chillar

chee-YAR/t͡ʃiˈʝaɾ/

“chillar” means “to scream” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:

to scream🔊A2Verb

high-pitched human shouting

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to screech🔊B1Verb

mechanical sounds like brakes

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to clash🔊B2Verb

colors that don't match

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to scream

Also: to shriek, to yell

VerbA2regular ar

A child with their mouth wide open in a high-pitched shout.

gerundchillando

past Participlechillado

infinitivechillar

📝 In Action

¡No me chilles, que no estoy sordo!

Don't scream at me, I'm not deaf!

Los niños chillaban de alegría en el parque.

The children were screaming with joy in the park.

Si ves una araña, no te pongas a chillar.

If you see a spider, don't start shrieking.

Word Connections

Synonyms

gritar (to shout)
berrear (to bellow/bawl)

Antonyms

susurrar (to whisper)
callar (to be quiet)

Common Collocations

chillar de dolor – to scream in pain
ponerse a chillar – to start screaming

to screech

Also: to squeak, to creak

VerbB1regular ar

A car tire on a road with smoke rising from the rubber.

📝 In Action

Los frenos del coche empezaron a chillar.

The car brakes started to screech.

La puerta chilla cada vez que la abres.

The door squeaks every time you open it.

Oigo algo chillar en el jardín, parece un ratón.

I hear something squeaking in the garden, it sounds like a mouse.

Word Connections

Synonyms

chirriar (to creak/squeak)
crujir (to crunch/creak)

Common Collocations

chillar los neumáticos – tires screeching
una bisagra que chilla – a squeaky hinge

to clash

Also: to be gaudy

VerbB2regular arinformal

A bright neon green shirt next to a bright neon orange pair of pants.

📝 In Action

Ese color verde chilla un poco con la pared azul.

That green color clashes a bit with the blue wall.

Lleva una corbata que chilla.

He's wearing a tie that's really loud (gaudy).

Word Connections

Synonyms

desentonar (to be out of tune/clash)

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedeschillaran

yochillara

túchillaras

vosotroschillarais

nosotroschilláramos

él/ella/ustedchillara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedeschillen

yochille

túchilles

vosotroschilléis

nosotroschillemos

él/ella/ustedchille

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedeschillaron

yochillé

túchillaste

vosotroschillasteis

nosotroschillamos

él/ella/ustedchilló

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedeschillaban

yochillaba

túchillabas

vosotroschillabais

nosotroschillábamos

él/ella/ustedchillaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedeschillan

yochillo

túchillas

vosotroschilláis

nosotroschillamos

él/ella/ustedchilla

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Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "chillar" in Spanish:

to clash→to creak→to scream→to screech→to shriek→to squeak→to yell→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: chillar

Question 1 of 3

Which word would you use for a small mouse making a sound?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼

chillido(a scream/shriek) — Noun

chillón(loud/gaudy/showy) — Adjective

chillonería(loud shouting/uproar) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes▼

brillar saltar llorar

📚 Etymology▼

Likely an onomatopoeic creation—a word made up to sound exactly like the noise it describes (a sharp, piercing sound).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: chiar

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'gritar' and 'chillar'?

Gritar is general shouting (like at a football match). Chillar is specifically for high-pitched, piercing screams or shrieks.

Can 'chillar' be used for animals?

Yes! It is used for pigs, mice, and birds to describe their specific high-pitched sounds.

Is 'chillar' a regular verb?

Yes, it follows the standard pattern for all -ar verbs in all tenses.