This literally means to peel, but Guatemalans use it to refer to gossiping or talking behind someones back. However, it can have a stronger meaning, especially if said in an offensive tone. The word chispudo came from the word chispo, meaning spark. This is the most typical Guatemalan slang used to refer to another person from Guatemala. And not just communicate: when they see your knowledge and willingness to learn some of their colloquialisms, it is very likely that they will tell you some secrets about delicious food to eat, non-common places to visit to avoid typical tourist attractions and meet the real Guatemala. Literally, the wordtranslates to English asthorough, but in Guatemala its used much more loosely. Literally, it means Its so Friday, but its understood that Friday means old or something thats dull. Interestingly, this word is so common among the locals that you can hear it all over the country. Similar to Hey! in English. But its also a fun and interesting way to learn more about the language and culture. As you travel through Latin America, tone, accents, and even words in Spanish will vary. There is more to speaking a language than what comes in the typical textbook. These chili peppers were harvest this morning from our orchard-garden. Of all the Guatemalan words that weve learned, this is the spiciest. This blog is presented by BaseLang: Unlimited Spanish Tutoring for $149 a Month. The direct translation of this word is to suck, but it is used more commonly as an informal way to say drink or chug alcohol. 7) A huevos. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Now, lets take a deep dive into Guatemalan words and culture. If youre in a more formal situation, the official gentilicio is guatemalteco/a. (English translation: Not to know even a potato about something). But when a Guatemalan sicks his dogs on someone, he is on a different sort of huntone of love. This word refers to a stray dog. It is similar to the English Up, yours!. Just like sparks, this word is used for people who are smart, people who will react quickly and effectively. Its a synonym for chvere. Instead of this, you can also say Te voy a dar una hostia que in the meaning that you are going to hit someone(and then fill in the rest of the sentence.). Spanish learning travelers should pick it up pretty quickly, while those without experience with the language may struggle with pronunciation and use. Guati. Esta noche vamos a rumbear/tonear/carretear/parrandear/arrancar/farrear! Youll likely see appetizer-likeboquitasadvertised at restaurants or things like chips and nuts for sale at the small convenience stores. Its a playful way to call out on someone whos intruding in your life. Simn! (This music is good.). But, in Guatemala it is used like heads up!. Let's connect you with a hand-picked native-speaking tutor today. Guatemala is no different. Its not really an insult but more a term of endearment. Guatemalans. It is used between close friends but depending on the whole context and other words used, it can have a positive connotation but also be used as an insult, too. TermsPrivacy, Terms for our incredible guarantee can be read here. No seas shute, mi vida privada es privada. Insults and cussing someone out in Spanish arent the only funny thing you should learn. Irregular Verbs List Your payment is also fully transferrable, so a family member or friend can apply the value of your payment to their own program instead. If youre looking for the support of an incredible teacher, we can help. However, some of the native Mayan languages are still present in the region, so these languages, along with some Nahuatl vocabulary, make their way into modern-day Guatemalan Spanish (the only official language). In Guatemala, it can be a slang term for a dog. Careful crossing the Street, remember! Its used very casually, and if youre social during your stay, youll make a few cuates yourself. Imagine the situation: you are at the part, having a great time, dancing, the music is great. Though nail probably makes more sense if youre talking about something painful connecting two people. This guide to Guatemalan slang is for English speakers visiting Guatemala for the first time. Literally, it means It is so Friday. Los chapines son muy gentiles. It seems like the Spanish like to compare food and insults. So whether you want to travel to this tropical country, or you just want to impress some of your. No spam! This word literally means nail. For whatever slangy reason, its the word commonly used to declare theres a problem. They actually go out of their way to help you out, especially if they see that youre not from here. Pay attention to the intonation and non-verbal cues. If you want to learn more about Spanish-speaking culture, Frida Kahlo is one of the has a lot of different slang words that really make it stand out linguistically. When someone says theyre broke, they