Chuntaro is one of those words that’s not very easily defined. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve tried before, but just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it seems what is or isn’t chuntaro depends very much on who is employing this adjective of the Mexican vocabulario and why.
Say for example, you’re at a quinceañera and you’re having a great time. Yeah, they’re blasting conjunto music, your aunts and cousins are working the buffet line of food which they prepared, kids are running around like crazy, zig-zagging through the dance floor, and of course, there’s probably more beer than anything else, but you’re pretty stoked about how nice everything looks. All of a sudden you overhear someone saying “Ay qué bola de chuntaros… that’s why I didn’t want to come!”
Inevitably your going to start looking more closely at your surroundings, wondering what exactly makes this pachanga so chuntara, and more importantly… if you yourself could be considered chuntaro as well! Again, now whether you think this is an insult or a compliment – to be described by such an adjective – depends on how you feel about the word chuntaro. Personally, I’ve embraced the chuntaro in me! It’s a part of who I am… of who I’ve always been, and you know what, I really don’t think there’s anything wrong with being chuntaro.
Of course, I won’t tell you that I’m fully committed to the chuntaro lifestyle tampoco. I know how to conceal it when I need to, LOL!
If you want a more formal definition, here’s what the Urban Dictionary offers:
Chuntaro: Mexican slang word, synonym for “naco” (1) an Indian or Indian-looking Mestizo (2) an uncultured or lower class person. Pronounced: CHOON-tah-roh i.e. That barrio is full of nacos.
As usual, me and the Urban Dictionary don’t necessarily see eye to eye. I don’t like their definition of the word chuntaro here.
For a more visual take on the word ¡Chuntaro! and it’s meaning visit Chuntaritos.com.
I’m always on the hunt for new mexi-vocabulario.
What other words would you like me to include in the mexi-vocabulario? If you have one that you would recommend please share it with me here.
Writer’s Disclaimer: When I say mexi-vocabulario I don’t necessarily mean these words are exclusively Mexican, or only used by Mexicans. This is simply an expression of how they were introduced to me in our Mexican Spanish.
More Mexi-Vocabulario
- Mitotero
- Arrullar
- Solovino
- Pipirisnais
- Chusma
- Rifandomela
- Guey/Wuey
- Chale / Huevón / A Toda Madre
- Alcahueta
- Fodonga
- Rola
- Tamalona
- Palabras Pa’Enamorar
- Sinvergüenza
- Tarado
- The Many Uses of the Word “Madre”
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15 thoughts on “Mexi-Vocabulario: ¡Chuntaro!”
In Spain it would be hortero, hortera, horterada.
LOL! You learn something new everyday Jose! Thanks for the insight.
Juan, where I grew up in Southern California, this word was always directed by gang members toward the field workers, and always under duress. Therefore, it’s always had a negative and unkind connotation for me. Thanks for illustrating alternate, more light-hearted usage of the word.
Yes, I’ve heard it used like that before… didn’t like it either. The Urban Dictionary version is wrong too! But the way we’ve always used it ourselves has been to poke fun of ourselves. Glad you found this useful 🙂
I was looking for the definition of that word too, I’m half Mex and Half Guatemalan, I didn’t really have a family relationship from my mexican side but lots from my Guatemalan side so a lot of mex slang its new to me. Some words in your Mexi-vocabulario are not only use in Mexico but in other latin countries, example: arrullar, chusma, rifandomela, alcahueta, rola, sinverguenza, tarado.
Excelente!
In high school, the US-born Mexican kids would refer to Mexican-born kids as “Chuntaros” as a pejorative. It is the Mexican version of the word “Nigger”. The US-born Mexican kids felt superior because they were born on the USA. They may have looked mire Mexican than Danny Trejo but they still felt superior to them
Not really. You can be born in Mexico and NOT be low class/ghetto. It’s like the Mexican version for redneck/hick/rube/etc. No one would think of calling someone like Salma Hayek “chuntaro”
It has/had nothing to do with looks, and everything to do with behavior, mentality. Similar to Asian ‘fob’. I doubt they would look down on an immigrant that had an education, high paying job, urban, etc.
Why do non-redneck whites make fun of and look down on rednecks? You’re taking one population and placing them in a completely different world. They recreate those same conditions as in their old countries. The fact that there are so many of them makes it more noticeable and slower to learn English, mingle with non-Mexicans, become citizens
Again, some Mexican-Americans might have had ancestors who came from similar circumstances, but have long ago adapted to American life. It’s possible some have had negative interactions, assumed to not be “Mexican enough”, and that could add to the bad feelings. Mexicans can be quite loud and proud, but at the same time suffer from an inferiority complex
A low life , no class, always looking for hand outs and on welfare, not looking to improve themselves , having kids ..usually out of wedlock, born in Mexico
My 90 year old brother said it means basically a “bully”!
My 90 year old brother said it means basically a “bully”!
Hello Juanofwords.
Perdoname por la falta de contexto, pero podria usted trasducir a una frase que dijo mi novia.
I filled a pillowcase with a folded blanket for her to use as a pillow, and she expressed gratitude: “gracias por hacerme una almohada, esta a puro chas-chas”
In “Narcos: Mexico”, they use the word “chunteros”, with a “e”, rather than “chuntaros”. The complete sentence is “No, y seguirle el negocio de los chunteros.” Any idea what “chuntero” means?