Are you amazed by French spoken in Canada? You might already be confident in your Spanish skills and know somesuper cool phrases, but we all know that sometimes thats not enough to ensure clear communication. First, Spanish is spoken by over400 million people worldwideand is the official language of more than 20 countries. After all, native speakers tend to use more informal words and phrases when in relaxed company. [citation needed] The words used to describe children (or kids) vary among the countries in Central America; in Guatemala they are often called patojos. Another similar but far less common expression in the eastern part of the country is Me agarraste de tu arce. .plyr__control--overlaid:hover { Manuel, dont be such a minion! Together they make up only about 8% of the Spanish-speaking world. Here, we will cover 10 of some of the most popular slang words straight outta Guatemala. This is what youll login in with. A: Cmo est tu abuelito? amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Do not use it, unless you want to come across as a crass, classless low-life. The same idea can be shortenedto est colgado. Youll also make your experience abroad much more authentic. #c5dd0d; }, La subida a la montaa estuvo bien cerota. Understanding how natives refer to words like taxi and city bus will come in handy, especially when traveling around the country. .plyr__menu__container .plyr__control[role=menuitemradio][aria-checked=true]::before { In English, the phrase can be translated as no f*cking way., Therefore, it can be used in the same situation as you would use the English version. Its but a metaphor for a life of ease. A Miguel le da clavo bailar en frente de los paps de su novia. After that, its just $149/mo for unlimited one-on-one tutoring. Pisto is Guatemalan slang for "money" or "cash." If you get into a tuk-tuk or cab, the driver might ask you if you have enough pisto to pay; some cafs and restaurants ask to be paid only in pisto. It is not an insult, but it is not too friendly either. Here are 14 commonly used Guatemalan slang words and phrases you don't want to miss out. Pues estaba en la olla en mi trabajo. ( Well I was in a bad situation at my job.) If you need a Portuguese phrase, the meaning of the word has likely to replace the English what the f*ck, this is the one. #c5dd0d; } Burra volcanic iceland epic trip Meet our Local Insider Hanna how long have you been a guide? Just like you learned your native tongue, native Spanish speakers learned formal Spanish in school and the more conversational aspects of the language outside of the classroom. .plyr__control[data-plyr="play"]{ The most common is to use it as buddy dude and similar. Nice! This one seems to have several meanings across South America, but in Salvadoran slang, it means good, perfect, or great. button.plyr__control:hover{ For that reason, if someone says, Me hice un queso, it means he went out of his way to please. But the Guatemalan term is far more colorful. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; .plyr--video .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { It can be used in many different situations, describing a persons appearance, bad habits, but as slang, it refers to a persons intimate body parts. They grow and evolve on their own, spawning different versions of themselves. Take Guatemala for instance. [8], A number of words widely used in Guatemala which have Mayan or other native origins, in particular names for flora, fauna and toponyms. Shuco is also used for Guatemalan hot dog. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Here are 27 of the most common. Camilo le est echando los perros a Mara. color: #00896e; .plyr__control{ Ever peel a stack of potatoes? #c5dd0d; }, Ese cerote es mi mejor amigo! Nada, solo aqui pensando. (Nothing, just thinking.) When it comes to learning a foreign language, many people think that kids are better at language learning than adults. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. } Its literal meaning is NAIL, but in Guatemalan slang it means two different things. Love can make us act crazy. 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. "PUCHICA" is a Guatemalan slang word that we use every day. If you want to practice before using curse words and make sure youre not going to offend anyone, maybe you should first consult with Because Mexico is just across the border from the U.S., you might even hear some Mexican Spanish slang used in the states among native speakers. amzn_assoc_asins = "B08N5LNQCX"; vocabulary in different regions and countries. Ok! Camilo is dating Mara. You have to know before you go that the chicken buses in Guatemala are the workhorses of the transportation system. amzn_assoc_linkid = "c3c2c8d6df89e6fde71cd873f9b01b29"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "wwwgringoguid-20"; At last count, there were nearly 17 million people living in Guatemala, so that gives you plenty of opportunity to try them out! Compared to other swear words, this one is pretty strong and not often used as the other ones. The second meaning, is that if someone is having clavo means that the person is ashamed or embarrassed of a situation or person. Pisto: A unique Honduran term for money (also used in El Salvador and Guatemala). Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! .plyr--audio .