"Soplillo" is a noun.
/sopˈi.ʝo/
In Spanish, "soplillo" is used to refer to someone who blows or gives a whistle. It can imply a more negative connotation when referring to someone who snitches or informs authorities about wrongdoings. The term is often used in informal contexts and may carry a somewhat playful or derogatory implication.
Frequency of use: While "soplillo" is understood in general Spanish, it is somewhat less common in everyday conversation compared to more standard terms for whistle or informant. It may be more frequently encountered in certain regions and contexts, particularly in Chile where the term has cultural specificities. It finds more usage in oral speech than in written form.
El soplillo avisó a la policía sobre el plan del grupo.
The whistler informed the police about the group's plan.
Siempre hay un soplillo en la escuela que cuenta todo.
There is always a snitch in school who tells everything.
Me dijeron que el soplillo reveló nuestro secreto.
I was told that the whistler revealed our secret.
"Soplillo" is less frequently used in idiomatic expressions due to its specific and somewhat informal connotation. However, it can appear in colloquial phrases, often portraying a negative trait.
"Ser un soplillo no te hará ganar amigos."
Being a snitch won’t earn you friends.
"No seas soplillo, ¡guarda el secreto!"
Don't be a whistleblower, keep the secret!
"Los soplillos siempre terminan solos."
Whistleblowers always end up alone.
"El soplillo del barrio es el que tiene más problemas."
The snitch in the neighborhood is the one with the most problems.
The term "soplillo" derives from the Spanish verb "soplar," which means "to blow." The suffix "-illo" indicates a diminutive form, suggesting a small or less serious version of the action of blowing, or it may imply a somewhat playful or derogatory reference to a person who informs.
The use of "soplillo" can vary depending on context, but it generally reflects informal or playful connotations in reference to someone who discloses information, particularly in a manner that could be viewed as disloyal.