Want to blend in with locals? Do you need to learn how locals speak fast? Need to expand your Spanish vocabulary? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you need to read the local newspapers. Reading newspapers, along with watching local TV and radio, will help you improve your Spanish (or any other language) faster.
To make your life easier, every month I here are some real world Spanish examples of slang in the press from different Spanish-speaking countries. These were the some of the words used in front cover headlines in Latin America recently.
10 Examples of Headlines With Slang: Spanish Terms Used in Newspapers
CHILE
Headline: Carabineros y la PDI no dan tregua al narcotráfico
Word: Carabineros
Meaning: Policemen, the name for the Chilean national police force.
Headline: Cada vez más guatones
Word: Guatones
Meaning: The noun guata means tummy. The adjective guatón means a fat person and/or a million Chilean pesos.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Headline: Yipetas millonarias para los jueces del Constitucional
Word: Yipeta, also spelled Jeepeta.
Meaning: An SUV. From the brand name Jeep.
HONDURAS
Headline: Zafarrancho en Olanchito
Word: Zafarrancho
Meaning: Chaos, commotion.
MEXICO
Healine: Truenan a Armstrong
Word: Tronar
Meaning: Suspend, deny or fail.
PERU
Headline: Cocaleros en pie de guerra
Word: Cocalero
Meaning: Someone that grows coca leaf.
PUERTO RICO
Headline: Mangaos 2 alcaldes
Word: Mangao
Meaning: Busted.
Headline: Bonche de acusaciones
Word: Bonche
Meaning: From the English “bunch.” A lot of something.
Headline: Se cuelga el bajón de luz
Word: Colgarse
Meaning: To flunk, don’t pass.
VENEZUELA
Headline: Y tanto rollo ¿pa’ qué?
Word: Rollo
Meaning: A problem, trouble.
The publications with more slang words are called prensa sensacionalista or prensa popular (popular press). These types of journals appealing to the masses are loaded with colloquial vocabulary. Sports sections can also be a source, since sports are also considered entertainment so you will find lots of colloquialisms too.
Follow our Spanish Slang Pinterest board, for more updates on newspapers using slang words in their headlines. Leave a comment and let us know if any of these words are also used in other countries.
Check out these other Spanish Slang Expressions articles.