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { To walk a long way, for quite a long time. This archaic Spanish word for girlfriend never went out of style in Guatemala. Nica: This is easy. Here is a sample conversation using Argentinian Spanish slang: Como va?(How are you?) 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. Very likely it is an example of onomatopoeia, that is, a word that mimics the sounds associated with the word itself. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; Hes the only one with pull. Let us know! Learn more here. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; background: #c5dd0d; } So if you hear armar un desmadre, this something is about to become a complete shitshow. Thats why these days few are willing to do it. background: #c5dd0d;} No hables cerca de Marta porque es bienshute Which means it also means balls in a lot of Spanish slang. In this instance, its a little derogatorybut sometimes its a term of endearment! Shouting the word caralho, you release that negative energy. Dont provoke Raul, he is a trouble-maker Double hit today for the Guatemalan Slang category.. Shuco(a) is the Guatemalan slang for dirty. Algo pas?(Did something happen?) Thisis the perfect thing to say to a child who is about to stick something filthy in his mouth. Complimenting an event or meal is a sure way to make new friends, so use this word often. However, because of this very merit, it's a little difficult to pin down one concrete definition for it. See Also: 14 Venezuelan Slang Words. This idiom means to date. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; And, last of all, learn some street talk to converse with the locals. 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.. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Boy, thats a really beautiful jacket! amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; Learn how to. Thats life. Vaina: Another vague one here. Wanna curse like a Guatemalan? 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. controls:[ The nosy person similarly sticks his nose in where it doesnt belong and causes great figurative pain. In the Garden of Eden, it was the snake that approached Eve, pretending to be her friendalbeit with ulterior motives. Est bien chilero, vaa? } .plyr__control{ color: #00896e; It's filled with raw emotion, music and background sounds to make you feel as though you were truly a part of the environment. 19 Funny, Sarcastic, and No-Nonsense Trini Sayings You'll Want To Start Using Every Day. Over 20 countries have Spanish as their official language, and all these countries have made the language their own, in their own ways. color: #00896e; Nickname to describe people from Guatemala, non-derogratory used to describe themselves. Instead, Chapn refers to a Guatemalan male and Chapina to a female. Since chile means hot pepper in English, you might imagine this a fiery word. A: Hows your grandpa doing? [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. /*Secondery*/ The driving test is very hard., Your browser does not support the audio element. Enjoy! TRAVEL A Solo Traveller's Guide to Nicaragua. background: #c5dd0d; } .plyr--audio .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { After logging in you can close it and return to this page. This more or less translates to 'you're useless' (or more literally, 'you're worth dick'). Local words include, There are also many words unique to Central America, for example, chunche or chochadas or babosadas means "thing" or stuff in some places. This is classic trash talk, Guatemalan style. In Guatemala and Honduras the word giros is also used. We often say that a good way to befriend a native Spanish speaker is to use their local slang and in this post, well tell you the 25 most common Salvadoran slang words that you should know if you ever meet a local from El Salvador. I have some money to spare, want to grab a bite? Qu boleta! (How embarrassing!). Voice acted by Latino actors and actresses to help improve your Spanish comprehension in a way that engages and amuses. 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. Afro-Guatemalans are Guatemalans of African descent. Un poquito enojado con mi novia.(A little mad at my girlfriend.) Literally, this phrase means uns*it yourself.. used in different Spanish-speaking cultures. This word, Guatemalanuse a lot and has several different meanings. Bueno, nos vemos maana, salu! Also used in Colombia and Venezuela with some variations. No spam! Have you thought about visiting Guatemala? You disgust me! But its nothing whatsoever to do with anything in English. 2. He is fattened, slaughtered, and taken to market, where every part of his body will be quartered and sold. 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. I am aware that a good number of the buses arent running. 'play', 'progress', 'mute', 'volume', ], .plyr--full-ui input[type=range]{ We had problems creating your account. Well, see you tomorrow, bye man! You can sign up for online Spanish lessons to make learning Spanish easier and more convenient than ever. Of course, its literal translation is water, but when you hear it spoken loudly it means that danger is approaching. This word literally means nail. For whatever slangy reason, its the word commonly used to declare theres a problem. Very useful! 