It can also be used as an adjective to describe places or situations. No molestes mucho a Ral porque es brincn Here is a sample conversation using, Want to see how to use some of these words and phrases in conversation? Is it just me, or is it getting hot in here? .plyr--full-ui input[type=range] { A huevos This literally means "to the eggs," but it is used to say "for sure." Quieres ir al cine maana? that was a bad movie, not even worth the ticket, Eso me pasa por comprar cosas chafa, no dur ni un mes I had it coming for not buying the originals, it didnt last a month, Vine con dos cheros para que cargar todo sea ms fcil I came with two friends so carrying everything becomes easier, El desayuno estuvo chivo, ni siquiera tengo hambre I had a great breakfast, Im not even hungry yet, Tenemos tres chuchos en la casa, necesitamos un poco ms de comida We have three dogs at home, were gonna need a bit more food, Deberas limpiar tu cuarto, est todo chuco You should clean your room, its all dirty, Hay muchos cipotes as en el vecindario There are many kids like that in the neighborhood, Compr algunas cosas en la tienda y me dieron un caramelo de choto I bought some things at the store and they gave me a candy for free, Cuando comenz la msica se arm un desmadre When the music started the chaos began as well, No seas tan dundo, hasta te lo explic lo mejor que pudo Dont be so dumb, he even explained it to you as good as he could, No creo que pueda ir, esta muy yuca llegar caminando I dont think Ill be able to go, looks really hard to get there by walking. Yesterday, I was assaulted on the bus when I was on my way back home., Your browser does not support the audio element. /*Secondery*/ to practice conversational Spanish skills. Hoping to be inspired by gorgeous hand-woven textiles, ancient architecture or the enduring mystery of Tikal? amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; In the same way today every school and every company has its bootlickers. Pues, est mal. (Really? Forget about too nice. Have you ever watched TED talks? They will use it to express anger about a situation as well. Fuck you Adding the word 'you' means you are directing the same to someone else. Where did you buy that leather jacket? It comes from an old 19th century Honduran general called Florencio Xatruch. A traditional Salvadoran dish, similar to tortillas made out of rice or corn, filled with all kinds of ingredients, cheese, beans, chicharrones, beef, prawns, etc. Implicit is a sense of camaraderie and of belonging. Another word for a young person, be it a teenager, a kid, or someone who a lot of time ahead of them. .plyr__menu__container .plyr__control[role=menuitemradio][aria-checked=true]::before { Heading to Colombia? Cuando le ped a Antonio que me hiciera un favor ms, enojado me dijo: Qu! } This guide to slang terms from El Salvador and Honduras is part of our Spanish slang guides, a collection of basic slang for different Spanish-speaking countries. background: #c5dd0d;} No, dont go to the eggs (which is the literal definition of this phrase). const players199639 = Plyr.setup('.player199639', { Before you use some of these words and phrases, be careful that youve memorized their meaning and occasions when it is acceptable to use them. Dnde compraste esa chumpa de cuero vos? Like English, Spanish is a global language. You can read them first and at the very end of this post, you can check out a video of the ten words being used by a Guatemalan who appeared in our addicting Gritty Spanish learning audios! Afro-Guatemalans are Guatemalans of African descent. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; In the western and northern departments of Guatemala "chamacos" is used to say children or kids. .plyr--audio .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { In Guatemalan Spanish, they prefer to get their potatoes peeled. You could be talking to a teacher in just 5 minutes! Here is an example of the above, words can be extremely helpful to add to your conversations, and can also help you understand what youre hearing in more, may also be able to give you some lessons on, phrases to look out for when learning this Romance language. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; You may make some new friends along the way. This expression means its hard that is commonly used by people who wish to complain about anything complex like a verbal sigh. Their acute sense of smell makes them ideal companions on the hunt. Take Guatemala for instance. It basically means cool or nice as an adjective. Pura vida describes the Costa Rican mindset of being chilled out. Today, this Portuguese insult doesnt refer to women only but to men, too. This Guide To British Sayings and Slang Will Have You Chitchatting With the Queen in a Snap. Perhaps theyve picked up a new way of saying, Whats up? or Thats cool., Much like you may hear different slang words in California than you would hear in Texas, the same goes for. This is a case of slang turning a word around because it derives from clido,meaning warm. Dont try to figure it out, just run with it. Boy, thats a really beautiful jacket! #c5dd0d; }. Aguas! Or, take. It can mean either a person who drinks too much alcohol, like an alcoholic, or an alcoholic beverage itself. Highlighting SOS Animales and Animal Rescue in Nicaragua. This site contains occasional affiliate (referral) links to products we trust. However, because of this very merit, it's a little difficult to pin down one concrete definition for it. Just like Mexican slang, this term refers to a young man. background: #c5dd0d; } background: #c5dd0d; } Por qu? ( How come?) Central American Spanish has its own distinct dialects. .plyr__menu__container .plyr__control[role=menuitemradio][aria-checked=true]::before { Aguas! amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Porque es una mujer garca.