The Spanish slang 'echar la foca' translates to 'scold' or 'yell at someone' in English. It is used when someone is very angry and shouts at someone else. Examples Spanish: Mi madre me echó la foca por llegar tarde a casa. English: My mother scolded me for coming home late.
Chilean Spanish
Chilean Spanish has a great deal of distinctive slang and vocabulary. Some examples of distinctive Chilean slang include gallo/a (guy/gal), fome (boring), pololear (to go out as girlfriend/boyfriend), pelambre (gossip), poto (buttocks), quiltro (mutt) and chomba (knitted sweater). In addition, several words in Chilean Spanish are borrowed from neighboring Amerindian languages.
In Chile, there are few differences between the Spanish spoken in the Northern, Central and Southern areas of the country, although there are notable differences in zones like Aysén, Magallanes, (in the border with Argentina) Chiloé, or Arica (especially in their accent).
The verbal voseo combined with the pronoun tú -for example: tú sabís, tú tenís, tú hablái, tú vivís, etc.- is the kind of voseo is the predominant form used in the spoken language. - Source: Wikipedia
Here are all our articles about Chilean Spanish slang, language, dictionaries, expressions, culture, and other general topics:
echar la jineta
This Spanish slang term is used to denote an action of showing off or flaunting your power or status. It can also refer to taking advantage of one's position or abusing power for personal gain. Examples Spanish: No me gusta cuando mi jefe empieza a echar la jineta, se cree superior a todos. English: I […]
echar la talla
Used in Chile, 'echar la talla' refers to someone who is joking around or making others laugh. It can also refer to someone who is showing off their skills or abilities. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre echa la talla en las reuniones familiares para hacer reír a todos. English: Juan always jokes around at family gatherings […]
echar un pato
This is a colloquial term used in some Spanish speaking countries to refer to taking a nap or sleeping for a short period of time. Examples Spanish: Estoy muy cansado, creo que voy a echar un pato antes de salir esta noche. English: I'm very tired, I think I'm going to take a nap before […]
echarse a volar
A Spanish slang phrase that translates to 'start flying'. It is often used to refer to someone starting to do something independently, taking off in life or beginning a new phase. Examples Spanish: Después de terminar la universidad, se echó a volar y comenzó su propio negocio. English: After finishing university, he 'started flying' and […]
echarse al pollo
A Spanish slang phrase mainly used in Spain, which means to joke around or fool around. Examples Spanish: Deja de echarte al pollo y ponte a trabajar. English: Stop fooling around and get to work.
echarse al trajín
This phrase 'echarse al trajín' refers to starting a hard or demanding activity or task, often with enthusiasm or determination. Examples Spanish: Después de la universidad, se echó al trajín de trabajar y estudiar al mismo tiempo. English: After college, he threw himself into the hustle of working and studying at the same time.
echarse el pollo
This Spanish slang term is mostly used in Spain and it means to exaggerate, to brag or to show off. It often describes someone who is acting in a boastful or self-important manner. Examples Spanish: Se echa el pollo diciendo que es el mejor jugador de fútbol de la ciudad. English: He shows off saying […]
echarse la yegua
A colloquial expression primarily used in Venezuela, 'echarse la yegua' literally translates to 'throw the mare'. However, it is used idiomatically to refer to relaxing, taking it easy, or not doing anything productive. Examples Spanish: Hoy no voy a hacer nada, solo voy a echarme la yegua. English: I'm not going to do anything today, […]
echarselo
A Spanish slang phrase that means 'to go for it' or 'to take a chance'. It is often used in situations where one is about to take on a challenge or risk. Examples Spanish: Voy a echarselo a suerte y pedirle una cita. English: I'm going to take a chance and ask her out on […]
echo bolsa
A Mexican slang term that literally translates to 'made a bag'. It is commonly used to express that someone messed up or made a big mistake. Examples Spanish: Pedro echo bolsa cuando olvidó el aniversario de su esposa. English: Pedro messed up when he forgot his wife's anniversary.
ecolecua
A playful term commonly used in Cuba to indicate the arrival or presence of someone or something. It's similar to the English expression 'lo and behold'. Examples Spanish: ¡Ecolecua! Aquí llegó Juan. English: Lo and behold! Here comes Juan.
el año del loly
A Chilean slang phrase used to refer to a very long and indefinite period of time, similar to 'once in a blue moon'. It implies that something happens very rarely or probably will never happen. Examples Spanish: Juan dijo que iba a limpiar su cuarto, pero eso ocurrirá el año del loly. English: Juan said […]
el día del níspero
A phrase used to indicate a time that is very unlikely or will never come. Similar to the English phrase 'when pigs fly'. Examples Spanish: Te prestaré mi coche el día del níspero. English: I'll lend you my car when pigs fly.
