General
chanta
What does chanta mean?
A con artist, fraud, or unreliable bluffer, someone who promises much and delivers nothing. The source is often linked to Genoese 'ciantapuffi' (a debtor who skips out, lit. 'plant-debts').
"Ese tipo es un chanta. (That guy is a total con man.)"
Origin
Lunfardo from early-1900s Buenos Aires, documented by the Academia Portena del Lunfardo; commonly derived from Genoese 'ciantapuffi' (one who plants debts and absconds), though the link is debated.
Frequently asked questions
What does chanta mean?
It means a con artist, fraud, or all-talk bluffer.
Where did chanta come from?
It's usually traced to Genoese 'ciantapuffi', a debtor who skips town.
Can chanta describe an object?
Yes, as an adjective it means fake, shoddy, or half-baked.
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