A colloquial term used primarily in Spain that refers to a friend or mate with whom you hang out or chill. Examples Spanish: Voy a salir esta noche con mi compañero del chilingui. English: I'm going out tonight with my chill mate.
el que hizo la ley, hizo la trampa
This phrase literally translates to 'he who made the law, made the trap'. It is used to express the idea that laws or rules are often made by those who also know how to exploit them or find loopholes. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre encuentra la forma de evitar hacer su trabajo. Como dice el dicho, […]
jamonilla
A term used in Puerto Rico to refer to a brand of canned ham, but it is also used colloquially to refer to someone who is chubby or overweight. Examples Spanish: Mi tío siempre bromea y me llama jamonilla porque estoy un poco sobrepeso. English: My uncle always jokes and calls me 'jamonilla' because I'm […]
palabra de domingo
A promise that is not likely to be kept, or a statement that is not reliable. The phrase is often used to express skepticism about someone's word. Examples Spanish: No confíes en él, siempre da palabras de domingo. English: Don't trust him, he always gives Sunday words.
bandeja de plata
A term often used to describe a situation that is handed to someone on a silver platter, meaning something very easy or without effort. Examples Spanish: El examen fue como una bandeja de plata, no tuve que estudiar mucho. English: The exam was like a silver platter, I didn't have to study much.
mezcolanza
A mix or jumble of different things or people, often used to describe a confusing or chaotic situation. Examples Spanish: La fiesta fue una mezcolanza de diferentes culturas y tradiciones. English: The party was a mix of different cultures and traditions.
no entender ni papa
To not understand anything at all. Examples Spanish: He estado estudiando para el examen toda la noche y todavía no entiendo ni papa. English: I have been studying for the exam all night and I still don't understand a thing.
sin son ni ton
A Spanish colloquial phrase that refers to something done without sense or reason, or in a disorganized or chaotic manner Examples Spanish: Hizo todo sin son ni ton, no siguió ninguna instrucción English: He did everything without rhyme or reason, he didn't follow any instructions
chillería
A Costa Rican slang term referring to a group of friends or people hanging out together, often in a casual or relaxed setting. Examples Spanish: Vamos a pasar el finde en la playa con la chillería. English: We are going to spend the weekend at the beach with the chillería (crew).
chancletas mete dedo
A type of sandals, usually open-toed, that have a strap between the big toe and the second toe. Commonly known as flip-flops in English. Examples Spanish: Voy a llevar mis chancletas mete dedo a la playa. English: I'm going to take my flip-flops to the beach.
guiñar
In Spanish slang, 'guiñar' means to wink, that is, to close one eye briefly as a signal or hint. Examples Spanish: Ella le guiñó el ojo para indicarle que estaba bromeando. English: She winked at him to indicate she was joking.
embadurnar
To smear, to slather or to spread something excessively or messily over a surface. Usually used informally. Examples Spanish: El niño se embadurnó de chocolate al comer el pastel. English: The child smeared himself with chocolate while eating the cake.
embarrar
To mess up, to ruin something, or to smear or spread Examples Spanish: No quiero embarrar las cosas entre tú y tu novio. English: I don't want to mess things up between you and your boyfriend.
echar tierra en los ojos
To deceive or mislead someone by hiding the truth Examples Spanish: No dejes que te echen tierra en los ojos, investiga por tu cuenta. English: Don't let them pull the wool over your eyes, investigate on your own.
echar la patita
A colloquial phrase in Spanish, which literally translates to 'throw the little leg'. It is used to refer to going out to dance or to a party. Examples Spanish: Hoy es viernes, vamos a echar la patita en el club. English: Today is Friday, let's go out dancing at the club.
poca porquería / mucha porquería
siempre habla el que menos puede
beber ron sin bañarse
This phrase is not widely recognized as a standard Spanish slang term, but when translated literally, it means 'to drink rum without taking a bath.' It could be used to describe someone who is indulging in alcohol without taking care of their personal hygiene or responsibilities, or it could be used figuratively to describe someone […]
mama bicho
An offensive term in Puerto Rican Spanish slang used to insult someone. It is vulgar and translates to a sexually explicit insult. Examples Spanish: No me hables más, eres un mama bicho. English: Don't talk to me anymore, you're a jerk.
canina
In Spanish slang, 'canina' is often used to refer to a strong desire or craving for something. It's colloquially used to express a strong hunger or thirst. Examples Spanish: Tengo una canina de comer pizza que no puedes ni imaginar. English: I have a craving for pizza that you can't even imagine.
clase de
In Spanish slang, 'clase de' is used to emphasize or exaggerate the quality or size of something. It is similar to the English expression 'kind of' or 'sort of'. Examples Spanish: ¡Esa fiesta fue una clase de locura! English: That party was a kind of madness!
bótate
A colloquial term that is used in some Latin American countries, specifically Chile, which means 'leave' or 'get out'. It is often used to tell someone to leave a place or situation. Examples Spanish: ¡Bótate de aquí, no te queremos! English: Get out of here, we don't want you!
tanto nadar para morir en la orilla
This phrase is used to express the frustration or disappointment that comes from working hard towards a goal, but failing just when success seemed within reach. The literal translation is 'so much swimming only to die at the shore'. Examples Spanish: Después de tanto estudiar para el examen, lo reprobé por un punto. Tanto nadar […]
tripear en ketchup
jabao, jabá
A term primarily used in the Dominican Republic to refer to a person with light skin and African features or someone who is of mixed-race. It is often used colloquially and can be seen as offensive. Examples Spanish: Ese jabao tiene una familia muy hermosa. English: That light-skinned man with African features has a very […]
mulato
In Spanish slang, 'mulato' is a term used to describe a person of mixed race, specifically having one white parent and one black parent. However, it's important to note that this term can be considered offensive and outdated in some regions. Examples Spanish: Su amigo es mulato, su padre es blanco y su madre es […]
habichuelas tiernas
A colloquial term used in some regions of Spain and Latin America to refer to green beans. Examples Spanish: Vamos a cocinar habichuelas tiernas para la cena. English: We are going to cook green beans for dinner.
darle tres patadas
This phrase is used to express doing something badly or in an incorrect way. It literally translates to 'give it three kicks', but is used metaphorically. Examples Spanish: Juan no sabe cocinar, le da tres patadas a la paella. English: Juan cannot cook, he makes a mess of the paella.
le comieron la lengua los ratones
This phrase is used when someone is silent or doesn't speak when expected to. It literally translates to 'the mice ate his/her tongue'. Examples Spanish: ¿Por qué no has dicho nada en toda la reunión? ¿Te comieron la lengua los ratones? English: Why haven't you said anything during the entire meeting? Cat got your tongue?
mala fe
The phrase 'mala fe' literally translates to 'bad faith'. In Spanish slang, it's used to describe a person who has malicious intent or is acting deceitfully. Examples Spanish: No confío en él, siempre actúa con mala fe. English: I don't trust him, he always acts in bad faith.