Grito

Grito is a Spanish noun that denotes a loud vocalization, shout, cry, or exclamation. It can express alarm, joy, warning, or encouragement. The word comes from the verb gritar, to shout or cry out.

Common uses span everyday language, ceremonial or theatrical exclamations, and literary descriptions. Phrases include grito de guerra (war cry), grito de auxilio (cry for help), and grito de celebración (celebratory cry). In many contexts, a grito serves as a rapid, emphatic vocal signal rather than extended speech.

In Mexican history, the Grito de Dolores, or Cry of Dolores, marks the call for independence issued by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on September 16, 1810. The annual public reenactment, El Grito, is staged by the president on the evening of September 15, and is widely observed in Mexico as part of Independence Day celebrations.

In music, especially in traditional Mexican genres such as mariachi and ranchera, a grito is a brief, improvised vocal flourish used to punctuate a line, signal a transition, or energize the performance and audience. The grito can vary in length and pitch and is often recognizable as a vocal exclamation within the song.

The term is used in other Spanish-speaking regions to describe emotional vocal expressions in speech or performance. While rooted in everyday speech, grito also carries cultural and historical connotations tied to collective action, celebration, and artistic expression.