1. Making cheese isnt easy. Like on the end of every sentence if youre talking to anyone over the age of 40 and between every other word if youre talking to someone under the age of 40. .plyr--full-ui input[type=range] { amzn_assoc_asins = "0615897509"; Shouting the word 'caralho,' you release that negative energy. Central America has its fair share of slang, too. .plyr__control--overlaid:hover { background: #c5dd0d; } Felipe Parkhurst. Salvadoran slang for something that is sad, extremely poorly done, looks ugly or perhaps is very boring. background: #c5dd0d; } Youll hear and see this word all over Guatemala. .plyr--video .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { 'play', 'progress', 'mute', 'volume', ], Therefore, this sentence would sound like Porra'' mano!. Pretend youre having a conversation with a native Guatemalan and youve just said something completely logical, expected even. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "wwwgringoguid-20"; #c5dd0d; }, Le quiero regalar un chucho a mi hijo para navidad This type of people, Guatemalans call brincones. Government red tape is enough to drive anyone crazy. 14 Guatemalan Slang Words & Phrases For Every Spanish Learner. The word caralho is commonly used to describe a males intimate organ. const players199642 = Plyr.setup('.player199642', { Note: Chuleta can also mean the exact opposite like when youre excited about something. Chele/Chela: Chele comes from leche (milk swapping the syllables around). In truth, it is the exact opposite. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; If youre tired of sticking to your textbook, it might be time to branch out and learn some new phrases. 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, here is an example conversation where you can see some slang in action: Mijo!(My son!) HOW CANyou make yourGuatemalanSpanish moreauthentic? background: #c5dd0d;} Here are the phrases being repeated by a native from Guatemala. This is a common expression that Guatemalans share with their northern neighbors. One writer complained that the service at one hotel was so bad he had to get up and pick up the plates himself. Want to see how to use some of these words and phrases in conversation? A huevos (or Ahuevos): Huevos means eggs. Luis se meti en un gran clavo con la polica!. Also, like Catracho in Honduras, Nicas use it to describe anything Nicaraguan. In Guatemala and El Salvador, indefinite articles are commonly placed before a possessive pronoun, as in una mi tacita de caf lit. Languages are funny, arent they? El piso est mojado - Careful! background: #c5dd0d;} Guatemalan Slang Terms Table of Contents 1) Cuate 2) Simn 3) Pisto 4) Dos que tres 5) Aguas! background: #c5dd0d; } Unlimited one-on-one classes for a flat rate. Your shoes are pretty cool!. 4. .plyr__menu__container .plyr__control[role=menuitemradio][aria-checked=true]::before { 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! While many a Spanish-speaker has gushedover hisgirlfriend, or novia, in Guatemala men strut down the street with their traida in hand. .plyr--full-ui input[type=range] { If someone says that he has a clavo, it means that person has a problem or a difficult situation. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; used in the states among native speakers. In Gritty Spanish Part I, a Guatemalan voice actor used Ceroteto describe a police officer, he doesnt like, basically called him a Pig. } } guaranteed, You can also use it when you have some intense emotions like frustration, anger, or surprise. This form of address is likely a shortened form of muchachos and means you guys, but it encompasses much more than that. It means that the personfeels you are taking advantage of him. Yuca: Literally yucca (the vegetable). color: #00896e; Que sopa: Sopa means soup in Spanish, but not here it doesnt. color: #00896e; .plyr--full-ui input[type=range] { Dont forget to practice these if youre traveling to Guatemala soon! [citation needed] It includes the use of the second-person singular personal pronoun vos alongside the standard Spanish second-person singular pronouns t and usted to form a three-level system of second-person singular address.[3]. Tuanis comes from military code created by 19th centurySalvadoran General Francisco Malespn, where he swapped around syllables to words to create new ones. background: #c5dd0d; } Be sure to heed the contextjust goes to show that sometimes a dog is more than a dog! Here are some words and phrases to know: Ready to make good use of some of these nouns and phrases? Aguas! amzn_assoc_linkid = "5884666d8ab86e0743ca8341737d272c"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "wwwgringoguid-20"; Have you ever watched TED talks? 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. 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. Nicais short for Nicaraguense (Nicaraguan). amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Then, when a tasty specimen is in reach, their extremely long tongues rocket out and nab the unsuspecting victim. .plyr--audio .plyr__control[aria-expanded=true] { Their acute sense of smell makes them ideal companions on the hunt. See that? Weve chosen 20 commonly used Portuguese swear words used both in Brazil and Portugal. When faced with an event thats kind of a drag, locals often say,Ser muy viernes. Literally, it means Its so Friday, but its understood that Friday means old or something thats dull.