Spanish word of the day: Tiquismiquis

What does tiquismiquis mean?

Tiquismiquis (noun, informal) — A person who is overly fussy, picky, or hard to please, especially about small details. It’s the perfect word for that friend who complains if their coffee isn’t just right or who notices every tiny flaw.

Example sentences with tiquismiquis

• No seas tan tiquismiquis con la comida, ¡pruébala!
  😅 Don’t be so picky about the food, just try it!

• Su jefe es un tiquismiquis; siempre encuentra algún error en los informes.
  🧐 Their boss is a stickler; he always finds some mistake in the reports.

• Es imposible ver una película con Marta, es muy tiquismiquis con el sonido.
  🎬 It’s impossible to watch a movie with Marta; she’s so fussy about the sound.

Tiquismiquis in context

You’ll hear tiquismiquis pop up in all sorts of everyday situations, especially when someone’s attention to detail starts to feel a little over the top. If you have a friend who inspects every fork at a restaurant before using it, or a colleague who rewrites emails just to fix a tiny typo, this word fits perfectly. It’s playful and not usually meant as a harsh insult—more of a gentle tease when someone’s standards seem a bit much.

In family life, parents might call their kids tiquismiquis if they refuse to eat vegetables or complain about how their clothes feel. Among friends, it’s a lighthearted way to poke fun at someone who’s hard to please. If you want to sound more natural in Spanish, use tiquismiquis when you’re joking about someone’s pickiness, or even to laugh at your own quirks. Just remember, it’s all in good fun!