Inklingo

How to Say "earful" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “earful” is “sermón” — use 'sermón' when you are describing a long complaint or lecture, often delivered by a parental or authority figure, emphasizing the tedious nature of listening to it.

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sermón

nounB1informal
Use 'sermón' when you are describing a long complaint or lecture, often delivered by a parental or authority figure, emphasizing the tedious nature of listening to it.

Examples

Mi padre me echó un sermón por llegar tarde a casa.

My father gave me a lecture for arriving home late.

chapa

CHAH-pahˈtʃapa

nounB2informal
Choose 'chapa' to describe a very long, tedious, and often boring explanation, especially in a work or academic context, highlighting its excessive length.
A person looking extremely tired and bored while listening to someone talk.

Examples

Mi jefe me dio una chapa de dos horas sobre el presupuesto.

My boss gave me a two-hour earful about the budget.

¡Qué chapa de película! Me quedé dormido.

What a boring movie! I fell asleep.

No me des la chapa con tus problemas ahora.

Don't bore me with your problems right now.

The verb 'Dar'

This meaning is almost always used with the verb 'dar' (to give).

Literal Translation

Mistake: “Thinking someone is giving you a piece of metal.”

Correction: If someone says 'No me des la chapa,' they want you to stop talking, not stop handing them objects.

mitin

mee-teenˈmitin

nounB2informal
Use 'mitin' when referring to receiving a long explanation or a significant reprimand, often delivered in a forceful or critical manner, like a public speech.
An adult wagging a finger at a bored-looking child sitting on a chair with their head resting on their hand.

Examples

Mi madre me soltó un mitin por no limpiar mi habitación.

My mother gave me a lecture for not cleaning my room.

No me vengas con otro mitin sobre la comida saludable.

Don't give me another long speech about healthy food.

El jefe nos dio el mitin de siempre sobre la puntualidad.

The boss gave us the usual earful about being on time.

Action Verbs

In this informal sense, we almost always use the verb 'soltar' (to let loose) or 'dar' (to give) with 'mitin'.

Singular Focus

Even if the lecture covers many topics, we usually refer to it as 'un mitin' (singular) to emphasize that it was one long, continuous speech.

Context is Key

Mistake: “The teacher gave a mitin about math.”

Correction: The teacher gave a 'clase' or 'lección'.

peluca

peh-LOO-kahpeˈluka

nounC1informal
Opt for 'peluca' when someone is 'told off' or receives a scolding, implying a sharp, critical reprimand, often for a specific mistake or offense.
A small child looking down while a stern adult points a finger in a gesture of reprimand.

Examples

Mi jefe me echó una peluca por llegar tarde.

My boss gave me a scolding for arriving late.

Verbs for Scolding

In this sense, the word is almost always used with the verb 'echar' (to throw/give).

Distinguishing 'Sermón', 'Chapa', and 'Mitin'

Learners often confuse 'sermón', 'chapa', and 'mitin' because they all imply a long talk. Remember that 'sermón' focuses on the complaint/lecture aspect, 'chapa' on the excessive length and tediousness of an explanation, and 'mitin' on a forceful reprimand or explanation, akin to a speech.

Related Translations

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