A term used in some Latin American countries to refer to a bottle opener. Named after the shape of the tool that is used to cut wood (an axe or hatchet), which it resembles. Examples Spanish: ¿Puedes pasarme la roncola? Necesito abrir esta botella de cerveza. English: Can you pass me the bottle opener? I […]
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:
roñoso
A Spanish slang term used to describe a person who is stingy or unwilling to spend money. It can also refer to someone who is dirty or scruffy. Examples Spanish: No seas tan roñoso y paga la cuenta de una vez. English: Don't be so stingy and pay the bill for once.
ropa tendida
The literal translation of 'ropa tendida' is 'hanging clothes', but in Spanish slang, it is used to refer to a private or sensitive matter, something that should not be discussed in public. Examples Spanish: No hablemos de eso aquí, ese es ropa tendida. English: Let's not talk about that here, that's a private matter.
rosquero
In Spanish slang, 'rosquero' is used to refer to a person who is lazy or does not like to work. It's often used in a humorous or playful context. Examples Spanish: No seas rosquero y ayúdame a limpiar la casa. English: Don't be lazy and help me clean the house.
roteque
A slang term used in some Latin American countries, particularly in Honduras, to refer to someone who is annoying or bothersome. Examples Spanish: ¡Deja de ser tan roteque y deja a tu hermano en paz! English: Stop being so annoying and leave your brother in peace!
roto con plata
A term referring to a person who has money but lacks education or manners. It's used to describe someone who is rich but uncultured or vulgar. Examples Spanish: El nuevo vecino es un roto con plata, tiene una casa enorme pero siempre está haciendo fiestas ruidosas hasta la madrugada. English: The new neighbor is a […]
saberselo por libro
This phrase is used to indicate that someone knows something very well, as if they had learned it from a book. It implies deep knowledge or familiarity with a subject. Examples Spanish: Juan se sabe todas las reglas del fútbol por libro. English: Juan knows all the rules of football by heart, as if he […]
sacar de quicio
The phrase 'sacar de quicio' is a Spanish slang term often used to describe the action of someone or something driving you crazy or getting on your nerves due to its annoying or irritating nature. Examples Spanish: Los niños están tan traviesos hoy que me están sacando de quicio. English: The children are so mischievous […]
sacar el jugo
The phrase 'sacar el jugo' literally translates to 'to squeeze the juice,' but in Spanish slang, it means 'to take full advantage of' or 'to get the most out of' someone or something. Examples Spanish: Mi jefe siempre trata de sacarme el jugo trabajando horas extra sin pagarme. English: My boss always tries to take […]
sacar la chucha
A Chilean slang term which means to beat up someone severely, or to fall down badly. It can be used literally or figuratively. Examples Spanish: Si sigues molestando, te voy a sacar la chucha. English: If you keep bothering, I am going to beat you up severely.
sacar la cresta
A Chilean Spanish slang term that means to beat someone up or to work extremely hard. Examples Spanish: Si no te callas, te voy a sacar la cresta. English: If you don't shut up, I'm going to beat you up.
sacar la media foto
An expression used in Spanish to indicate taking a half photo, often used metaphorically to describe not fully understanding or perceiving a situation. Examples Spanish: No entiendo bien lo que sucedió, me parece que solo conseguí 'sacar la media foto'. English: I don't quite understand what happened, it seems like I only managed to 'take […]
sacar la vuelta
A term used in Latin America, especially in Chile and Peru, to describe the act of cheating on a partner. Examples Spanish: María sospecha que su esposo le está sacando la vuelta. English: Maria suspects that her husband is cheating on her.
sacar los choros del canasto
A Chilean slang phrase used to indicate losing one's temper, getting really angry or going crazy. Examples Spanish: Si sigues haciendo ruido, voy a sacar los choros del canasto. English: If you keep making noise, I'm going to lose my temper.
sacar un siete
A Chilean slang term used to mean 'to make a mistake' or 'to screw up'. It originates from the Chilean grading system, where seven is the highest grade and one is the lowest. Examples Spanish: Me saqué un siete al olvidar el cumpleaños de mi madre. English: I screwed up by forgetting my mother's birthday.
