It is no surprise, then, that chilero usually has nothing to do with mouth-burning of any kind. Some 19 million persons speak Guatemalan Spanish. 7. Cambridge Dictionary's 2022 Word of the Year was inspired by Wordle, the viral word-guessing game that took the world by storm earlier last year. If youve got a few days to spare, take a ride to Laguna Magdalena(Lake Magdalena) and jump into the cold, turquoise water. Here is a sample conversation using, Want to see how to use some of these words and phrases in conversation? A word here, a phrase there: Youll know youre listening to Central American Spanish when you hear some of the following: Chapin/Chapina: This is what Guatemalans call themselves. Stop being such a bother, you dumbass! If youre white or blonde in Nicaragua, they will call you chele. background: #c5dd0d;} A Miguel le da clavo bailar en frente de los paps de su novia. .plyr--video .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { Cmo te qued el ojo? But all of those countries had a few (or a lot) of languages before that, so it was natural that every one of them started mixing up their languages with the Spanish language, resulting in quite big variations of the language in every different republic. #c5dd0d; } } amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; .plyr__control{ background: #c5dd0d; } I thought she was working.) Algo pas?(Did something happen?) Dance to music played by street musicians near the fountain in Antigua. Exiled from the country for life for selling many children to slavery. Its literal meaning is NAIL, but in Guatemalan slang it means two different things. It can also be used as an adjective to describe places or situations. 25 Guatemalan Slang Terms to Help You Sound Like a Local While many a Spanish-speaker has gushedover hisgirlfriend, or novia, in Guatemala men strut down the street with their traida in hand. 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. background: #c5dd0d;} The word Agua means water, of course. A huevos This literally means "to the eggs," but it is used to say "for sure." Quieres ir al cine maana? amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; Heading to Colombia? Very likely it is an example of onomatopoeia, that is, a word that mimics the sounds associated with the word itself. background: #c5dd0d; } Yuca: Literally yucca (the vegetable). #c5dd0d; }, Para ir a trabajar, tengo que agarrar dos burras. There are also many words unique to Central America, for example, chunche or chochadas or babosadas means "thing" or stuff in some places. Aguas! Dont forget to practice these if youre traveling to Guatemala soon! }); Dont provoke Raul, he is a trouble-maker .plyr__control--overlaid:hover { Sometimes, this. .plyr--audio .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { button.plyr__control:hover{ If the person is old, for an example a person in his twenties, they can also be bea patojo. starting with the letter a. This is a common expression that Guatemalans share with their northern neighbors. .plyr__control--overlaid:hover { background: #c5dd0d;} You may make some new friends along the way. Thisis the perfect thing to say to a child who is about to stick something filthy in his mouth. Dale pues/Va pues: This expression is more broad-based, but basically means depending on context go ahead or lets do it! or any other form of agreement. Tuanis comes from military code created by 19th centurySalvadoran General Francisco Malespn, where he swapped around syllables to words to create new ones. .plyr--full-ui input[type=range] { I Went To Belgium To Find Out After a 90-Day Lesson Streak. Although there is another thing theyalso call chucho,which are the nut wheel of a tire. Finally, you break through the defense and score the game-winning goal! background: #c5dd0d; } For a more complete list see List of Spanish words of Nahuatl origin. Adding these words to your lexicon will significantly decrease the number of possible misunderstandings you might have during the first few days of your visit. It doesnt have to be in a stress situation, it can also be a warning of something that will happen in the future, like: Pedro! Another word for a young person, be it a teenager, a kid, or someone who a lot of time ahead of them. Slang is often used in Mexico when speaking with friends in informal settings. Here are the phrases being repeated by a native from Guatemala. If you are planning to visit some of the 21 Spanish-speaking countries, we have a proposal for you. Who you are speaking to and the TONE you use is very important, just like in English. Cheque: Pronounced che-kay, you know youre speaking to a Honduran when you hear this. A: Hows your grandpa doing? button.plyr__control:hover{ Let others sow so that we can reap. This site contains occasional affiliate (referral) links to products we trust. button.plyr__control:hover{ Cabal: Used at the end of a sentence exactly like a huevos is. But in El Salvador, it means goodbye. Hijo, si te ports bien, te compro unos poporopos esta noche en el cine. All skinny, are you sure youre eating well? Too complicated to go into here, but a 2014 article in the Tico Times describes it pretty well. Theyre everywhere, and, very often, have ornately-painted female names above their windshields. