The Quick Guide to Peruvian SpanishA Colloquial Spanish Dictionary discover the local languageQuick Guide to Peruvian Spanish eBookThe collection of more than 500 terms and sayings will help you become familiar with the richness of the country’s Spanish. It includes slang and colloquial expressions that you will likely run across in everyday conversations. BUY ON […]
Quick Guide to Peruvian Spanish: A Book for Learning Spanish Vocabulary from Peru
Spanish vocabulary changes significantly from one country to the next. Yet, few people learn about this until they are in a country, stumbling through the local Spanish. Are you learning Spanish? Preparing to visit Peru? Or even just wanting to be more familiar with its specific slang and local words? This book for learning Spanish […]
List of Peruvian Spanish Slang and Colloquial Spanish Words Used by Locals
Traveling to Peru to live there or maybe study Spanish? Get ready because you will hear words like pulenta, choche, pituco and chancón and it might take some time to understand what they mean. If you want to learn more about the Peruvian Spanish vocabulary you can check out our list of Peruvian Spanish words. […]
2 Meanings for the Word HUACHAFO in Peruvian Spanish
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 […]
Non-Verbal Peruvian Spanish Slang Expressions: 9 Common Gestures Infographic and Videos
Non-verbal expressions are part of the slang you need to incorporate in you language learning. Just as oral language, gestures varies among countries. In my recent trip to Peru I had the opportunity to chat with some locals in a Spanish language institute and they came out with nine common gestures used in Peru. […]
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 […]
The Illustrated Guide To Peruvian Food: 9 Dishes You Need To Try
My first real exposure to Latin American culture occurred one day in Washington, DC w hen Nora, a Peruvian friend, walked me two blocks from our office to a small Peruvian restaurant, El Chalán. In the basement of a huge townhouse, only those in the know would ever even have noticed the place. The waiters […]
The Peruvian Bar: 7 Alcoholic Drinks from Peru You Must Try
Just like any other country, the drinks available in Peru reflect local customs, history and available ingredients. Experiencing the country through these drinks will not only be fun, but will also give you a better understanding of Peru and its people. The Peruvian Bar: 7 Alcoholic Drinks from Peru You Must Try 1. Pisco sour […]
Traveling to Peru? Examples of Peruvian Etiquette
Welcome to Perú. So you speak Spanish? Do you know how to thrive with it in Perú? Peruvians are a strong willed people, yet they also are extremely relaxed. Life in Perú is centered on the the family. These are some of the Peruvian characteristics. Greetings If you are a woman meeting a man for […]
List of Spanish Slang Expressions from Peru: 13 Examples to Sound Like a Local
Learning a language is only the first step to sounding like a local. What does that mean for you? You thought that learning the textbook intonations, pronunciations and general directions were going to get you in the “local” club? Think again, the only way to mesh with the locals is to understand their dialects and […]
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?
qué palta!
An expression used to convey a feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness. It's mostly used in Peru. Examples Spanish: ¡Qué palta! Olvidé mi billetera en casa. English: How embarrassing! I forgot my wallet at home.
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 […]
sacar la mugre
A colloquial phrase used primarily in Latin America. It literally translates to 'remove the dirt', but it is commonly used to imply beating up someone badly or working really hard on something. Examples Spanish: Si no te callas, te voy a sacar la mugre. English: If you don't shut up, I'm going to beat you […]
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 […]