sacarse los pillos
A Spanish slang phrase used to describe the act of avoiding responsibilities or getting out of a tricky situation. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre se saca los pillos cuando le toca lavar los platos. English: Juan always shirks his responsibilities when it's his turn to wash the dishes.
saco de huevas
A derogatory term used to refer to someone who is lazy or doesn't like to work. The literal translation is 'bag of eggs' but in slang it refers to someone who is unproductive. Examples Spanish: Juan nunca ayuda en casa, es un saco de huevas. English: Juan never helps around the house, he is a […]
salida de cancha
An Argentinian slang term that refers to a person who is skillful, clever, or quick-witted. It is often used to describe someone who is good at getting out of tricky situations. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre tiene una salida de cancha para cada problema que se le presenta. English: Juan always has a 'salida de cancha' […]
salir canas verdes
An expression used to indicate that someone or something is causing you a lot of stress or annoyance. Literally, it means 'to make green hairs grow out', referencing the notion that stress can cause one's hair to turn gray (or in this case, green). Examples Spanish: De verdad, mis hijos me hacen salir canas verdes […]
salir de parranda
To go out partying or to go out for a night of fun, typically involving drinking and dancing. Examples Spanish: Esta noche vamos a salir de parranda con los amigos. English: Tonight we are going to go out partying with friends.
salir gente al camino
This phrase is used to describe when unexpected problems or obstacles arise. It's a metaphorical way of saying that people are appearing on your path, blocking your progress. Examples Spanish: Estaba seguro de que terminaría el proyecto hoy, pero me salió gente al camino. English: I was sure that I would finish the project today, […]
salir salado
A Spanish slang term which translates to 'turn out salty'. It is used to refer to a situation that ended up unexpectedly difficult or went wrong. Examples Spanish: Pensé que el examen sería fácil, pero me salió salado. English: I thought the exam would be easy, but it turned out salty (it was unexpectedly difficult).
salsa americana
In Spanish slang, 'salsa americana' refers to a situation that is out of control, chaotic or messy. It's often used to describe scenes of disorder or confusion. Examples Spanish: Desde que se fue el jefe, esto es una salsa americana. English: Since the boss left, this is a real mess.
salsa golf
A condiment widely used in Argentina made from a mix of ketchup and mayonnaise. Not a slang term but a cultural reference. Examples Spanish: Voy a agregar un poco de salsa golf a mi ensalada de camarones. English: I'm going to add a bit of salsa golf to my shrimp salad.
saltar la liebre
A Spanish slang expression used when a hidden or unexpected situation suddenly becomes evident or comes to light. Examples Spanish: Cuando se descubrió el fraude, saltó la liebre en la empresa. English: When the fraud was discovered, the cat was out of the bag in the company.
saltarín se llamaba el profeta
The phrase 'saltarín se llamaba el profeta' is not a common or recognized Spanish slang term. It literally translates as 'the prophet was named jumper', which doesn't have a clear slang connotation in Spanish. Examples Spanish: 'Saltarín se llamaba el profeta' no es una expresión que se utiliza en el español coloquial. English: 'The prophet […]
salto y peo
A Venezuelan colloquial phrase that is used to express something that is done quickly or without much effort. It literally translates to 'jump and fart', but its meaning is closer to 'a piece of cake' or 'easy as pie'. Examples Spanish: Esa tarea fue un salto y peo, la terminé en cinco minutos. English: That […]
saltón
It's a colloquial term used in some Latin American countries to refer to a person who is impertinent, rude, or disrespectful. Examples Spanish: No seas saltón, respeta a tus mayores. English: Don't be rude, respect your elders.
saludar a la bandera
It literally translates as 'to salute the flag'. In slang, it is used to refer to the act of making an effort that ends up being ignored or unacknowledged. Examples Spanish: Hice todo el trabajo y el jefe ni siquiera lo notó. Siento que solo estoy saludando a la bandera. English: I did all the […]
salvar
In some Latin American countries, 'salvar' is a slang term often used to mean 'to save someone from a situation', 'to rescue', or 'to get out of trouble'. The context can be lighthearted or serious. Examples Spanish: Gracias por salvarme de esa reunión aburrida, estaba a punto de dormirme. English: Thanks for saving me from […]