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; My advice? color: #00896e; It comes from the word chispa which literary means spark. To get to work, I have to catch two buses.. Chapn / Chapina This is the unofficial Spanish word for a person from Guatemala. Qu chilera tu chumpa! background: #00896e; HOW CANyou make yourGuatemalanSpanish moreauthentic? controls:[ } A poco. Its all about the context, people. So if you hear armar un desmadre, this something is about to become a complete shitshow. The second meaning, is that if someone is having clavo means that the person is ashamed or embarrassed of a situation or person. If the word merda isnt hard enough to express your anger, frustration, or surprise, adding a puta next to the merda may be satisfied. But in Guatemala, this is also a term of affection, meaning buddy, pal, or mate. }); When you are ready, prepared, or focused. I told you to pay attention.). Pues, est mal. (Really? The verb cuajar means to coagulate, or to solidify. Negatively, along with the proper intonation, it can mean f*ck yourself, and you use it when you dont care anymore about something or you give up. Download the exact curriculum that thousands of BaseLang students have used to become fluent in Spanish, We sent you an email with a link to download the guide. Ricardo, desde que conoci a Ruth, est colgado como chorizo en tienda. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Costa Rican Spanish | Speak like a Native! You may make some new friends along the way. I have some money to spare, want to grab a bite? El chucho de Juan me mordi ayer. Forget about too nice. 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. Felipe Parkhurst. We can say that it is a synonym for the word puta., Interestingly, during carnival seasons, men dressed up as women, looking sexually attractive, and people call them piranhas., The word porra can be translated as s*it, but theres a slight difference between this word and merda. COmparing these two words, porra is softer than merda.. If you are a rubbernecker or a buttinsky, dont be surprised if in Guatemala you are described as shute, which essentially means nosy, prying or snoopy, and not of the Charlie Brown variety! Que sopa: Sopa means soup in Spanish, but not here it doesnt. Shouting the word caralho, you release that negative energy. 30+ Spanish Slang Words and Phrases to Master | Take Lessons These Spanish slang words can be extremely helpful to add to your conversations, and can also help you understand what youre hearing in more casual Spanish language situations. It is Brazilian slang for a homosexual man, that is, the passive subject in the relationship. Playing around with new words is a great way to practice and develop your Spanish speaking skills. They grow and evolve on their own, spawning different versions of themselves. The idea? Are youdisgusted about something? amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; #c5dd0d; } Basically, any positive word you can think of. you scared me coming out from there, Hoy tengo que remar al trabajo I have to walk to work today. But Guatemalans also stick " a huevos " on the end of sentences to mean "for sure" or "I agree". To top things off, you say, Cmo te qued el ojo? background: #c5dd0d; } amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; This is a commonly heard insult from Chinese speakers. Here are some words and phrases to know: Ready to make good use of some of these nouns and phrases? Want to add some Spanish slang to your vocabulary? background: #c5dd0d; } Top 20 Guatemalan Words and Slang Expressions You Should Know 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. The literal translation is "Waters!" But of course, you don't just use it to tell people when there is water nearby. The primary and basic meaning of this word is cow.. Fun fact: It comes from a 1950s Mexican movie and really has nothing to do with Costa Rica. Here are some examples: So if youre learning Spanish by the book, you may find it difficult when you try to communicate with native speakers in casual settings. Maybe they picked up slang on the playground, from their other siblings, or even in pop culture like movies and TV shows. Please note Nica means both male and female. Your hands and back will be aching. amzn_assoc_linkid = "fcd7d61eae69fd11be85b996d0f89659"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "wwwgringoguid-20"; And who knows? Love can make us act crazy. If you want to practice before using curse words and make sure youre