(Because shes a dishonest woman.) Maybe. If you are unfamiliar with certain, , you may not understand the context of your conversations. amzn_assoc_linkid = "edac110a24e959f54c6d2f1d0287ff45"; The standard word for pig in Spanish is puerco. We curl up as we find a comfortable position. For that reason, if a Guatemalan calls someone a culebra, he is probably just buttering someone up to get his way. But anyone who speaks Spanish knows what I mean. .plyr__menu__container .plyr__control[role=menuitemradio][aria-checked=true]::before { Its but a metaphor for a life of ease. Here are 27 of the most common. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "wwwgringoguid-20"; If they dont end a sentence with one, theyll end it with the other. Do you have any special Central American Spanish words or phrases to add to this list? But the Guatemalan term is far more colorful. The meaning of the word has likely been taken from English. The driving test is very hard., Your browser does not support the audio element. Here, well discuss common colloquial Spanish words from a few different countries so you can start practicing with friends. Also used in Colombia and Venezuela with some variations. Learning basic Portuguese sayings and greetings shouldn't be that hard. Its what Nicaraguans call themselves and each other as a matter of pride. .plyr__menu__container .plyr__control[role=menuitemradio][aria-checked=true]::before { Fijate vos que tengo un clavo con mi carro } color: #c5dd0d; } And, last of all, learn some street talk to converse with the locals. Understanding how natives refer to words like taxi and city bus will come in handy, especially when traveling around the country. It means buddy or mate. Ive heard it on the brightly-coloredchicken busesthat you see all over Guatemala. .plyr--full-ui input[type=range] { Hes the only one with pull. Perhaps theyve picked up a new way of saying, Whats up? or Thats cool.. Pero mira como ests todo seco, seguro que ests comiendo bien? Too complicated to go into here, but a 2014 article in the Tico Times describes it pretty well. Download the exact curriculum that thousands of BaseLang students have used to become fluent in Spanish. words you already know in Spanish to add even more to your vocabulary)! Theyre like living, breathing organisms. But in Guatemala, this is also a term of affection, meaning buddy, pal, or mate. Chele/Chela: Chele comes from leche (milk swapping the syllables around). }); Include some of these slang words and phrases inyour language-learning routine(and pack them in your suitcase) in order to get the most out of your time in thisCentral American country. This type of people, Guatemalans call brincones. Guanaco is the name they call themselves. Then you better duck or move or at least turn around because he/she is warning you about a danger coming close to you. Esta fiesta es bien chola - This party is so tacky. Learn how to. Synonyms of this phrase are vai se foder, vai tomar por cu, and vai pro caralho., Usually, when youre angry, you use the word s*it. The same is in Portuguese, only the word they are using is merda., You can use the word by itself or as a part of a phrase. In this post, were presenting some of the most common words and phrases youll hear on the streets (and in the bars) of Guatemala. color: #00896e; .plyr__control[data-plyr="play"]{ Another example conversation using Colombian Spanish slang: Qu hubo?(Whats up?) A nuestro vicepresidente le encanta recibir palo. The generic term for this in Latin America is palomitas de maz. Heres a list of twenty words and phrases to get you started. They prefer to have everything handed to them on a plate. Help me, the nut wheels are very tight.. } background: #c5dd0d; } If youre going to say, for example, What the fuck is that? you use the phrase only, Que porra essa?, However, if you want to say What the f*ck man!, then use only the porra word from the phrase and make a sentence with the words you want. Ever heard of rubbernecking delays? As you may see, there are many reasons why you should know In Ecuadorian slang, it refers to a person who has tacky behavior or bad taste. If youre tired of sticking to your textbook, it might be time to branch out and learn some new phrases. "PUCHICA" is a Guatemalan slang word that we use every day. This one is also quite simple, A Guatemalan slangword to say dog is chucho. While you are going mad, learn these Guatemalan Spanish phrases. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; } The Portuguese, especially Brazilians, use bad words often. Pues, ms o menos, y tu?