chiche

Etymology

From Old French chiche, possibly from or related to Latin ciccum, or alternatively an expressive or onomatopoetic expression (compare Spanish chico). The interjection probably derives from the "capable" sense, suggesting in its usage "not capable"

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʃiʃ/

Adjective

chiche (plural chiches)

1. mean, stingy
2. scanty, meagre, stingy
3. (colloquial, predicative only) able, capable

Interjection

chiche

1. I dare you!

Further reading

• “chiche” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Etymology

Cf. Latin ciccum.

Adjective

chiche m (oblique and nominative feminine singular chiche)

1. miserly; stingy

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈt͡ʃit͡ʃe/

Verb

chiche

1. Formal second-person singular (usted) imperative form of chichar.
2. First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of chichar.
3. Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of chichar.
4. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted^?) present subjunctive form of chichar.