usually refer to it as pisto. However, Chapines use clavo when someone has a problem or a difficult situation. Their acute sense of smell makes them ideal companions on the hunt. A common Peruvian slang for saying hello that basically translates to, hello my friend! but doesnt make much literal sense if youre only familiar with traditional Spanish. If someone is bothering you, then this is one of the slang terms you can use to tell them to be quiet and go away. Don't believe it? For example, when you speak with the locals and when you discuss something that is logical, your speaker would say a huevos after you finish your discussion. (Download). Numbers Chart 1-100 Get the hell out of my way, b! So previously, we brought you Perus top slang terms to help you out when youre visiting the land of the Inca. Have you ever watched TED talks? Remember, the worst case scenario is you get a few free classes, dont like it, and end up with an extra $20 in the bank. Ask a Venezuelan How are you doing, and they may say Chvere. In Colombia, youll hear Qu chvere to show excitement for good news or Estuvo muy chvere to refer to something as cool. (English translation: I hope you get fucked by a fish!). ), Even in English, this insult sounds quite funny. 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. Felipe Parkhurst. This term isnt quite an insult, but is an alternative for calling someone nosey. Are you amazed by French spoken in Canada? Heres my advice: Eat tons of plantainsfried with black beans and rice. for a female. Its not offensive at all, but, If youre in a more formal situation, the official, doesnt exist in English, but it means the word used to refer to a group of people. If you are planning to visit some of the Vete a frer esprragos. This is a Guatemalan word for snack. Zero to conversational in a month. A post shared by La Tia Viajera-viajes (@chavoderichardson) on Aug 8, 2017 at 10:17am PDT. Be careful not to use this with elders or authority figures, as it wouldnt be appropriate. Vocabulary We have snacks and catering service. Required fields are marked *, With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. Estar salado, means to be salty and is used in Colombia, Ecuador, and Panam to describe someone who is unlucky. Deja de pelar, es grosero. For example, if youre about to cross the street without looking, someone might yell aguas! In countries outside of North and Central America, people will often use the word cuidado to have the same meaning. Also, a . The differences can be so extreme that you may find yourself completely lost even if Duolingo insists youre fluent; Chileans chop words up, remix them, and use a completely different localized vocabulary, for example. Like, the many ways of preparing eggs, huevos is the most versatile slang word for Guatemalans. Metro buses, chicken buses, minibusses, everything is burra. If someone poner los cachos which means to puts the horns on you. Its like saying something is awesome, or pretty good. The floor is wet 2) Charnel Dile a la brocha que necesitas ir a la calle Santander. But when it comes to Guatemalan words and slang, it means look out! This term is used throughout Central America and Mexico. Youre in this for life, my friend). Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! Camilo is dating Mara. Clavo literally means nail, but in Guatemalan slang, it could mean something close to having a problem, with something or someone. Land of eternal spring. El piso est mojado Careful! I ain't playin' b! For example, if someone tried to overcharge you on a job or at the market, you would call that person achucho. These are 10 slang words from the streets of Guatemala you should know if wanna sound like a native around Guatemalan people! The floor is wet, Todos los das voy al trabajo en mi charnel I go to work on my car every day, Me ests diciendo bochinche -Youre lying to me, Cuando sali el profesor se arm un bochinche Everyone started screaming when the teacher went out, Mientras vemos el partido podemos comer unas boquitas We can snack on something while we watch the game, Cuando subas le pagas al brocha When you go up, give the money to the brocha, Tuve que agarrar dos burras para llegar ac I had to take two buses to get here, Llegu cansado del trabajo, voy a ponerme mis caites Im came in tired from work, Im gonna put on some comfortable shoes (sandals), Llevo unos meses saliendo con una canche Ive been dating a blonde girl for the past few months, Lo que te dije hace rato era pura casaca, quera ver como reaccionabas What I told you a while ago were all lies, I just wanted to see how youd react, Yo me puedo quedar haciendo este trabajo que es una casaca I can keep doing this job, its really easy, Cuando viaj a Estados Unidos conoca a un chapn casi con cada cuadra que caminaba When I traveled to the US I met a Guatemalan almost every block I walked, Ese bolso est bien