What does “gafotas” mean in Spanish?

The speaker explains why the boy is called Manolito gafotas por las gafas — because of his glasses, and very big ones at that. Gafotas is a stretched-out version of gafas that makes the glasses sound huge and a little funny. So the nickname paints the picture instantly: giant glasses on a small kid. The speaker uses the same idea for his friend: big ears becomes Orejones. One feature, one word, instant nickname.

Spoken line: “Manolito se llama Manolito gafotas por las gafas.” — “Manolito is called Manolito gafotas because of his glasses.” He then adds “unas gafas muy grandes, por eso son gafotas” (very big glasses, that’s why they’re gafotas). The word gafotas takes gafas (glasses) and stretches it out so it sounds bigger and more exaggerated. In the same clip the speaker does the same thing with his friend: orejas (ears) becomes Orejones, meaning the big-ears kid. Usage notes: this kind of stretching is common in Spanish nicknames, jokes, and affectionate teasing among friends and family. Whether it sounds warm or a little mocking depends on the tone of the speaker, so listen to how it is said rather than reading it as a fixed insult.