chingona

American  

[cheen-goh-nah] / ˌtʃinˈgoʊ nɑ /

noun

1. a woman, especially a Latina, who is strong, independent, competent, intelligent, self-assured, successful, etc..

   Chingonas do the work that rarely makes it into the “master narratives” of American history, but their influence touches us all.

   A true chingona, my mother has lived life on her own terms.

---

adjective

1. (of a woman, especially a Latina) strong, independent, competent, intelligent, self-assured, successful, etc..

   She has refused to sideline her Latina flair and chingona spirit in every step of her career.

2. awesome, admirable, or impressive.

   It's a really cool, nasty, chingona bike!

Etymology

Origin of chingona

First recorded in 1975–80; from Spanish; feminine of chingon ( def. )

Example Sentences

“I’m over here being a jefita chingona, busting my a— and that’s what people want to focus on?” she said, referring to her love life amid a decadelong career without scandals, five Latin Grammy nominations, four studio albums and two headlining tours.

From Los Angeles Times

And 2.5 miles north of that sits La Chingona Taqueria on Avalon Way Southwest.

From Seattle Times

Grandma might not have made headlines like those other women, outside of my columns about her, but that made her no less of a chingona to the people who loved her.

From Los Angeles Times

“To see a lot of Latinas like myself really embracing the plant, the industry, trying to be boss chingona women in this space empowers me,” Preza said.

From Los Angeles Times

Gloria, you were always a chingona.

From Los Angeles Times