chilero That bag is really cool, Deja de chincharme que tengo trabajo qu hacer Stop bothering me, I have work to do, Daniel es un nio muy chispudo, le va bien en el colegio Daniel is a really smart kid, hes doing great in school, Dejaste todas tus chivas en el escritorio You left all your stuff at the desk, Nos encontramos un chucho muy lindo en la calle We found a really cute dog on the street, Tienen un clavo desde ese da They have had a problem since that day, Tenemos dos racimos de majunche por madurar ac We have two hands of bananas that still arent ripe enough, Hay unos patojos jugando al ftbol en la calle There are some kids playing soccer on the street, l siempre acta como un pedorro con nosotros He always gets all boastful with us, Mara se la pasa pelando con cualquiera Mara is always gossiping with anyone, Esta semana ha sido puro peluche en la oficina, estamos esperando ordenes de arriba Weve been doing nothing this week at the office, were still waiting for orders from the higher-ups, Ya no me queda pisto, mejor nos vamos I dont have any money left, lets leave, Sho! Bus, a common form of transport here and a term that many locals will use with a sarcastic dose of disdain. English Links - Study Abroad - Learning English Video Project (My best friend is a blondie. my boss messed up and hes blaming me for it. All Rights Reserved. But of course, you dont just use it to tell people when there is water nearby. She majored in Communications and strives to help others improve their lives. Tengo un gran clavo con mi familia. Estuvo buena la fiesta? You can use this in different contexts, but most frequently it is used with friends when you want to tell them to stop talking and listen to you. So naturally, this is one of the Spanish-speaking countries that have, This is a common expression that Guatemalans share with their, But of course, you dont just use it to tell people when there is water nearby. The chicken buses in Guatemala are epic. Used asslang for snack food, or more commonly for appetizers before lunch or dinner. All rights reserved. So, literally, the word means dog, but its used to refer to a greedy person. This is slang for money. Therefore, if you say to someone to comb light bulbs, theres obviously something wrong with them. (She told me a lie about her family. Guatemalans. But is this really true? Here is one more insult that concerns food. Ill go immediately. Pisto is Guatemalan slang for money or cash, and always refers to physical money. Have you ever watched TED talks? In the rest of the. But thats part of the joy of learning a language. Its like saying dude or bro. Have you thought about visiting Guatemala? Casaca is a slang term, with two very concrete meanings the first one being a lie, and the second, as an expression used when something is really easy to do. In slang, it is used in contexts to explain when something is boring and old-fashioned. They are old school buses that have been remodeled into public buses. Have you thought about visiting Guatemala? FluentU brings Spanish to life with real-world videos. Prepositions of Time at in on Literally, the word can be translated as a dog but in slang, this word describes a nasty and greedy person. Mayan culture, lakes, rainforests to amazing modern places in A word or phrase used to describe someone in a negative way or to talk to someone abusively. Guatemala, a small country south of Mexico, has a lot of different slang words that really make it stand out linguistically. 6) Chapino, chapina, or chapines. This phrase is commonly used to refer to something thats cool or awesome when youre talking, especially as an interjection. If you need a quick little snack, this is the word for you. Youll hear this in Colombia, Argentina, and Panama. Adding Guatemalan words to your vocabulary will make your Spanish richer. (English translation: Although a monkey dresses in silk, it stays a monkey). Chapn for a male and Chapina for a female. Custom-tailored to fit your needs, you choose your program, schedule, favorite teachers, pace of learning, and more.. The different villages have unique patterns and colors, and they all catch your eye. However, we dont need any additional explanations when we say in English Donkeys know more than you, right? Dont start running if you hear someone say te va a echar los perros, which translates to someone throwing dogs on you. The word patojo is used when you want to tell someone hes a kid. A post shared by Maximo Nivel (@maximoabroad) on Oct 28, 2016 at 12:23pm PDT. Plural?. Let us know in a comment. Slang for comfortable, sandal-like shoes normally worn at home. Of course not. A post shared by Maximo Nivel (@maximoabroad) on May 16, 2016 at 9:48am PDT. Youll often hear them referred to as aburra, from the wordburro(donkey), but this is actually the word for any type of bus. If you begin your program, but you must return home before your program