A Chilean slang phrase that roughly translates to 'at the peak hour' but is used colloquially to mean 'never' or 'at an unspecified or inconvenient time'. Examples Spanish: Te voy a pagar a la hora del pico. English: I'm going to pay you at an unspecified or inconvenient time, or never.
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:
a la hora que se me pare el culo hoyo poto
This phrase is a bit vulgar and it's not often used in common conversations. It literally translates to 'when my ass hole stands up today' which could be loosely interpreted as 'whenever I feel like it today' or 'at my own convenience today'. Examples Spanish: '¿Cuándo vas a terminar tu trabajo?' 'A la hora que […]
a la paraguaya
This term is used in some Latin American countries, especially in Argentina, and it refers to doing things in an improvised or disorganized way. It's a somewhat derogatory way of saying that something is done without planning or foresight. Examples Spanish: No podemos seguir organizando las reuniones a la paraguaya, necesitamos un plan. English: We […]
a la pinta
A Chilean slang term that means 'at will', 'as you like' or 'however you want'. It refers to doing something in your own way or style. Examples Spanish: Hazlo a la pinta tuya, no te preocupes por las reglas. English: Do it in your own way, don't worry about the rules.
a la vuelta de la rueda
This phrase is typically used to express that something will happen soon or in the near future. It literally translates to 'around the turn of the wheel'. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes, el autobús estará aquí a la vuelta de la rueda. English: Don't worry, the bus will be here soon.
a lapa
A slang term mainly used in Spain, it is used to refer to someone who is always attached or close to another person, much like a clingy or overly attached person. Examples Spanish: Desde que empezó a salir con su novio, está a lapa todo el día. English: Since she started dating her boyfriend, she […]
a lo comando
This Spanish slang phrase is used to describe an action done quickly, efficiently and without hesitation, similar to how a military commando unit would operate. Examples Spanish: Vamos a limpiar la casa a lo comando para que esté lista para la fiesta de esta noche. English: We're going to clean the house commando style so […]
a mango
In Latin America, 'a mango' is a slang term used to refer to a large amount of money. It's also used to describe something expensive. Examples Spanish: Esa casa cuesta un mango. English: That house costs a lot of money.
a medio filo
A Chilean slang term meaning 'to be drunk' or 'to be tipsy'. It is generally used to refer to someone who is under the influence of alcohol but not extremely drunk. Examples Spanish: Después de tres cervezas, ya estaba a medio filo. English: After three beers, he was already tipsy.
a mil
Used to describe something that is working at full capacity, extremely busy, or experiencing intense emotions. It can be literally translated as 'at a thousand'. Examples Spanish: Estoy a mil con todos los preparativos de la fiesta. English: I'm totally swamped with all the party preparations.
a morir
Used to express doing something to the maximum or to the fullest extent. It literally translates to 'to death', but is commonly used to mean 'a lot' or 'like crazy'. Examples Spanish: Me gusta el chocolate a morir. English: I like chocolate a lot.
a palos con el águila
The Spanish slang 'a palos con el águila' literally translates to 'sticks with the eagle' and is used to describe a situation where someone is struggling financially or having money issues. Examples Spanish: Desde que perdió su trabajo, Juan ha estado a palos con el águila. English: Since he lost his job, Juan has been […]
a pata pelada
An informal Mexican phrase that refers to walking barefoot or without shoes. Examples Spanish: Los niños jugaban a pata pelada en el parque. English: The kids were playing barefoot in the park.
a patada con las piedras
A Spanish slang term which is used to express the idea that something is very common or can be found everywhere. Its literal translation is 'kicking with stones'. Examples Spanish: En esta ciudad, hay cafeterías a patada con las piedras. English: In this city, there are coffee shops everywhere.
a patada con los piojos
A Spanish slang term that literally translates to 'to kick with lice'. It is used to describe a situation where something is in abundance or there is too much of it. Examples Spanish: En esta ciudad, hay coches a patada con los piojos. English: In this city, there are cars aplenty.
