Every country has a flag, food and symbols that identify them. But what about a single word? During the 6th International Congress of the Spanish Language (VI Congreso Internacional de la Lengua Española) celebrated in Panama, the blog Papeles Perdidos, created by the newspaper El País, published an atlas of the representative words of Spanish-speaking […]
12 Peru Spanish Slang Words from Proper Names
While reviewing the book Quick Guide to Peruvian Spanish some cool Peru Spanish slang terms caught my attention. These terms are proper names that have taken on another meaning in the local Spanish. Knowing these phrases, when you travel to Peru you will avoid getting confused when you hear these names: 12 Proper Names That […]
10 Reverse Peru Spanish Slang Words
Changing the order of the syllables of a word to create a new one is a form of Spanish slang in some countries. In past articles, we have featured a list of 25 lunfardo inverse words from Argentina and also 6 examples of reverse words from Colombia. Going through the book Quick Guide to Peruvian […]
7 Peru Spanish Slang Words to Impress Your Friends
Guest post: This is an article from Daniel McKay whose personal experience with Spanish is similar to mine. He learned Spanish as an adult, has traveled significantly in South America and ran into basic confusions with Spanish when he landed for an extended period in Peru. The result of this experience is his book ¿Quién […]
10 Vulgar Spanish Slang Words and Phrases from Peru: Infographic
If you are in the process of learning Spanish and plan to travel to Peru, keep in mind the following list of dirty Spanish slang words and phrases. It is good to know them in case you are insulted or want to insult somebody. These 10 sayings from Peru are too strong to be taught […]
3 Regional Peru Spanish Characteristics
Perú, like in the wide variety of food that it offers, also has different regional accents. People in the Highland areas, people in the north, people in the south and people from the Jungle each have their own accent. Peruvian Accent in the Highland Areas Emphasis on the S: One main characteristic is that the […]
choborra
A colloquial term used to describe a person who is drunk or intoxicated. Examples Spanish: No quiero hablar con él, está muy choborra. English: I don't want to talk to him, he's very drunk.
alverjas
A colloquial term for peas in certain Latin American countries, especially in Colombia. Examples Spanish: Voy a cocinar un guiso de alverjas para la cena. English: I'm going to cook a pea stew for dinner.
manya!
A term primarily used in Peru which means 'understand' or 'get it'. It's often used to confirm someone's comprehension or agreement. Examples Spanish: ¿Manya lo que te digo? English: Do you understand what I'm telling you?
ta mare
A shortened form of 'tu madre', which is equivalent to 'your mother'. In slang, it's often used as an insult or an expression of frustration, similar to 'damn it' in English. Examples Spanish: ¡Ta mare, se me olvidó el informe en casa! English: Damn it, I left the report at home!
roto
In Spanish slang, 'roto' is an informal term often used in Chile and Peru referring to a common, ordinary person. It can also carry a somewhat derogatory meaning, referring to someone of low socioeconomic status or manners. Examples Spanish: Ese roto no sabe comportarse en lugares públicos. English: That commoner doesn't know how to behave […]
torreja
A term primarily used in Central America, especially in El Salvador, to refer to a slice of bread soaked in milk, then in beaten eggs and finally fried. It's a traditional dessert or breakfast dish, similar to French toast. Examples Spanish: Para el desayuno de mañana, quiero preparar torrejas con jarabe de arce. English: For […]
trusa
A slang term commonly used in Mexico, Central America, and some parts of South America to refer to swimsuits or underwear. Examples Spanish: No olvides empacar tu trusa para las vacaciones en la playa. English: Don't forget to pack your swimsuit for the beach vacation.
yapa
An extra or a small gift given by a seller to a buyer, usually upon purchasing something. It's commonly used in Andean regions of Latin America. Examples Spanish: Después de comprar todas las frutas, el vendedor me dio una manzana como yapa. English: After buying all the fruits, the seller gave me an apple as […]
yapla
A slang term most commonly used in Peru, 'yapla' is a playful and informal way to describe someone who is lazy or a slacker. Examples Spanish: ¡Deja de ser un yapla y ponte a trabajar! English: Stop being a slacker and get to work!
