pito
/pee-toh/
whistle
A 'pito' is a whistle used to make a loud sound.
pito(noun)
whistle
?a small instrument you blow into to make a sound
beep
?a short, high sound made by a machine
📝 In Action
El árbitro tocó el pito al final del partido.
A2The referee blew the whistle at the end of the game.
Escuché un pito en el oído después del concierto.
B1I heard a ringing sound in my ear after the concert.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
This word is masculine, so always use 'el' or 'un' with it (el pito).
⭐ Usage Tips
Sports context
In football (soccer), you'll hear this word constantly referring to the referee's equipment.
The 'pito' can also refer to a car's horn.
📝 In Action
No toques el pito, hay mucho tráfico y no sirve de nada.
B1Don't honk the horn; there's a lot of traffic and it doesn't help.
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Choice
While 'pito' is used for car horns in many places, 'bocina' is more common in Mexico and Argentina.
An informal or slang term for 'pito'.
📝 In Action
El niño se estaba tocando el pito.
C1The little boy was touching his willy.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Social Caution
Mistake: "Using 'pito' in a formal meeting to talk about a sound."
Correction: Use 'pitido' (beep) or 'señal acústica' (acoustic signal) in professional settings.
In some phrases, 'pito' represents something of no value or 'a bit'.
📝 In Action
Me importa un pito lo que digan los demás.
B2I don't care one bit what others say.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pito
Question 1 of 1
What does someone mean if they say 'Me importa un pito'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'pito' always a bad word?
No! It is a perfectly normal word for 'whistle.' However, because it is also slang for 'penis,' people often giggle or use it as a joke. In a sports or traffic context, it is usually neutral.
What is the difference between 'pito' and 'silbato'?
'Silbato' is a more formal or precise word for the physical instrument (like a police whistle), while 'pito' is more common in everyday speech and can also refer to the sound itself.