charro

American  

[chahr-oh, chahr-raw] / ˈtʃɑr oʊ, ˈtʃɑr rɔ /

noun

plural

charros

1. a Mexican horseman or cowboy, typically one wearing an elaborate outfit, often with silver decorations, of tight trousers, ruffled shirt, short jacket, and sombrero.

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Usage

What is a charro? Charro is used to describe something related to Mexican horsemen, such as their costumes, or to Mexican ranch culture, such as charro frijoles (beans), a soup-like dish made of pinto beans, onions, garlic, and bacon or pork belly. A charro is a traditional Mexican horseman whose costume usually consists of tight pants, a ruffled shirt or jacket, a large hat, and silver ornaments and decorations. They were originally known to be skilled ranchers and horsemen. Charros from different haciendas would compete in local charreadas to test their skills. The competitions grew to become traveling festivals that featured food, music, and competitions. In Mexican pop culture, charros are similar to cowboys in American pop culture, but they are celebrated as being ornamental and flashy. Charros are known to wear elaborate outfits with a lot of decorations, accents, frills, embroidered designs, and more. Perhaps the most recognizable part of traditional charro fashion is the large, wide-brimmed charro hat, the sombrero de charro. Example: The new food truck serves all my favorite charro foods, especially charro beans.

Etymology

Origin of charro

1925–30; < Mexican Spanish; Spanish: rustic, countrylike < Basque txar poor, weak

Example Sentences

A charro suit is made using specific sartorial techniques, which Campillo applies to other garments, creating something highly specific to him, his experience and his version of the world.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 13, 2024

As if that weren’t enough, you see a charro rider in the background.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 6, 2023

Try the quarter chicken with charro beans and nopal salad.

From Washington Post • Jan. 7, 2022

Despite the subject matter of his music, it was always tempered by his manly persona — he dressed in full charro regalia, took swigs from fans’ bottles and performed atop his horses.

From New York Times • Dec. 13, 2021

“You like the charro hat, muchachos, eh?” he asked them in a friendly way.

From "Lupita Mañana" by Patricia Beatty