The term "cotarro" is primarily used in Spanish to imply a state of disorder, noise, or chaos. It often carries a negative connotation, suggesting unpleasant sounds or confusion. It can refer to a noisy environment, a group of people making disruptive noise, or a general state of hubbub or disorder.
In terms of frequency, "cotarro" is more common in spoken contexts and informal settings, particularly in Spain and some Latin American countries. It is not typically used in formal writing.
At the party, there was such a racket that I couldn't hear the people talking next to me.
El cotarro en la oficina hizo que todos se distrajeran de su trabajo.
The commotion in the office caused everyone to be distracted from their work.
No soporto el cotarro que hacen los niños en el parque durante el fin de semana.
While "cotarro" itself isn't a key component of many idiomatic expressions, it is used in some colloquial phrases and can be associated with broader themes of chaos or noise:
Translation: The kids started to cause a commotion at school, and the teacher had to intervene.
Cotarro de ruidos
Translation: The city turns into a cacophony of noises at dusk.
Meterse en un cotarro
The word "cotarro" most likely derives from the Latin "coactura," referring to a gathering or act of collecting, which further evolved into a jesting form connoting disorder and noise. The etymological roots suggest a sense of assembly, but it has taken on a negative connotation over time, referring to an unpleasant or overwhelming mix of sounds.