A term referring to a tricky, shady or dishonest deal or business, often illegal or corrupt. Examples Spanish: Esa venta de coches huele a chanchullo, mejor no nos metemos en eso. English: That car sale smells like a scam, it's better not to get involved in it.
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:
chano
In Spanish slang, 'chano' is often used as a nickname or informal term to refer to someone whose name is 'Santiago'. It can also be used to refer to someone who is unpredictable or eccentric. Examples Spanish: Chano siempre tiene ideas locas, nunca sabes lo que va a propone. English: Chano always has crazy ideas, […]
chantado
A term used in some Latin American countries to refer to someone who is old-fashioned, uncool, or out of touch. Examples Spanish: No escuches a Juan, él es muy chantado y no entiende de estas cosas modernas. English: Don't listen to Juan, he is very old-fashioned and doesn't understand these modern things.
chaparrita
A term of endearment often used in Mexico. It refers to a short, petite woman or girl. Examples Spanish: Mi chaparrita es muy bonita. English: My petite girl is very pretty.
chaqueteo
A term used in Chilean slang that refers to the act of disparaging or criticizing someone, especially behind their back. Also used to denote jealousy or envy. Examples Spanish: No soporto el chaqueteo de mis compañeros de trabajo, siempre hablando mal de los demás. English: I can't stand the backstabbing from my coworkers, they're always […]
chaquetero
In Spanish slang, 'chaquetero' is often used to refer to someone who is disloyal or traitorous, especially one who easily changes their loyalty from one person or group to another. Examples Spanish: No puedes confiar en Juan, es un chaquetero, siempre está cambiando de bando. English: You can't trust Juan, he's a turncoat, always changing […]
charcha
In Central American slang, particularly in Guatemala and El Salvador, 'charcha' refers to something of poor quality, bad, or unsatisfactory. Examples Spanish: Este celular es muy charcha, siempre se apaga solo. English: This cell phone is very charcha, it always turns off by itself.
charchazo
A colloquial term used in some regions of Spain, primarily Andalusia, to refer to a strong or heavy blow, usually accidental. Examples Spanish: Se dio un charchazo en la cabeza con la puerta del coche. English: He gave himself a heavy blow to the head with the car door.
charchetas
A colloquial term used in certain regions of Spain to refer to someone who talks a lot or is excessively talkative. Examples Spanish: No puedo concentrarme con las charchetas de Juan en el fondo. English: I can't concentrate with Juan's chatter in the background.
charqui
A slang term used in Chile, often referring to dried, cured meat, similar to jerky. Sometimes, it could also refer to a very thin or skinny person. Examples Spanish: Vamos a llevar charqui para el viaje largo. / Ese chico es tan delgado que parece un charqui. English: We're going to take charqui for the […]
charquicán
A traditional Chilean dish made with ground or diced meat, potatoes, corn and various vegetables such as onions, carrots and peas. Examples Spanish: Voy a cocinar charquicán para la cena de esta noche. English: I'm going to cook charquicán for tonight's dinner.
chasca
In Spanish slang, 'chasca' is often used to refer to curly or frizzy hair. It's a colloquial term widely used in countries like Mexico and Chile. Examples Spanish: Mi amiga tiene la chasca muy rizada y le encanta. English: My friend has very curly hair (chasca) and she loves it.
chascarro
A term used in Chile to refer to an embarrassing or funny situation, often a mistake or blunder made in public. Examples Spanish: El actor sufrió un chascarro en vivo cuando olvidó sus líneas. English: The actor suffered a blunder live when he forgot his lines.
chascón
A term used in Chile to refer to someone with messy, uncombed or curly hair. Examples Spanish: El niño siempre llega a la escuela todo chascón, parece que nunca se peina. English: The boy always arrives at school all messy, it seems like he never combs his hair.
chascona
A term used in Chilean Spanish to describe someone with messy or untidy hair. Examples Spanish: Mi hermana siempre está chascona en las mañanas. English: My sister always has messy hair in the mornings.
