In Spanish slang, 'puntal' generally refers to a person who is very reliable, dependable and trustworthy. Someone you can always count on. Examples Spanish: Siempre puedes confiar en María, es un puntal. English: You can always trust Maria, she is a pillar.
puya
A Puerto Rican slang term used to refer to a subtle insult or indirect criticism. Also used in Colombia to refer to a small amount of money. Examples Spanish: 1. No le hagas caso a Juan, siempre anda lanzando puyas. 2. No tengo ni una puya para el bus. English: 1. Don't pay attention to […]
púyalo que va en bajada
A popular phrase in Venezuela, 'púyalo que va en bajada' is used to refer to taking advantage of a situation or person that is already in a vulnerable or weakened state. It’s used metaphorically and has a negative connotation. Examples Spanish: Juan está pasando por un mal momento, no le hagas daño, no lo 'púyalo […]
qué loquera
An expression used to describe a crazy, chaotic, or unbelievable situation. Examples Spanish: No puedo creer todo lo que pasó en la fiesta ayer, ¡qué loquera! English: I can't believe everything that happened at the party yesterday, what a craziness!
quedar como la guayabera
A slang phrase that's used to describe someone who is left out of a decision or event, or doesn't have an active role in a situation. Examples Spanish: Se fue a la fiesta pero no conocía a nadie, quedó como la guayabera. English: He went to the party but didn't know anyone, he was left […]
quemazón
A term used colloquially to express a feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness, often caused by a humiliating or uncomfortable situation. Examples Spanish: Después de caerme en la fiesta, sentí una quemazón terrible. English: After falling at the party, I felt a terrible embarrassment.
quesúo
A Colombian slang term that refers to a situation or person that is boring, tedious or annoying. Examples Spanish: No vayas a esa fiesta, es un quesúo. English: Don't go to that party, it's boring.
policía acostado
A term colloquially used to describe speed bumps or any kind of road hump. Literally translates to 'lying down policeman'. Examples Spanish: Ten cuidado en la carretera, hay un policía acostado adelante. English: Be careful on the road, there is a speed bump ahead.
pollita
A term of endearment often used for a young girl or woman, similar to 'little chick' in English. Examples Spanish: Mi pollita, ven aquí y dame un abrazo. English: My little chick, come here and give me a hug.
poner la torta
It's a slang term used in some parts of Latin America, particularly in Mexico. It refers to creating a scene, causing a scandal or making a mess in a situation. Examples Spanish: Cuando Juan se emborrachó en la fiesta, puso la torta delante de todos. English: When Juan got drunk at the party, he made […]
ponerse las alpargatas que lo que viene es joropo
This phrase is a Venezuelan slang used to warn someone to prepare for a difficult or complicated situation. Literally, it translates to 'put on your espadrilles, what's coming is a joropo', where joropo refers to a traditional dance that requires skill, thus implying a tough situation ahead. Examples Spanish: Mejor te pones las alpargatas que […]
pran
A term used in Venezuela, it refers to the leader or 'boss' of a prison. This person is usually a prisoner themselves, who has gained control and power over other inmates. Examples Spanish: En la cárcel, el pran tiene más poder que los propios guardias. English: In jail, the pran has more power than the […]
primero muerta que bañada en sangre
This phrase is not slang, but a literal Spanish sentence meaning 'first dead than bathed in blood'. It's not commonly used in casual conversation, and doesn't have a special slang meaning. Examples Spanish: Como decía mi abuela, 'primero muerta que bañada en sangre'. English: As my grandmother used to say, 'first dead than bathed in […]
perol
A Spanish slang term primarily used in southern Spain, 'perol' refers to a large cooking pot. It is also used colloquially to refer to a social gathering where friends or family members come together to share a meal cooked in such a pot. Examples Spanish: Este fin de semana vamos a hacer un perol en […]
picón
A term used in some Spanish-speaking regions to denote someone who is upset, jealous, or bitter. Examples Spanish: Juan está picón porque no fue invitado a la fiesta. English: Juan is upset because he wasn't invited to the party.