(Well, Im so-so, and you?) [citation needed] In Guatemala (also in Honduras and El Salvador) people with money are said to have pisto, a term originally used by Maya peoples in Guatemala. background: #c5dd0d; } Felipe Parkhurst. The floor is wet 2) Charnel Seguramente l te va a entender muy rpido porque es bien chispudo. Jeje, que chilero. (Hehe, thats cool.). It is no surprise, then, that chilero usually has nothing to do with mouth-burning of any kind. Well, see you tomorrow, bye man! Understanding how natives refer to words like taxi and city bus will come in handy, especially when traveling around the country. } Chapn/Chapina The "official" Spanish word for a person from Guatemala is Guatemalteco but the term is rarely used outside of textbooks. That being the case, in Guatemalan Spanish, a person in such a state is said to be colgado como chorizo en tienda. controls:[ But if someone is yellingAGUAAAASSSS! Playing around with new words is a great way to practice and develop your Spanish speaking skills. Address: Santa Teresa, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, 2020 Digesit - Agencia de Marketing Digital, 10 Spanish Horror Movies That'll Scare You, Learn to Speak Spanish in a Magical Place, Learn Irregular verbs in Spanish while enjoying moments in paradise. To help you pick up some words here and there, weve provided a handy guide. background: #00896e; Ever peel a stack of potatoes? With all that Spanish being spoken, its no wonder every country has their own slang. Are youdisgusted about something? Together they make up only about 8% of the Spanish-speaking world. .plyr__control--overlaid:hover { Love can make us act crazy. The Salvadorian common word for friend, your close compadre. They grow and evolve on their own, spawning different versions of themselves. background: #c5dd0d; } Pura vida: Something else youll hear and see everywhere in Costa Rica. .plyr__control--overlaid:hover { }); All the Guatemalan Slang Terms You Need to Know. This is what youll login in with. As an everyday word, piranha is a kind of fish both in Portuguese and English and probably in many other languages. Here is an example of the above Guatemalan slang in action: Conoc a una chava.(I met a girl.) amzn_assoc_region = "US"; .plyr--full-ui input[type=range] { Same level of offensiveness as nigger or chink. Chuleta: The word for pork chop in Spanish, in Panamanian slang, chuleta means pity or disappointment or even damn. Now that youve learned some of the most commonly used curse words in Portuguese keep in mind how and in which situations you will use them. When you are angry at someone or something, you can use vai tomar no cu., In English, it literally means take some in your a*shole but can be used as an English equivalent f*ck off.. So if you hear armar un desmadre, this something is about to become a complete shitshow. Voice acted by Latino actors and actresses to help improve your Spanish comprehension in a way that engages and amuses. In this instance, its a little derogatorybut sometimes its a term of endearment! This one is pretty easy. Literally, this phrase means uns*it yourself.. to your vocabulary? Y la traida? Be careful with the Stone! But it just happens that in Guatemala, theyalso say burra when talking about a bus. background: #c5dd0d; } So the only time chucho doesnt mean dog, is when you are talking about changing a tire or mechanics. Lets all hope that Camilo isnt barking up the wrong tree. Lets send Enrique. Mande? (What?) (You should also practice. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; You makemore money than I do! They use this in El Salvador too. TermsPrivacy, Terms for our incredible guarantee can be read here. Is Guatemalan black? Take it from a Guatemalan. What is cuss word? At last count, there were nearly 17 million people living in Guatemala, so that gives you plenty of opportunity to try them out! Mara es chapina. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; No hables cerca de Marta porque es bienshute The climb to the mountain was very difficult.. Its all good. Chivo! Find Private Teaching Jobs on TakeLessons. You use this word to say something is cool, or that it exceeds your expectations. James Dyde is the editor of CentralAmerica.com. what do you love about your job? Spanish, a language originally from Europe, was spread into the Americas as the conquest led by the Spanish crown took place in the 18th century. Manuel, dont be such a minion! Shouting the word 'caralho,' you release that negative energy. Oye Chapin a que hora viene la burra? (Hey buddy what time does the bus arrive?). Because Mexico is just across the border from the U.S., you might even hear some. Usted gana ms que yo! So, if you are a Portuguese student, you should be familiar with Portuguese curse words. El hijo de Pedro es un buen patojo! 