el hachazo
A term often used to refer to a big problem, a disastrous event, or a sudden and unexpected cost. It can also refer to a blow or hit. Examples Spanish: Me llegó un hachazo de impuestos este mes. English: I got hit with a huge tax bill this month.
el Mercado Central
This is not a slang term. In Spanish, 'el Mercado Central' means 'the Central Market'. It refers to a large market place in many Spanish-speaking cities where a variety of goods such as food, clothes and household items are sold. Examples Spanish: Vamos a comprar frutas y verduras al Mercado Central. English: Let's go to […]
el Persa
In Chile, 'el Persa' is a term used to refer to a type of large flea market, where you can find various products at affordable prices. Examples Spanish: Vamos a el Persa este fin de semana para comprar algunas antigüedades. English: Let's go to the flea market this weekend to buy some antiques.
el que la lleva
This phrase is colloquially used to refer to the person who is in charge or the one who has the responsibility in a certain situation. It can also refer to someone who is leading an activity or event. Examples Spanish: En este proyecto, Juan es 'el que la lleva', él tiene la última palabra. English: […]
el que nace chicharra muere cantando
This Spanish slang phrase translates to 'he who is born a cicada dies singing'. It is often used to imply that a person's basic nature or habits are hard to change. Examples Spanish: Carlos siempre llega tarde a las reuniones. Ya sabes, el que nace chicharra muere cantando. English: Carlos is always late to meetings. […]
embarrada
In Latin American slang, 'embarrada' is a term used to refer to a major mistake, blunder, or mess-up. It can also refer to a situation that is complicated or difficult. Examples Spanish: Hice una gran embarrada al olvidar el informe en casa. English: I made a big blunder by forgetting the report at home.
emo
Spanish slang term 'emo' is short for 'emocional' and is used to describe a person who is overly emotional or sensitive. It can also refer to a subculture associated with punk and alternative music, characterized by emotional lyrics and a distinctive fashion style. Examples Spanish: Mi amigo se viste de negro y siempre está triste, […]
empalarse
In Spanish slang, 'empalarse' is used to describe the act of indulging in or consuming too much of something sweet or enjoyable, to the point that one might grow tired or sick of it. Examples Spanish: Me he empalado de tanto comer chocolate. English: I've made myself sick from eating so much chocolate.
emparafinado
A slang term primarily used in Colombia, 'emparafinado' refers to someone who is very well-dressed or looking very smart. It can also refer to someone who is showing off. Examples Spanish: Juan está muy emparafinado hoy, debe tener una cita después del trabajo. English: Juan is looking very smart today, he must have a date […]
empelotado
A term used in Colombia meaning naked or undressed. Examples Spanish: No puedo creer que Juan se haya lanzado a la piscina completamente empelotado. English: I can't believe Juan jumped into the pool completely naked.
empiernado
In Spanish slang, 'empiernado' refers to someone who is deeply in love or infatuated to the point of being almost obsessive. It can also refer to someone who is under the control or influence of their partner. Examples Spanish: Juan está tan empiernado con Maria que no puede dejar de pensar en ella. English: Juan […]
empotarse
A Spanish slang term used to describe the act of crashing into something or someone, or to express an intense desire or obsession for someone. It can also refer to a state of being deeply engrossed, stuck or embedded in something. Examples Spanish: Me he empotrado contra la puerta. / Estoy empotrado de ella. English: […]
emputecer
A colloquial term that refers to becoming angry or enraged. It's a vulgar expression and often considered rude. Examples Spanish: No me hagas emputecer con tus tonterías. English: Don't make me get angry with your nonsense.
emputecido
Very angry or furious. It is a vulgar slang term mainly used in Spain and some Latin American countries. Examples Spanish: Estoy emputecido porque perdí mi billetera con todo el dinero adentro. English: I'm furious because I lost my wallet with all the money inside.
en calidad de bulto
A phrase used to describe someone who is present but not participating or contributing, similar to 'just taking up space'. Examples Spanish: Fui a la fiesta pero solo estuve en calidad de bulto, no conocía a nadie allí. English: I went to the party but I was just there as a 'bulto', I didn't know […]
en cana
In Spanish slang, 'en cana' is a term used to refer to being in jail or prison. Examples Spanish: Juan ha estado en cana durante tres años. English: Juan has been in jail for three years.