Spanish Conversation · Level 71
60 words
Spanish word
cotillear
Pronunciation
IPA/kotiʝeˈaɾ/
Meaning
- verbgossip
Example
No me gusta cotillear sobre los demás.
I dislike gossiping about other people.
More examples
¿Sueles cotillear con tus amigas?
Do you usually gossip with your female friends?
Core concept
A person listening to a rumor and passing it on to others.
Common phrases
cotillear sobre celebridades
gossip about celebrities
cotillear con amigas
gossip with female friends
cotillear en voz baja
gossip in a low voice
Similar words
chismear: Talks informally about small rumors or private aspects of other people's lives.
cuchichear: Speaks rumors quietly, using a hushed voice to avoid being overheard.
difundir: Circulates a rumor widely until it becomes common knowledge.
Definition in Spanish
Hablar de rumores o de detalles privados sobre otras personas en conversaciones informales, generalmente con intención de comentar o entretener.
Word origin
The verb derives from cotilla 'a gossip' combined with the verbalizing suffix -ear, so cotillear denotes spreading or discussing others' private rumors in informal speech.
Usage tips
- Because cotillear has a slightly judgmental tone, neutral alternatives in formal contexts include comentar or preguntar por.