yunta
In Spanish slang, 'yunta' generally refers to a close friend, partner or companion. It was originally used to describe a pair of animals that work together, like oxen. Examples Spanish: Voy a salir a tomar algo con mi yunta esta noche. English: I'm going to go out for a drink with my close friend tonight.
paja
In Spain, 'paja' is a slang term that is commonly used to refer to laziness, procrastination or doing nothing. However, in some Latin American countries, it can have a vulgar connotation referring to masturbation. Examples Spanish: No quiero hacer nada hoy, estoy en modo paja. English: I don't want to do anything today, I'm in […]
pajearse
A vulgar term for male masturbation Examples Spanish: No me molestes, estoy ocupado. ¡Parece que te estás pajeando todo el día! English: Don't bother me, I'm busy. It seems like you're jerking off all day!
pajero
In some Spanish-speaking countries like Spain, 'pajero' is a slang term used to refer to a lazy person. However, in some Latin American countries, it may have a vulgar connotation, implying someone who is deceitful or a liar. Examples Spanish: No seas pajero, levántate y ayúdame con esto. English: Don't be lazy, get up and […]
paletear
A colloquial term in some Latin American countries that means 'to flirt' or 'to court someone'. It's often used to describe the act of subtly showing romantic or sexual interest in someone. Examples Spanish: Juan está paleteando a Maria desde hace rato en la fiesta. English: Juan has been flirting with Maria for a while […]
papá
In Spanish slang, 'papá' is often used to refer to a person who is the boss, leader, or simply the best at something. It is a term of respect and admiration. Examples Spanish: Ese jugador de fútbol es el papá de todos los demás en la cancha. English: That soccer player is the boss of […]
picarse
A term that's commonly used to describe someone getting upset or annoyed, often due to a competitive situation or being the subject of a joke. Examples Spanish: Se picó porque perdió el partido de fútbol. English: He got upset because he lost the football match.
piquito
A diminutive term for a small kiss, often used affectionately or playfully. Examples Spanish: Dame un piquito antes de que te vayas. English: Give me a little kiss before you go.
pirulín
In Spanish slang, 'pirulín' usually refers to a lollipop or candy. Sometimes it is used affectionately to refer to a little boy. Examples Spanish: 1. ¿Quieres un pirulín? Me sobraron muchos después de la fiesta. 2. El pirulín de la casa está creciendo muy rápido. English: 1. Do you want a lollipop? I have a […]
poncho
In most Spanish-speaking countries, 'poncho' is not a slang term. It is a traditional garment used to keep warm, typically a large piece of cloth with a hole in the middle for the head. However, in Argentina, 'poncho' is also used as a slang term referring to a brave or tough person. Examples Spanish: Juan […]
aguja
In Spanish slang, 'aguja' literally translates to 'needle'. However, it is also used metaphorically to refer to a person who is very slim. Examples Spanish: Juan es tan delgado, parece una aguja. English: Juan is so slim, he looks like a needle.
asado
A term commonly used in South America, especially in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, and Peru, referring to a range of barbecue techniques and the social event of having or attending a barbecue. Examples Spanish: Este fin de semana, mi familia y yo vamos a hacer un asado en casa. English: This weekend, my family […]
atracar
In Spanish slang, 'atracar' typically means to rob or mug someone. But in a more casual context, it can also mean to kiss passionately or make out. Examples Spanish: 1. El ladrón atracó el banco a plena luz del día. 2. Anoche, Juan y María se atracaron en la fiesta. English: 1. The thief robbed […]
bataclana
A derogatory term usually used in Argentina to describe a woman who dresses in a flashy or vulgar manner and often behaves inappropriately. It can also refer to a female performer, especially a singer or dancer in a cabaret. Examples Spanish: Esa mujer es una bataclana, siempre vistiendo de manera llamativa y comportándose de manera […]
bicicleta
In Spanish slang, 'bicicleta' often refers to a person who is deceptive, dishonest, or a trickster. Examples Spanish: No confíes en él, es una bicicleta. English: Don't trust him, he's a trickster.