a public institution to perform official tasks.

Definition in Spanish

Término coloquial y peyorativo para un funcionario o empleado que se ocupa principalmente del papeleo, sellos y trámites sin tomar decisiones importantes.

Word origin

Literally formed from chupar 'to suck' and tinta 'ink', the word evokes repeatedly applying ink stamps and thus describes a mindless paperwork handler.

Usage tips

  • Common as a joking insult among coworkers, but when applied to a named person or in political criticism it is often taken as an attack.

Other meanings

  • paper pushernoun
  • clerknoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word