My mom sent me this video recently. These are the 6-years-old vloggers Andres and Lucas showing us a great sample of Puerto Rican Spanish words. Irresistible to watch! The Puerto Rican Spanish words and phrases featured are: jincho: fair skin zafacón: trash can al garete: without direction jicotea: turtle mapo: mop jugo de china: orange juice ¡Qué jartera!: so stuffed (of food) […]
VIDEO: List of Spanish Slang Expressions About Money Used in Puerto Rico
Before you even step into a new country, money is one of the first topics you will become involved in. How much does my trip cost? How much money should I take? Will my ATM (otherwise known as ATH in Puerto Rico) card work? This video will have you prepped and ready to go for […]
Why I Wrote Speaking Phrases Boricua
Read what inspired Jared Romey to write the book Speaking Phrases Boricua – Refranes de Puerto Rico about Puerto Rican sayings,
MÁS LENTO QUE UNA CARAVANA DE COJOS: Puerto Rican Spanish Saying
Here you have an illustration of the Puerto Rican Spanish saying más lento que una caravana de cojos. This illustration is included in the book Speaking Phrases Boricua. MÁS LENTO QUE UNA CARAVANA DE COJOS: Puerto Rican Spanish Saying • Literal translation: Slower than a caravan of cripples • Meaning: Extremely slow • Example: “Las […]
MÁS PELADO QUE CULO DE MONO: Puerto Rican Spanish Expression
Here is an illustration of the Puerto Rican Spanish expression estar más pelado que culo de mono. This illustration is featured in the book Speaking Phrases Boricua. Puerto Rican Spanish Expression: Más pelado que culo de mono • Literal translation: To be balder than a monkey’s ass • Meaning: broke, penniless, with no money. The […]
UN BOMBITO AL PITCHER: Puerto Rican Spanish Expression
Here is an illustration of the Puerto Rican Spanish expression un bombo al pitcher or un bombito al pitcher. It is featured in the book Speaking Boricua. Puerto Rican Spanish Expression: Un bombito al pitcher • Literal translation: An easy-to-catch ball for the pitcher • Meaning: something really easy to do, a “freebee.” The word […]
NO CAMBIES ORO POR COBRE: Puerto Rican Spanish Saying
Here is an illustration of the Puerto Rican Spanish saying no cambies oro por cobre from the book Speaking Phrases Boricua. Puerto Rican Spanish Saying: No cambies oro por cobre • Literal translation: Do not change gold for copper • Meaning: Advice to avoid changing something of value for something else of less value. • […]
O TE PEINAS O TE HACES ROLOS: Puerto Rican Spanish Saying
Here is an illustration of a common Puerto Rican Spanish saying: o te peinas, o te haces rolos. This phrase also have the variation o te peinas o te haces papelillos. Puerto Rican Spanish Saying: O te peinas, o te haces rolos • Literal translation: Either you brush your hair or you curl it Or […]
DOS JUEYES MACHOS NO CABEN EN LA MISMA CUEVA: Puerto Rican Spanish Saying
Here is an illustration of a common Puerto Rican Spanish saying: dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma cueva. You might also hear the variation dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma jaula. Spanish Saying from Puerto Rico: Dos jueyes machos no caben en la misma cueva • Literal Translation: Two male crabs […]
Puerto Rican Spanish Phrase: CAER COMO BOMBA
Here is another Puerto Rican Spanish phrase commonly used on the island: caer como bomba. This illustration is featured in the book Speaking Boricua that you can preview here. Puerto Rican Spanish Phrase: CAERLE COMO BOMBA • Literal translation: like a bomb • Meaning: to not go over well, to not get along with; not […]
EMPATAR LA PELEA: Puerto Rican Spanish Expression
Have you ever heard the phrase empatar la pelea? This is a common Puerto Rican Spanish expression and I have an illustration of it in my book Speaking Boricua: Puerto Rican Spanish Expression: EMPATAR LA PELEA • Literal translation: to tie the fight • Meaning: to make ends meet • Example: “Gracias a Dios que […]
VIDEO: Puerto Rican Spanish Slang and Colloquial Spanish Expressions
There is no better way to describe Puerto Ricans that by using our own words. Recently I ran across a copy of an old email chain (of the era when Facebook did not exist) with a lot of Puerto Rican Spanish slang and colloquial Spanish words that describe us. The text of the email was […]
COMO GUINEO EN BOCA DE VIEJA: Puerto Rican Spanish Street Slang Phrase
One of the most hilarious Spanish street slang phrases used in Puerto Rico is como guineo en boca de vieja. This Puerto Rican Spanish expression literally translates to “like a banana in an old lady’s mouth” and means “to pass easily without force.” When using this phrase it needs to be preceded by a verb, […]
COMO SAPO DE LETRINA: Puerto Rican Spanish Slang Expression
If you happen to visit Puerto Rico, you surely will try some of the local food. And at some point, I guarantee that you will overeat mofongo, rice and beans or one of the many fried foods. At that point you will need a local phrase to express how you feel, and that phrase is: […]
ME CAGO EN NA: Puerto Rican Spanish Slang Expression
The Puerto Rican Spanish slang expression me cago en ná (pronounced me ca we ná) is one of the most common swear phrases you will hear from the mouths of locals. Me cago en ná is the colloquial pronunciation of me cago en nada and it’s a mild expression that means “dam!” or “shit!” Puerto […]
Las palabras, como las plumas, se las lleva el viento
Words are easily forgotten, both by the person speaking them, and by the person listening.
Las estrellas inclinan, pero no obligan
You make your own destiny. Each person con influence their future, it is not up to factors completely out of their control.
Las doce, la que tenga a mi novio que no lo goce
This expresses jealousy for a boyfriend that is not home by midnight, wishing that the person with the boyfriend has a bad time.
Las desgracias no vienen solas
Phrase that highlights that bad luck will often be followed by more bad luck. Also that a misfortune brings other, often unexpected, consequences.
Las cosas se toman según de quien vengan
Take with a grain of salt. Besides listening to what is being said, one must take a look at who is talking, to decide the importance and truth of the statement.
Las cosas se caen por su propio peso
Problems go away with the passage of time.
Las apariencias engañan
You can’t judge a book by its cover. A person’s outward appearances are not necessarily proof of how that person behaves and who he his.
Las aguas siempre vuelven a su nivel
Although relationships sometimes have bumpy or uncertain moments, once these pass, then the relationship will return to its original course. Phrase used to give hope to people that are passing through a rough moment.
Ladrón que roba a ladrón, merece el perdón
Give him a taste of his own medicine, what comes around goes around. Since a thief causes problems for other people, the person that steals from the thief deserves not to be blamed. The blame falls on the original thief.
La venganza nunca es buena, mata el alma y la envenena
Revenge is an emotion that never has a positive outcome
La última la paga el diablo
After being worn out paying all your bills, this is the phrase you would say. It basically means that the last bill can go to hell.
La tercera es la vencida
Three’s a charm. Don’t give up because often the first couple attempts may fail but then the third attempt will be a success.
La suerte de la fea la bonita la desea
This phrase highlights that each person sees advantages in others and wants them, without realizing that they themselves hold advantages over those same people, wanted by them. For example, in this phrase the ugly girl wants to be pretty, but the pretty girl wants to be lucky.
La soga rompe por lo más delgado
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. In any type of team work, the weakest member of the group (whether it be physical strength, patience, intelligence) is the one that defines the level of ability of the group.
Los trapos sucios se lavan en casa
Any family problems should be handled in private and not shared with neighbors, friends, etc.