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chatarra means junk / trash — a common term in Mexican Slang. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 4, 2025

🌶️ Mexican Slang

chatarra

noun • /[cha-TAH-rrah]/

junk / trash

Example:

Bota esa chatarra vieja.

Throw away that old junk.

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🧠 What does chatarra mean?

In Mexican slang, 'chatarra' primarily refers to junk, scrap metal, or things considered worthless or of poor quality. Think of a beat-up old car, a pile of discarded metal, or even something like cheaply made, easily broken trinkets. While its literal meaning relates to scrap metal, it can be used figuratively to describe anything perceived as useless or low-value.

📚 Extra examples

  • Ese coche viejo es pura chatarra.
    That old car is just junk.
  • ¡No compres eso! Es pura chatarra, se va a romper enseguida.
    Don't buy that! It's just cheap junk, it'll break right away.
  • Vendí toda la chatarra que tenía en el garaje.
    I sold all the scrap metal I had in the garage.
  • Esa película es pura chatarra.
    That movie is pure trash.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'junk' in Spanish?
There are several ways to say 'junk' in Spanish, depending on the context. 'Chatarra' specifically refers to scrap metal or things of low quality. Other options include 'basura' (trash), 'desperdicios' (waste), or 'porquerías' (junk, often used for useless items).
How do you pronounce 'chatarra' in Spanish?
It's pronounced cha-TA-rra, with the stress on the second syllable.
How do you use 'chatarra' in a sentence?
Here are some examples: 'Ese coche es pura chatarra' (That car is pure junk), or 'Tengo mucha chatarra en el garaje' (I have a lot of junk in the garage).
What is the English translation of 'chatarra'?
The English translation of 'chatarra' is junk, scrap metal, or trash, depending on the context.
Does 'chatarra' change for gender or number?
No, 'chatarra' is a singular, feminine noun and doesn't change its form for plurals. If you want to talk about multiple pieces of junk, you would say something like 'un montón de chatarra' (a pile of junk).
Is 'chatarra' common in everyday Spanish?
It's relatively common, especially in informal settings in Mexico. While understood elsewhere, it’s more frequently used in Mexican Spanish.
Does 'chatarra' have slang or double meanings?
While 'chatarra' literally means scrap metal, it's often used as slang for anything considered worthless or of poor quality. This is its most common usage in Mexico.
Is 'chatarra' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While understood across the Spanish-speaking world, 'chatarra' is more commonly used in Mexico as slang for something worthless. In Spain, it's more likely to refer specifically to scrap metal.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "chatarra"

Synonyms: basura, desperdicios, porquerías

💡 Did You Know?

While 'chatarra' usually has a negative connotation, some artists create amazing sculptures and art from scrap metal, proving that one person's trash can be another person's treasure!

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