end date, Maximo Nivel provides you with a Credit Letter pro-rated from your last day in the program. Commonly heard in Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panam, Per, and Venezuela. Slang term used by Guatemalans, to talk about other Guatemalans, in a non-offensive way. Please contact support. It is derived from chile which is a hot pepper in Guatemala and you use it to mean awesome!. Ask a Tico, how are you doing? and theyll answer pura vida. The expression fills you with energy and happiness. And even if you dont plan to visit Guatemala, learning these slang words and phrases is equally useful for any Spanish learner, therefore for you, too. This one can mean one of two things. These Guatemalan words and slang will not only make you sound cool but also help you get around! If youre traveling throughout the region, slang words play a large role in social interaction and culture. While verga (pronounced like 'burger') is a generic slang term for 'penis', it also features in some regularly used phrases, the first of which is vales verga.This more or less translates to 'you're useless' (or more literally, 'you're worth dick'). Cerote. 1-2% of the Guatemalan population. In English, the ideal equivalent is awesome or pretty. Similar to "dude" in English, "gey" is commonly used for friends or acquaintances, and in some unpleasant situations, refers to strangers in a sarcastic way. (I take a bus to work.). , it can have a stronger meaning, especially if said in an. I've heard the term used as a name for . In Argentina, the expression is a bit fancier, as they will throw . So, burra could be literally translated as a female donkey. (He tried to charge me 100 quetzals, what a cheapskate!). The best thing is that you dont need an So if you go visit, make sure you show off your knowledge. , get ready to learn some Guatemalan slang. "'ScoMo' should become Australia's worst insult. FluentU is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. It means something much less adventurous: lets go to work. Camello is the word for a job in Colombia and Ecuador. Arrunchmonos or hagamos plan arrunche means to snuggle or spoon. This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you If you want to discover them, then you should consult Quick Bites on a Budget in Antigua, Guatemala, Spanish Immersion: Where to Learn Spanish in Latin America, How to Pack for Your Gap Year in Latin America. June 22, 2022; Posted by camber gauge oreillys; 22 . 21 Spanish-speaking countries, we have a proposal for you. No matter Spanish is the official language of Guatemala and youll. A car is coming.). These Guatemalan words and slang will not only make you sound cool but also help you get around! And if youre looking to further your Spanish speaking skills, sign up for a free class to talk with one of our native-speaking teachers from Guatemala today and immerse yourself in the beauty of Spanish. It means to pamper or coddle. We can eat some snacks while we watch Netflix. No tengo pisto hasta que me paguen. Yes! At first, saying someone to go and fry : sometimes you just need to be the loudest of your friends when speaking Spanish if you want to get everyones attention. Tonight we are going to a party!. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. Also used in Venezuela when referring to chaos and disorder. A la verga is also one you'll want to listen out for; when used as an exclamatory, it's a catch-call response that can . 9) Burra. 1. Well, it is believed that in the old times people were only boiling it, and not frying, so they thought it was a waste of time. ), When faced with an event thats kind of a drag, locals often say,Ser muy viernes.. But it can also be used as an adjective for someone who is greedy and cheap. Spanish tutors. WH- Question Words Last edited on Mar 07 2018. 12 Common Hand Gestures in the US That Will Insult People in Other Countries. Group ClassesTrue immersion in a peer-led environment Program fees are non-refundable, however if you must cancel your program for any reason, Maximo Nivel issues a Credit Letter equal to 100% of what you have paid. You have to know before you go that the chicken buses in Guatemala are the workhorses of the transportation system. Slang words play a large role in social interaction and culture in Latin America. Chapn / Chapina This is the unofficial Spanish word for a person from Guatemala. Check out this list of some of the most common Californian phrases you might need to translate. Que Huevon. Although most Latin American countries share the mother tongue of Spanish, there are countless dialects and certain words that have completely different meanings from one place to another. Things like Englishmen or Spaniards would be examples of gentilicios. It means hello, goodbye, great, thank you, youre welcome, nice to meet you. Aguas cruzando la calle, recuerda! It shows that that person doesnt