chivato

snitch; informer

noun chee-BAH-toh Rare

Also means

indicator light; alarm

Usage Note

Chivato literally means a young male goat (chivo), but its dominant colloquial meaning in Spain is an informer or snitch — someone who tells on others. A second, widespread technical meaning is a warning light or indicator (such as a dashboard warning light or a smoke alarm), especially in Spain. In Latin America the animal sense is more common and the 'snitch' sense may be less familiar. The feminine form chivata follows the same pattern.

Examples

"El chivato reveló el plan a la policía."

Natural Translation

The snitch revealed the plan to the police.

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