10. echar los perros. We had problems creating your account. Another local word for girlfriend is giza, sometimes spelled wisa. El chucho de Juan me mordi ayer. color: #ffffff; I am aware that a good number of the buses arent running. Noombre! It doesnt have either positive or negative connotation to it. It is Brazilian slang for a homosexual man, that is, the passive subject in the relationship. Piss off It simply means pushing someone away from your personal space. [10], Online dictionary of the Real Academia Espaola, "El espaol que se habla en El Salvador y su importancia para la dialectologa hispanoamericana", "El sufijo-al en el espaol de Guatemala", "Lexical peculiarities of Guatemalan national variant of Spanish", "Stylistic variability of pronoun addresses in modern Spanish of Guatemala", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Guatemalan_Spanish&oldid=1136837171, colocho - curly (usually when speaking of hair), mosh - oat porridge (more formally used is "avena"), shuco - Guatemalan-style hot dog; also means dirty, This page was last edited on 1 February 2023, at 11:47. amzn_assoc_asins = "B096SV8SJG"; Ever watch lizards eat? Have conversations faster, understand people when they speak fast, and other tested tips to learn faster. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Dont talk close to Marta because she is very nosey, Deja de entrometerte, no seas shute Mariano! Cabal: Used at the end of a sentence exactly like a huevos is. But is this really true? amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; Al menos esa es la lectura que yo le doy el querer sacar la cara para comunicar el aumento de salarios en un momento ms impertinente que una suegra shute en la luna de miel. background: #c5dd0d;} Theyre everywhere, and, very often, have ornately-painted female names above their windshields. Here are some examples: by the book, you may find it difficult when you try to communicate with native speakers in casual settings. .plyr__control[data-plyr="play"]{ Vaca is mainly used to offend women, something like using the word b*tch., The phrase is one of the most common ones among Brazilians. You already have a BaseLang account. They call themselves Ticos/Ticas in honour of the national habit of adding a diminutive suffix to words to denote affection and cuteness. These are 10 slang words from the streets of Guatemala you should know if wanna sound like a native around Guatemalan people! Guatemalan Slang 231,409 views Feb 22, 2016 9K Dislike Share Save FLAMA 852K subscribers Cerote, sho, aguas. Who you are speaking to and the TONE you use is very important, just like in English. Youll hear it in lots of different contextspolitics, personal, job-relatedthe expression applies to everything. Fuck off - Advertisement - This is used as a way to say someone to stay away. I dont care. Please contact support. The exact strategies you need to become conversational in Spanish this year. Its sure to get you a smile from anyone who hears you say it! 8) Cholo. Shouting the word caralho, you release that negative energy. Become an expert in more than 200 of the local words and phrases. The meaning of this word is dirty or nasty.. amzn_assoc_asins = "0615897509"; Catracho is the nickname for Hondureos (Hondurans). With a few lessons under your belt, you will be all set to impress your Spanish-speaking friends. So, besides using it as the word fool, you can use it on other occasions. This construction also came from Mayan languages such as Cachiquel, Kekchi, and Quiche. But each of them have their own little idiosyncrasies, their own ways of making Spanish their own. This is a cute word used for dogs, but in some places, randomly enough, you might hear it used as a nickname for people named Jess. Zero to advanced. Central America has its fair share of slang, too. It doesnt end here, you can use it as an adjective when you are talking about something that is difficult to do or if its looking bad. /*Secondery*/ Youll also make your experience abroad much more authentic. The literal translation is to make go down, but is Salvadoran slang for to eat. Others say it goes back much further to pre-Columbian times when indigenous people held meetings called huanacaxtle which sounds like guanacaste. Lets dive in. background: #c5dd0d;} Guatemalans are not as given to hot, spicy foods as their Mexican neighbors. .plyr__control{ It can be used alone or as a part of the phrase. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; After logging in you can close it and return to this page. This archaic Spanish word for girlfriend never went out of style in Guatemala. Me sobra algo de pisto, quieres algo de comer? Wanna curse like a Guatemalan? Or during lower-revenue, non-peak hours they take them o the route. color: #00896e; } Your hands and back will be aching. Alguien me dio el trabajo equivocado y no sabia. (Someone gave me the wrong job to do and I didnt know it was wrong.) Over 20 countries have Spanish as their official language, and all these countries have made the language their own, in their own ways. If you want to use the Portuguese phrase, you use it alone, without adding other words to form a broader sentence. Youll find Spanish slang words around the globe, as well as common expressions used in different Spanish-speaking cultures. This is another way of expressing appreciation, so if you like whats being suggested, just use this word! j. Justlearn 2/9/2022. This idiom means to date. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Burra volcanic iceland epic trip Meet our Local Insider Hanna how long have you been a guide? amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; Looking for job opportunities inRead More Jobs in Central America: Are You Looking? 