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chafa means cheap / low-quality — a common term in Mexican Slang. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 18, 2025

🌶️ Mexican Slang

chafa

adjective • /[CHA-fah]/

cheap / low-quality

Example:

Este juguete es chafa.

This toy is low-quality.

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🧠 What does chafa mean?

Chafa is a common Mexican slang word used to describe something of poor quality, cheap, or flimsy. It can refer to physical objects, experiences, or even people. Think of it as a way to say something is 'shoddy,' 'rubbish,' or just plain 'bad' in a casual, informal way.

📚 Extra examples

  • ¡No compres ese teléfono! Es muy chafa.
    Don't buy that phone! It's really cheap/low-quality.
  • La película estuvo chafa. Los efectos especiales eran terribles.
    The movie was awful. The special effects were terrible.
  • Compré unos zapatos chafas y se rompieron en una semana.
    I bought some cheap shoes and they broke in a week.
  • ¡Qué chafa tu coche! ¿No funciona el aire acondicionado?
    Your car is a piece of junk! Doesn't the AC work?
  • Esa fiesta estuvo bien chafa. No había buena música.
    That party was really lame. There wasn't any good music.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'cheap / low-quality' in Spanish?
There are many ways depending on the context. 'Barato' means inexpensive, which can sometimes imply low quality. 'Malo' means 'bad.' In Mexico, 'chafa' is a common slang term for 'cheap/low quality.'
How do you pronounce 'chafa' in Spanish?
It's pronounced 'CHA-fa,' with the 'ch' sound like in 'chocolate.'
How do you use 'chafa' in a sentence?
You can use it before a noun, like 'un coche chafa' (a cheap car), or after the verb 'ser/estar,' like 'La comida está chafa' (The food is bad/low-quality).
What is the English translation of 'chafa'?
It translates to 'cheap,' 'low-quality,' 'rubbish,' 'shoddy,' or 'crummy.'
Does 'chafa' change for gender or number?
No, 'chafa' stays the same regardless of the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
Is 'chafa' common in everyday Spanish?
It's very common in Mexican slang, but you might not hear it as much in other Spanish-speaking countries.
Does 'chafa' have slang or double meanings?
While primarily used to mean 'cheap/low quality,' it can also be used to express disappointment or disapproval in a general sense.
Is 'chafa' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
'Chafa' is primarily Mexican slang. While other Spanish-speaking countries might understand it, they likely use different slang terms.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "chafa"

Synonyms: corriente, malo, de mala calidad, barato
Opposites: bueno, de buena calidad, caro

💡 Did You Know?

While its origins are uncertain, some believe 'chafa' might be related to the Italian word 'ciaffa,' meaning 'something worthless.'

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