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chivo

chee-boh/ˈtʃi.βo/

goat

Also: scapegoat
NounmA2
Argentina/Uruguay
A small, fluffy young goat standing in a green meadow.

📝 In Action

El chivo corre por el campo.

A1

The young goat runs through the field.

En esta región, el chivo asado es un plato muy popular.

A2

In this region, roasted goat is a very popular dish.

No me uses como tu chivo expiatorio para tus errores.

B1

Don't use me as your scapegoat for your mistakes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cabrito (kid/young goat)
  • cabra (goat (general))

Common Collocations

  • chivo expiatorio – scapegoat
  • carne de chivo – goat meat

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar como un chivo – to be acting crazy or wild

cool

Also: awesome
AdjectivemB1slang
El Salvador
A person wearing stylish sunglasses and a trendy jacket, smiling confidently.

📝 In Action

¡Qué chivo está tu teléfono nuevo!

B1

Your new phone is so cool!

La película estuvo bien chiva.

B1

The movie was really great.

Me parece chivo que vengas con nosotros.

B2

I think it's cool that you're coming with us.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • guay (cool (Spain))
  • chévere (cool (Caribbean/Colombia))
  • padre (cool (Mexico))

Antonyms

  • malo (bad)
  • fome (boring (Chile))

Common Collocations

  • bien chivo – really cool
  • qué chivo – how cool / that's cool

cheat sheet

Also: mess / tangle
NounmB2informal
GuatemalaCuba
A tiny folded piece of paper hidden in the palm of a hand.

📝 In Action

El profesor lo pilló con un chivo durante el examen.

B2

The teacher caught him with a cheat sheet during the exam.

Ese trabajo es un chivo total.

B2

That job is a total mess.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • chuleta (cheat sheet (Spain))
  • machete (cheat sheet (various LatAm))

Common Collocations

  • hacer un chivo – to make a cheat sheet

Vocabulary Collections

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "chivo" in Spanish:

awesome→cheat sheet→cool→goat→scapegoat→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: chivo

Question 1 of 3

If someone in El Salvador says your shirt is 'chiva', what do they mean?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
chivito(little goat / a famous Uruguayan sandwich) — Noun
chivato(snitch / informer) — Noun
enchivarse(to get stuck or to get angry) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Likely an onomatopoeic word (a word that sounds like what it describes). It comes from the sound 'chi-chi' used by shepherds to call goats.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: chibo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'chivo' offensive?

Usually no. However, calling someone a 'chivato' (related word) is an insult meaning 'snitch'. Also, in some countries, 'chivo' refers to body odor, so be careful with the context!

Can I use 'chivo' for 'cool' in Mexico?

It is understood, but 'padre' or 'chido' are much more common in Mexico. 'Chivo' is the king of slang in El Salvador.

What is a 'chivito' in Uruguay?

Even though it means 'little goat', it is actually the name of a famous steak sandwich! It doesn't usually contain goat meat.