What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mendigo
Example
The mendigo sat on the sidewalk with a sign asking for spare change. [mendigo: noun]
Example
He had no choice but to live like a mendigo after losing his job and home. [mendigo: adjective]
panhandler
Example
The panhandler approached me on the street corner, asking for a dollar. [panhandler: noun]
Example
She resorted to panhandling after losing her job and being unable to find work. [panhandling: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Panhandler is more commonly used than mendigo in everyday language, especially in North America. Mendigo is less common and is typically only used in Latin American countries or by Spanish speakers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mendigo and panhandler?
Neither mendigo nor panhandler are particularly formal words, but panhandler may be slightly more appropriate for use in formal contexts due to its more neutral connotation.