not going to offend anyone, maybe you should first consult with Guatemalans. Here, weve provided a list of. color: #00896e; In Portuguese, however, it can have more meanings. Common also in El Salvador. I really like this young Russian kid.. Esta fiesta es bien chola - This party is so tacky. Guatemalan Slang Terms Table of Contents 1) Cuate 2) Simn 3) Pisto 4) Dos que tres 5) Aguas! It means okay or alright. The exact strategies you need to become conversational in Spanish this year. Recommended: How to Learn Spanish Fast in 2023, Sidenote: This post is the latest post in a series where we explore slang for every Spanish speaking country. You can also insult your worst enemy with the same word, it depends in the tone. And your girlfriend? color: #c5dd0d; } Wanna curse like a Guatemalan? Aguas! Eat tons of plantainsfried with black beans and rice. amzn_assoc_asins = "1789194490"; color: #c5dd0d; } Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When someone says this to you, it means that you have to un-do your mess or at least clean up the mess youve made. const players199642 = Plyr.setup('.player199642', { background: #c5dd0d; } Chapn is a male from Guatemala, and chapina is a female. } Here are some of the most common words and phrases youll come across, along with a visual reminder below: To get a feel for using these words and phrases, h. that you can use in Argentina in South America. By Perfect Sunset SchoolCosta Rica language School. How is Nicaraguan Spanish different from other Spanish variations? I mean I know Americans who add subtitles when watching British shows on Netflix. Dont talk close to Marta because she is very nosey, Deja de entrometerte, no seas shute Mariano! amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Highlighting SOS Animales and Animal Rescue in Nicaragua. Understanding how natives refer to words like taxi and city bus will come in handy, especially when traveling around the country. 1-2% of the Guatemalan population. Below is a list of 37 user submitted swear words. 27 Central American Spanish Words And Phrases | www.centralamerica.com amzn_assoc_asins = "178657490X"; color: #00896e; Luego de salir de ac podemos ir a bajonear algo After were done here we can go to eat something, Ese bicho es mi vecino, siempre est jugando ah That kid there is my neighbor, hes always there playing, Psame dos de esos bolados, por favor Pass me two of those things, please, Qu cacaso esa pelcula, ni valio la entrada Man! Why do Salvadorans call themselves Guanacos? Me sobra algo de pisto, quieres algo de comer? A huevos (or Ahuevos): Huevos means eggs. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; El hijo de Pedro es un buen patojo! Down the line this word came to mean brother or brotherhood and ended up as Guanaco. Dictionary.com is not alone in letting the internet influence its offerings. Guatemalans. Nickname to describe people from Guatemala, non-derogratory used to describe themselves. Es el nico que tiene cuello. Government red tape is enough to drive anyone crazy. This is a slang expression for cash, so if youre going for a bite to eat or plan to catch a tuk-tuk(mototaxi), be sure you have some pisto in your pocket. Take Guatemala for instance. Dont be surprised if one day you ask a local how hes doing and his response is: Dos que tres. Happy about the dining venue some of the locals recommended? Although your grandmother or maybe your mother wont be happy to hear you say so Because it is kind of a bad word, but everyone is using it with their friends. Their acute sense of smell makes them ideal companions on the hunt. If you have, did you find them useful and amusing? 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. Well, thats not good.). amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Meet the local word for popcorn. Burra: This comes from burro (mule) and is the word Guatemalans use for bus. 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. Here's Why I Can't Wait To Go Back There. Imagine the scene: You are in a tight soccer game. Looks like a shortened version of the Spanish word for health (salud), but it actually means goodbye and might be derived from the French word Salut, which actually means Hi. .plyr--video .