pistolada
In Spanish slang, 'pistolada' can refer to a quick, improvised solution, usually not very well thought out or a workaround. It can also refer to a shot or bang, or in some contexts, a surprising or unexpected event. Examples Spanish: Voy a hacer una pistolada para arreglar esta situación. English: I'm going to quickly improvise […]
plomo
In Spanish slang, 'plomo' literally translates to 'lead', a heavy metal. However, it is often used to refer to 'bullets' or 'troubles' in a metaphorical sense. Examples Spanish: Este problema es un plomo que no puedo quitarme de encima. English: This problem is a trouble (or burden) that I can't get rid of.
pelarse
The slang term 'pelarse' in Spanish is often used to denote the act of leaving or going away from a place. It can also be used to indicate the act of missing something or not being present. Examples Spanish: Voy a pelarme de esta fiesta, ya es muy tarde. English: I'm going to leave this […]
pelo malo
Literally translates to 'bad hair'. This term is commonly used in Latin America, particularly in the Caribbean, to refer to curly, kinky or Afro-textured hair, often in a discriminatory context. Examples Spanish: Ella siempre se queja de su pelo malo y dice que quisiera tenerlo liso. English: She always complains about her 'bad hair' and […]
pelúo
A Spanish slang term primarily used in Venezuela, 'pelúo' is used to express that something is difficult or complicated. Examples Spanish: El examen fue muy pelúo, no estoy seguro de si lo hice bien. English: The exam was very difficult, I'm not sure if I did well.
peñero
A term primarily used in Venezuela to refer to a small, often informal, boat or water taxi. Examples Spanish: Vamos a tomar un peñero para cruzar al otro lado de la isla. English: We're going to take a peñero to cross to the other side of the island.
pepa de zamuro
A Venezuelan slang term used to describe something extremely rare or unlikely to happen, as the 'pepa de zamuro' or 'zamuro's seed' is considered a mythical item because vultures, known as 'zamuro' in Venezuela, do not have seeds or eggs visible to the eye. Examples Spanish: Ganar la lotería es como encontrar una pepa de […]
pepeado
Pepeado is a Peruvian slang term which means being drugged, usually by a thief to rob or take advantage of someone. It comes from the name of a drug, 'Pepe', that is commonly used for these purposes. Examples Spanish: Cuidado cuando vas a los bares, no vayas a terminar pepeado. English: Be careful when you […]
patuque
A Nicaraguan slang term used to refer to someone who is very tired or exhausted. Examples Spanish: Después de trabajar todo el día, estoy patuque. English: After working all day, I'm exhausted.
paviperro
A person who is lazy or someone who avoids work. Examples Spanish: No seas un paviperro, ayuda a tu madre a limpiar la casa. English: Don't be a slacker, help your mother clean the house.
pavonearse
To strut around or show off, often in a vain, pompous, or self-important manner. Examples Spanish: No me gusta cuando Juan se pone a pavonearse delante de las chicas. English: I do not like it when Juan starts to show off in front of the girls.
pedir cacao
To ask for mercy, to surrender, or to admit defeat in a situation. It originates from the times of Spanish conquerors, who used to force indigenous people to work for them in cocoa plantations. When the workers were tired or couldn't handle it anymore, they 'pedían cacao' or asked for cacao, as a sign of […]
pegarla
To have a lucky break or achieve success, often unexpectedly or with luck. Examples Spanish: Ganó la lotería y realmente la pegó. English: He won the lottery and really hit the jackpot.
pela bolas
A Venezuelan slang term used to describe someone who tries to gain favor or advantages by flattering or sucking up to someone else. It is similar to the English phrase 'brown noser'. Examples Spanish: No seas pela bolas, si quieres algo, pídelo directamente. English: Don't be a suck-up, if you want something, ask for it […]
pargo
In Spanish slang, 'pargo' is commonly used in Colombia and refers to a person who is considered naive or easily fooled. Examples Spanish: No seas tan pargo, él solo está tratando de aprovecharse de ti. English: Don't be such a sucker, he's just trying to take advantage of you.