have any idea how to do anything well. ), It can mean a big piece of excrement, but its often used between very close friends as a stand-in for the word dude.. So, you want to know how to curse in Spanish? Nickname to describe people from Guatemala, non-derogratory used to describe themselves. Commonly if someone feels ashamed, he/she will say Qu oso/foca!. Knowing a languages slang will bring you a whole new level of understanding and ability to connect with the natives. When it comes to learning a foreign language, many people think that kids are better at language learning than adults. l trat decobrarme 100 quetzales; qu chucho! a selfish, unpleasant, obnoxious person ass-kisser someone who says nice things to someone in order to get something from them bastard an unpleasant, despicable person bimbo a pretty, but empty-headed, young lady bugger (1) a disliked or pitiful person, usually a man chicken a coward (n.) | cowardly (adj.) As a Guatemalan, I know and use them all the time. Youll need some pisto for beer, food, or to get into the museum. Popular @ EnglishClub: Canche means blonde and its a common nickname and term of endearment used in Guatemala. It is Mexicos neighboring country, placed in central America and of the countries where you can practice your Spanish skills with the locals. Twitter - Facebook 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. 5) Aguas! There are some kids playing soccer on the street. you can put lipstick on a pig, but its still a pig. A word used as an alternative for kid or child. Its a colloquial way to say be quiet!, listen here!, or even shut up!. Voy al cine con mis cuates. (I will buy a new car when I finish school. While this word literally translates to nail, in Guatemala it takes on a very different meaning. People are different, and if you dont know a person well, they may be quite offended, and perhaps they will want to offend you back, even physically. This is Guatemalan slang term for anyone with blonde or light colored hair. 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. But careful with this one, its considered rude. Tengo un clavo con mi coche. They come in different shapes and colors, and you can find them throughout the country. They are really hard-working animals and dont deserve to be in an insult. For example, when you have to pay for the meal at the restaurant and the waiter wants to overcharge you, you can call him chuco. Besides practicing and learning Spanish, the language spoken by more than 400 million people worldwide on every continent, it is great to boost your vocabulary, improve speaking skills both with It is similar to do you get it?. (Do you have cash for the market? So really, you have to pay attention to the context if you want to understand the conversation. This word is at the forefront of Mexican slang. You wont learn these things in school, so weve made a list of the most often used insults in Spanish and situations when you can use them. 12 Common Hand Gestures in the US That Will Insult People in Other Countries, 29 Phrases To Get You Started Learning Pidgin English, Does Duolingo Actually Work? if youre interested in their unique transportation system. Chispa mean spark, and so chispudois something along the lines of sparky and used to refer to someone who responds to requests quickly, or that will grasp complicated concepts faster than the average. (The kids go to school Monday through Friday.). Your Credit Letter is valid towards Volunteer Abroad, International Internship, TEFL Certification, Spanish Immersion, Gap Year, and Study Abroad programs. When someone is extremely nosy and they want to know everything about everyone, they are shutes. For example: Hacer la foca or make the seal is used in the same context in Ecuador. 3. Chapn/Chapina. Now you should be ready to use all of your Guatemalan slang on the street or on the chicken bus. In Colombia hacer una vaca or make a cow has nothing to do with animal testing or cloning, it means to collect money from a group of people for a specific purpose, usually to purchase alcohol. This is what youll login in with. Youll hear it in different contexts and scenarios, as the expression applies to any kind of problem. Each day for six days, well send e-books and audio lessons directly to your inbox to help you get a basic foundation for the language, FREE! This refers to someone who is blonde and is often used as a term of endearment. Be careful, when advising someone or giving advice. Boquitos comes from the diminutive form of "boca" (mouth). Traes pisto para el taxi? Each often shows unique linguistic phenomena that vary in form and content. Hacer el oso or make the bear in Colombia means to do something embarrassing. Peeling and cutting an onion always makes you cry, whether you like it or not. Stay tune for upcoming Guatemalan slang words like: Aguas, chilazo, chis, chaye, chispudo, taliste, puchica .