One of the particularities you can get in the slang of a country is the phenomenon of creating new words by inverting or changing the order of the original. These new inverted words keep the same meaning as the original one. Argentina was the first country where Jared identified 24 inverted words and dedicated a section in his book Speaking Argento.
I was surprised to see that there are a few inverse words that are used in Colombian Spanish slang. These examples were taken from the ebook Quick Guide to Colombian Spanish.
6 Inverse Colombia Spanish Slang Words
1. mujer (woman):
Inverse the syllables to form jermu. Another word in Colombia for woman is vieja that means “old lady.”
Example:
No me molestes la jermu.
Don’t bother the woman.
2. la cabeza (the head):
Shuffle the syllables to form la bezaca. If you forget the order, you can also use the synonym el coco.
Example:
Se emborrachó, se cayó y se pegó en la bezaca.
He got drunk, fell and hit his head.
3. camisa (shirt):
This 3-syllable word changes to misaca.
Example:
Hay que poner misaca para entrar a la Iglesia.
You need to put a shirt on to go in the church.
4. vuelta (errand):
Inverse the syllables to form the new word tavuel. Vuelta literally means “turn” but in Colombia also means something you have to go out and do.
Example:
Voy al centro para hacer una tavuel para mi mamá.
I am going to the market (downtown or shopping mall) to do an errand for my mom.
5. borracho (drunk):
A word for drunk is choborro. This one has a little twist because the letter A changes to an O. You can also say prendido and embellecido.
Example:
Yo no me acuerdo de nada porque ayer estaba todo choborro.
I don’t remember anything because yesterday I was drunk.
6. suerte (goodbye):
This word changes to tesuer and you can use it instead of “goodbye” or “see you later.” The literal English translation of suerte in Spanish is “luck.”
Example:
Adiós gente, tesuer.
Bye people, see you later.
Do you use inverse words in your country? How about any more inverse words from Colombia?
Check out these other Colombia Spanish Slang Word articles.
Featured photo credit: nickwheeleroz via photo pin cc
