We are starting 2014 by completing work long overdue. Those pending projects included the update of the Speaking Latino Spanish slang words database. After two and half years, we ended up having more material that we wanted to share with you. Diana and I are pleased to announce that our list of Mexican Spanish words […]
enchinar el cuero
A phrase that literally translates to 'curl the skin'. It's used to describe the sensation of goosebumps or chills, often as a reaction to fear, cold, or strong emotions. Examples Spanish: Cuando escucho esa canción, siempre me enchina el cuero. English: Whenever I hear that song, it always gives me goosebumps.
romper tu madre
This is a vulgar slang phrase in Spanish that is used as a threat or a way to express anger towards someone. It literally translates to 'break your mother', but it's used more in the sense of 'I'm going to beat you up'. It's considered offensive and disrespectful. Examples Spanish: Si sigues molestando, te voy […]
qué culero
An offensive phrase used in Mexico and some parts of Latin America to describe something as unfair, disappointing, or someone as mean or unpleasant. It can be translated as 'what an asshole' or 'how shitty'. Examples Spanish: No puedo creer que no me invitó a su fiesta, qué culero. English: I can't believe he didn't […]
pura mierda
It's a strong term used to express that something is pure garbage, rubbish, nonsense, or of very poor quality. Examples Spanish: Este programa de televisión es pura mierda, no tiene nada interesante. English: This TV show is pure garbage, it has nothing interesting.
poner dedo
A Mexican slang term that literally translates as 'to put finger', but is commonly used to refer to someone snitching or reporting someone else's wrongdoings. Examples Spanish: No me gusta trabajar con Juan, siempre está poniendo dedo con el jefe. English: I don't like working with Juan, he's always snitching to the boss.
no mames
A Mexican slang term that is used to express disbelief, surprise, or incredulity. It can be considered vulgar and can translate to 'no way', 'you're kidding', or 'stop messing around'. Examples Spanish: ¿Te ganaste la lotería? ¡No mames! English: You won the lottery? No way!
me cagué
A vulgar term used to express that someone was very scared or surprised. Literally, it means 'I shat myself'. Examples Spanish: Cuando vi la cara del payaso, me cagué del miedo. English: When I saw the clown's face, I was so scared I shat myself.
estar pa’l arrastre
A term used to indicate extreme tiredness, weariness or feeling unwell. Examples Spanish: Después de trabajar toda la noche, estoy pa’l arrastre. English: After working all night, I'm worn out.
a huevo
A Mexican slang term that can have multiple meanings such as 'definitely', 'of course', 'absolutely' or 'without a doubt'. Examples Spanish: ¿Vas a la fiesta esta noche? ¡A huevo! English: Are you going to the party tonight? Absolutely!
echarse un palo
A colloquial phrase used in some Latin countries to refer to having sexual intercourse. Examples Spanish: Mi amigo me contó que se echó un palo con su novia el fin de semana pasado. English: My friend told me that he had sex with his girlfriend last weekend.
échale huevos!
A colloquial phrase used to encourage someone to show courage, determination, or effort. Literally translates to 'throw eggs at it' but it's equivalent to saying 'give it your all' or 'be brave' in English. Examples Spanish: Venga, ¡échale huevos! Tenemos que ganar este partido. English: Come on, give it your all! We have to win […]
de poca madre!
A Mexican slang phrase used to describe something that is amazing or very good. However, it can also be used sarcastically or negatively, depending on the context. Examples Spanish: ¡Esa fiesta estuvo de poca madre! English: That party was awesome!
de grapa
A term used to describe something that is free or without cost. Examples Spanish: El concierto fue de grapa, no tuvimos que pagar entrada. English: The concert was free, we did not have to pay for admission.
darse mucho taco
To consider oneself very important or to show off. Examples Spanish: No sé por qué se da tanto taco, solo es el jefe de una pequeña empresa. English: I don't know why he shows off so much, he's just the boss of a small company.
dar cuello
A Dominican slang term that literally translates to 'give neck'. It is used to describe the action of ignoring or disregarding someone. Examples Spanish: No le hagas caso a Juan, él solo sabe dar cuello. English: Don't pay attention to Juan, he just knows how to ignore.
chingo a mi madre si no
An emphatic phrase used to stress the speaker's commitment to do something, often with the implicit agreement that if they don't follow through, they would be doing a great disservice to their mother. Literally translates to 'A lot to my mother if not', but it is often used to mean 'I swear on my mother's […]
al verde
In Spanish slang 'al verde' is a phrase that means 'to the green'. It is often used to refer to doing things naturally or in an eco-friendly way. Examples Spanish: Este año decidí vivir al verde, estoy reciclando y evitando el uso de plásticos. English: This year I decided to live 'al verde', I am […]
ah, chinga..
An expression of surprise, disbelief, or annoyance. It can also be used to challenge or question someone's actions or statements. Examples Spanish: 'Ah, chinga..', ¿desde cuándo sabes tocar la guitarra? English: 'Ah, chinga..', since when do you know how to play the guitar?
a vergazos
A vulgar slang term often used to denote 'violently' or 'forcefully'. It is frequently used in the context of fights or quarrels. Examples Spanish: El chico defendió a su hermana a vergazos. English: The boy defended his sister forcefully.
ir hecho la chingada
A Mexican slang phrase used to describe someone going in a hurry, in a bad condition or in a reckless manner. Examples Spanish: Después de la pelea, se fue hecho la chingada sin decir una palabra. English: After the fight, he left in a hell of a hurry without saying a word.
pasarse de lanza
A Mexican slang phrase used to describe someone who is going beyond the limits, behaving unfairly, or taking advantage of a situation or person. Examples Spanish: No te pases de lanza, ya es suficiente con lo que has tomado. English: Don't go overboard, you've had enough to drink already.
bailar con la mas fea
To deal with an unpleasant or difficult situation. Literally translates to 'dance with the ugliest girl'. Examples Spanish: Juan no quería hacerlo, pero le tocó bailar con la más fea y encargarse de la situación. English: Juan didn't want to do it, but he had to 'dance with the ugliest girl' and take care of […]
te la bañaste
A Mexican slang phrase used to express surprise or admiration for something someone did, often when it exceeds expectations. It can be translated as 'you outdid yourself' or 'you went overboard'. Examples Spanish: ¡Te la bañaste con esta cena, está deliciosa! English: You outdid yourself with this dinner, it's delicious!
ya valio queso
A colloquial expression used to communicate that something has gone wrong, or a situation has become irreparable or messed up. Literally translates to 'it's worth cheese', but it's used in a similar way to 'we're screwed' in English. Examples Spanish: Perdí las llaves del coche, ya valió queso. English: I lost the car keys, we're […]