chepear
A slang term used in certain Latin American countries like Guatemala and Honduras, 'chepear' means to check, review or verify something. Examples Spanish: Voy a chepear si tengo suficiente dinero para comprar el coche. English: I'm going to check if I have enough money to buy the car.
chicha
In Spain, 'chicha' is a colloquial term used to refer to a girl or young woman. In Latin America, it can refer to a type of fermented or non-fermented beverage made from grains or fruits. The context will determine the meaning. Examples Spanish: 1. María es una chicha muy simpática. 2. ¿Quieres probar esta chicha […]
chicha fresca
Chicha fresca is not a slang term, but a traditional Latin American drink made from maize or fruit. In a casual context, it can also refer to something new or fresh. Examples Spanish: 1. Hoy vamos a preparar una chicha fresca para la cena. 2. ¡Mira ese coche, es una chicha fresca! English: 1. Today […]
chicotea los caracoles
This phrase is predominantly used in Caribbean Spanish, especially in Puerto Rico, and it is typically used to describe someone who is walking or moving very slowly, like a snail's pace. Examples Spanish: ¡Apúrate, no chicotees los caracoles que llegaremos tarde! English: Hurry up, don't dawdle like a snail or we will be late!
chin chin
A colloquial term used to express 'cheers' or 'toast' when drinking with others. It is generally used in informal and celebratory contexts. Examples Spanish: ¡Vamos a hacer un chin chin por nuestro éxito! English: Let's make a chin chin to our success!
chiquiturris
A term of endearment often used to refer to a cute, small, or young person. It can also be used to refer to something small or tiny. Examples Spanish: ¡Ay, mira a ese chiquiturris! Es adorable. English: Oh, look at that little one! He's adorable.
chirimoya
In slang context, 'chirimoya' is not related to the fruit but used in Chile as a colloquial term to refer to a person's head or mind. Examples Spanish: ¡Ay, tengo un dolor de chirimoya tremendo! English: Oh, I have a tremendous headache!
chirimoya alegre
A Chilean phrase that refers to a person who is always happy, optimistic, and cheerful, regardless of the situation. It is a metaphor derived from the chirimoya fruit, which is sweet and enjoyable. Examples Spanish: A pesar de todos los problemas, Juan siempre es una chirimoya alegre. English: Despite all the problems, Juan is always […]
chita la payasada
An expression used to express annoyance, exasperation, or disbelief in an absurd or ridiculous situation or behavior. It's similar to saying 'stop the nonsense' or 'cut the clowning' in English. Examples Spanish: ¡Chita la payasada! No puedes seguir llegando tarde todos los días. English: Cut the clowning! You can't keep coming late every day.
chócale
An informal way to say 'High five' or 'Hit it'. It's frequently used to celebrate or acknowledge a good thing between two people. Examples Spanish: ¡Hicimos un buen trabajo, chócale! English: We did a good job, high five!
chocarle
A Spanish slang term used to express annoyance, discomfort, or disagreement with something or someone. It is colloquially used in Spain. Examples Spanish: Me choca que siempre llegues tarde a las reuniones. English: It annoys me that you always arrive late to the meetings.
chocarse
In Spanish slang, 'chocarse' is often used to express surprise, shock, or disbelief. It can also mean to crash or collide in a literal sense. Examples Spanish: Me choqué cuando me dijeron que gané la lotería. English: I was shocked when they told me I won the lottery.
chocleros
Chocleros is a slang term used in Peru referring to people who are from the countryside or rural areas. It is sometimes used in a derogatory manner. Examples Spanish: Los chocleros han venido a la ciudad para vender sus productos. English: The country people have come to the city to sell their products.
choclo
In some countries like Argentina and Chile, 'choclo' is a slang term used to refer to corn or maize. It is not a derogatory term and can be used in any context where one might talk about corn. Examples Spanish: Voy a hacer una ensalada con tomate, lechuga y choclo. English: I'm going to make […]
choclón
A colloquial term used in certain regions of Peru, 'choclón' usually refers to a person who is clumsy or often makes mistakes. Examples Spanish: ¡No seas choclón y presta atención a lo que estás haciendo! English: Don't be clumsy and pay attention to what you're doing!