a poto pelado
A Chilean slang term that means 'without any preparation' or 'without any protection'. It can also be used to indicate doing something 'naked' or 'barefoot'. Examples Spanish: Voy a poto pelado a la prueba porque no tuve tiempo para estudiar. English: I'm going to the test without any preparation because I didn't have time to […]
a poto suelto
This phrase is used to describe someone that is very relaxed, comfortable, or at ease. It can also mean someone is free or has a lot of free time. Examples Spanish: Juan está a poto suelto después de terminar todos sus exámenes. English: Juan is extremely relaxed after finishing all of his exams.
a prueba de tontos
This phrase literally translates to 'foolproof'. It is used to describe something that is very simple or easy to use, so much so that even a 'fool' could not mess it up. Examples Spanish: Este sistema es a prueba de tontos, ni siquiera necesitas leer las instrucciones. English: This system is foolproof, you don't even […]
a sangre de pato
A Spanish slang phrase meaning 'at a slow pace' or 'without any hurry'. It is often used to describe someone who is doing something very leisurely or slowly. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre hace las cosas a sangre de pato, nunca tiene prisa. English: Juan always does things 'at duck's blood', he's never in a hurry.
a toda raja
A Chilean slang term, 'a toda raja' translates to 'at full blast' or 'awesome'. It can be used to describe something that is really great, cool, or amazing. Examples Spanish: Esa fiesta anoche estuvo a toda raja. English: That party last night was awesome.
a todo cachete
A Spanish slang phrase meaning 'to the maximum', 'fully', 'totally', or 'going all out'. It is often used to describe something that is done completely or to the fullest extent. Examples Spanish: La fiesta estuvo a todo cachete, no faltó nada. English: The party was to the max, nothing was missing.
a todo chancho
A Chilean slang term that means 'going all out' or 'doing something to the fullest'. It is used when someone is doing something without any limits or restrictions. Examples Spanish: Vamos a celebrar mi cumpleaños a todo chancho, sin preocuparnos por nada. English: We're going to celebrate my birthday going all out, without worrying about […]
a todo ritmo
A phrase meaning 'at full speed' or 'at full rhythm', often used to describe doing something energetically or enthusiastically. Examples Spanish: Estamos trabajando a todo ritmo para terminar el proyecto a tiempo. English: We are working at full speed to finish the project on time.
a trasmano
It's used to refer to a place that is out of the way, hard to reach or inconveniently located. Examples Spanish: La casa de Juan está a trasmano, es difícil llegar allí sin un coche. English: Juan's house is out of the way, it's hard to get there without a car.
abeja maya
A playful term referring to a person who is easily distracted, always moving, or cannot stay still, similar to a buzzing bee. The term is derived from the popular Spanish cartoon 'Abeja Maya' (Maya the Bee). Examples Spanish: No puedes quedarte quieto ni un segundo, eres como una abeja maya. English: You can't stay still […]
abrazar para atrás
This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone pretends to help you, but they actually betray or harm you. It's similar to the English phrase 'to stab someone in the back'. Examples Spanish: Confíe en él, pero me di cuenta de que solo estaba abrazándome para atrás. English: I trusted him, but I […]
abuelaless
A playful term used in Spain to refer to someone who lacks conventional wisdom or common sense, suggesting they didn't have a grandmother to teach them these things. Examples Spanish: ¡No puedes salir sin chaqueta en este frío! Eres abuelaless. English: You can't go out without a jacket in this cold! You're abuelaless.
abutagado
A Chilean slang term used to describe someone who is lazy or unmotivated. Examples Spanish: Mi hermano está todo el día en el sofá, está muy abutagado. English: My brother is on the sofa all day, he's very lazy.
acabronarse
To become angry, upset, or annoyed. This term is used in Mexico and some other Latin America countries. Examples Spanish: Juan se acabronó cuando se enteró de que su coche había sido robado. English: Juan got really angry when he found out his car had been stolen.
acartonado
A term used in Argentina to refer to someone who is acting snobbish or pretentious, or someone who is old-fashioned or outdated. Examples Spanish: No te pongas acartonado, nadie aquí está juzgándote. English: Don't act so snobbish, nobody here is judging you.