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { Here is an example of it being used in a bad manner: Marco es un cerote y no confo en l color: #00896e; They have their own slang for words like cool and dumb. Check out some of the words and phrases that Guatemalans use in everyday conversation. Camilo le est echando los perros a Mara. Jobs in Central America: Are You Looking? When a person is upset, he may throw his hat down in disgust. Some say its from the William Walker wars of the 19th century when Salvadoran troops used to meet under guanacaste trees. } .plyr__control{ Pedro qu cholo eres! 8) Cholo. Tapis: Tapis is about booze. } View. Cookies Policy. background: #c5dd0d; } One of the sadder sightsRead More Highlighting SOS Animales and Animal Rescue in Nicaragua. In truth, it is the exact opposite. Oxford University Press dubbed "goblin mode" word of the year, which is a piece of internet slang that rose to . After all, native speakers tend to use more informal words and phrases when in relaxed company. In this post, were presenting some of the most common words and phrases youll hear on the streets (and in the bars) of Guatemala. You can also use it when you have some intense emotions like frustration, anger, or surprise. It merely means so, so. The two as are only separated by a micropause, represented by an apostrophe. background: #c5dd0d; } Please go to web.baselang.com to log back in and re-subscribe. #c5dd0d; }. When youre done listening, make sure you check out our article on 12 Spanish speaking countries and some of their Popular slangs! amzn_assoc_asins = "159298553X"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B096SV8SJG"; That literally means he is hanging like a sausage in the store. background: #c5dd0d;} And thats where your connections come in. While you are going mad, learn these Guatemalan Spanish phrases. background: #c5dd0d;} About 13.7 million of the 17 million population speak Spanish. I Went To Belgium To Find Out After a 90-Day Lesson Streak, 19 Funny, Sarcastic, and No-Nonsense Trini Sayings Youll Want To Start Using Every Day, This Guide To British Sayings and Slang Will Have You Chitchatting With the Queen in a Snap, These Stunning Cabins Are the Ultimate Zion National Park Basecamps, 8 of the Coolest Airbnbs Near Disney World, Orlando, 8 La Condesa Airbnbs To Settle Into Mexico Citys Coolest Neighborhood, 5 Guatemala Volcano Hikes for Beginners and Experts Alike, Guatemala Has the Most Colorful Easter Traditions in theWorld. Vaina means thing, like when you dont know somethings name, or you do know it, but are too lazy to say it. color: #ffffff; In the western and northern departments of Guatemala "chamacos" is used to say children or kids. Chele/Chela: Chele comes from leche (milk swapping the syllables around). amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; Guaranteed. Another local word for girlfriend is giza, sometimes spelled wisa. This one is also quite simple, A Guatemalan slangword to say dog is chucho. Sausages here are not usually hidden away in a cooler, but prominently on display in a stores entrance. This construction was occasional in Old Spanish and still found in Judaeo-Spanish, but its frequency in El Salvador and Guatemala is due to similar constructions being found in various Mayan languages. Youll find Spanish slang words around the globe, as well as common expressions used in different Spanish-speaking cultures. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; In these languages dos que tres means some. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; 12 Guatemalan Slang Words and Phrases to Help You Speak Like a Local In this post, we're presenting some of the most common words and phrases you'll hear on the streets (and in the bars) of Guatemala. As you travel through Latin America, tone, accents, and even words in Spanish will vary. 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. When the head waiter realized the lack of attention, he bent over backwards to make things right. Alguien me dio el trabajo equivocado y no sabia. (Someone gave me the wrong job to do and I didnt know it was wrong.) Manuel, no seas culebra! } Shouting the word 'caralho,' you release that negative energy. That dude is my best friend!. In Ecuadorian slang, it refers to a person who has tacky behavior or bad taste. Like if someone throws a ball at you and someone wants to warn you, he/she would scream aguas!, or if a bus is going to run over you then someone will scream aguas with the bus!. It's best to merely describe it as an expression of wonderment and/or surprise. Y la traida? [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. Seguramente l te va a entender muy rpido porque es bien chispudo. Fantastic! .plyr__menu__container .plyr__control[role=menuitemradio][aria-checked=true]::before { Chero/Chera: No real meaning to this, but that doesnt matter. This form of address is likely a shortened form of muchachos and means you guys, but it encompasses much more than that. All the Guatemalan Slang Terms You Need to Know. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. In Mexican slang, this word is another term for a gangster. 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. If someone says that he has a clavo, it means that person has a problem or a difficult situation. Thats what happens when, because of perhaps a simple fender bender, the flow of traffic comes nearly to a halt, just so all the curious can get a gander at what happened. When you want to use it in a positive way, it can be translated as f*cking good..