1. Cheque: Pronounced che-kay, you know youre speaking to a Honduran when you hear this. Thats why these days few are willing to do it. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; About 13.7 million of the 17 million population speak Spanish. } #c5dd0d; } found in Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Guatemala. The word 'caralho' is commonly used to describe a male's intimate organ. Someone who is brincn is constantly trying to pick fights. Using family members or close relatives as a part of swearing phrases is considered one of the most offensive Portuguese insults. background: #00896e; Its literal meaning is NAIL, but in Guatemalan slang it means two different things. Down the line this word came to mean brother or brotherhood and ended up as Guanaco. vocabulary in different regions and countries. If you are planning to visit some of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries, we have a proposal for you. It can mean a small piece of excrement, but more often its used in a less derogatory manner between very close friends as a stand-in for the word dude., For example, if you mistakenly grab someones dinner you might hear, Cerote, esa era mi sopa! (Dude, thats my soup!). Instead, Chapn refers to a Guatemalan male and Chapina to a female. And who knows? Y? (And?) Manuel, no seas culebra! Miguel is embarrassed about dancing in front of his girlfriends parents. .plyr--audio .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { But when a Guatemalan sicks his dogs on someone, he is on a different sort of huntone of love. .plyr__control--overlaid:hover { Government red tape is enough to drive anyone crazy. Que sopa: Sopa means soup in Spanish, but not here it doesnt. Theres no Nico/Nica thing going on. But there is no math involved in this one. .plyr__menu__container .plyr__control[role=menuitemradio][aria-checked=true]::before { You can also insult your worst enemy with the same word, it depends in the tone. I thought she was working.) Qu boleta! (How embarrassing!). We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. First, Spanish is spoken by over400 million people worldwideand is the official language of more than 20 countries. | Official Page, Fall in Love with These Five Guatemalan Spanish Phrases, This Mexican Spanish Book Will Make Your Mouth Sizzle, Nicaraguan Spanish | Speak like a Native! Take Guatemala for instance. Nada, solo aqui pensando. (Nothing, just thinking.) A Huevos If you are already learning Spanish, you would say that this word means to the eggs but in our case, it doesn't. A huevos in Guatemalan slang can be used as you would use the English for sure. I have some money to spare, want to grab a bite? Do not use it, unless you want to come across as a crass, classless low-life. Actually, exactly like chunche. const players199642 = Plyr.setup('.player199642', { Stop being such a bother, you dumbass! amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; Happy about the dining venue some of the locals recommended? Whenever the subject of obesityRead More Is Gringo Fast Food Responsible for Obesity in Costa Rica? amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; Compared to other swear words, this one is pretty strong and not often used as the other ones. Aguas would be the plural of Agua. 10 Brutal Guatemalan Spanish Curse Words You Need To Know To Survive In Guatemala! Why do Salvadorans call themselves Guanacos? If youre tired of sticking to your textbook, it might be time to branch out and learn some new phrases. .plyr--audio .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { .plyr--audio .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { Sausages here are not usually hidden away in a cooler, but prominently on display in a stores entrance. The warning could help save you from injury, so pay attention and get out of the way! Try any of these phrases out next time youre having a casual conversation. Planning to hike near volcanoes, swim in Lake Atitlan or roam the markets of Chichicastenango? You can also use it when you have some intense emotions like frustration, anger, or surprise. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We match you with expert teachers in over 300 subjects so that you can learn something new through 100% amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; This is an all-around chilero word to have in your lingo library! Tuanis means cool, good, nice, all that positive stuff. View. Your shoes are pretty cool!. This is a common expression that Guatemalans share with their northern neighbors. No real translation to it, but it means thing or whadjamacallit or thingamajig or whatever word you use for something you dont know the name of. what do any of these words mean?? Central America stories, info, news, and opinion coming to you from local and expat writers in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. Here is a sample conversation using Argentinian Spanish slang: Como va?(How are you?) .plyr__time, .plyr__time--duration{ In the Garden of Eden, it was the snake that approached Eve, pretending to be her friendalbeit with ulterior motives. #c5dd0d; } Luis se meti en un gran clavo con la polica!.