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cani

noun, adjectiveInformal

A Peninsular Spanish slang term. Browse all Spanish slang.

What it means

  1. A young working-class person identified by a specific look — tracksuits, heavy gold jewellery, a particular haircut. Spain's counterpart to the British chav or the Australian bogan, with the same class contempt built in.

Examples with translations

  • Ese barrio está lleno de canis.

    That neighbourhood is full of canis.

  • Lleva un estilo un poco cani.

    His style is a bit chavvy.

Where it comes from

Probably from Caló, where cani relates to Roma identity — which is why the word carries an ethnic charge on top of the class one. Listed for comprehension; it is not a neutral description.