Be smart or get ready, an informal way to tell someone to be alert or prepared Examples Spanish: Ponte listo, el examen será difícil English: Get ready, the exam will be hard
ponte pá tu número ponte para tu número
A Dominican phrase that literally translates to 'get in your number.' It is usually used to tell someone to calm down, act according to their age, or behave properly. Examples Spanish: ¡Hey, Juan! Ponte pá tu número, estás actuando como un niño. English: Hey, Juan! Get in your number, you're acting like a child.
ponte pálido
A Spanish slang phrase used to tell someone to calm down, relax, or chill out. It literally translates to 'go pale', but is understood as 'cool it' or 'chill out'. Examples Spanish: No te preocupes tanto por eso, ¡ponte pálido! English: Don't worry so much about that, chill out!
por allí para abajo
An informal and idiomatic way to say 'down there', 'farther down', or 'in that direction'. It's often used when giving vague directions or referring to a general area rather than a specific location. Examples Spanish: La tienda de comestibles está por allí para abajo, cerca de la farmacia. English: The grocery store is down there, […]
por amor al arte
Doing something just for the pleasure of it, without expecting any material gain or specific reward Examples Spanish: Ella pinta cuadros por amor al arte, no le interesa venderlos. English: She paints pictures for the love of art, she's not interested in selling them.
por debajo de la mesa
Literally translates to 'under the table'. It is used to describe something done secretly, unofficially or illegally, often in the context of bribes or under-the-table deals. Examples Spanish: El político aceptó dinero por debajo de la mesa para favorecer a la empresa. English: The politician took money under the table to favor the company.
por donde más le duele
This phrase literally translates to 'where it hurts the most'. It is used to refer to hitting someone (mostly metaphorically) in their most vulnerable or sensitive spot or using someone's weakness against them. Examples Spanish: Ella sabía que para ganar la discusión debía atacarlo por donde más le duele: su orgullo. English: She knew that […]
por la maceta
An expression used when something is unbelievable, shocking, or surprising. It can be compared to the English phrase 'for crying out loud' or 'oh my goodness'. Examples Spanish: ¡Por la maceta! ¿Cómo es posible que haya olvidado su cumpleaños? English: For crying out loud! How is it possible that I forgot his birthday?
por relajar
A colloquial phrase used to express 'just for fun' or 'just to relax', often used in the context of doing something without any particular reason other than enjoyment or relaxation. Examples Spanish: Vamos a la playa por relajar, sin ningún plan específico. English: We are going to the beach just to relax, without any specific […]
por si aca por si acaso
A phrase used to refer to taking precautions or being prepared for possible future situations. It's equivalent to 'just in case' in English. Examples Spanish: Lleva un paraguas por si acá por si acaso llueve más tarde. English: Take an umbrella just in case it rains later.
por un tubo y siete llaves
An expression used to emphasize the abundance or excess of something, or to express that something is done intensively or in large quantities. It could be translated as 'a lot' or 'loads'. Examples Spanish: Estuvimos bailando por un tubo y siete llaves toda la noche. English: We were dancing a lot all night.
porquería
A term used to describe something that is considered bad quality, rubbish, or junk. It can also refer to a mess or something dirty. Examples Spanish: Este coche es una porquería, siempre se está averiando. English: This car is junk, it's always breaking down.
pote ‘e leche
A Dominican Republic slang term that literally translates to 'pot of milk'. It's used to describe a person who is very lucky or fortunate. Examples Spanish: Ese tipo es un pote 'e leche, siempre le salen bien las cosas. English: That guy is a pot of milk, things always turn out well for him.
potoroca
A colloquial term in certain regions of Latin America, specifically Argentina, used to refer to a big party or an event with lots of people and fun. Examples Spanish: Este fin de semana va a ser una potoroca, todos nuestros amigos vendrán. English: This weekend is going to be a big party, all our friends […]
prángana
A term used in Spain, especially in Southern regions like Andalusia, to refer to a mess, disorder or chaos. It can also refer to a difficult or problematic situation. Examples Spanish: ¡Qué prángana! No puedo encontrar mis llaves en esta habitación desordenada. English: What a mess! I can't find my keys in this disorganized room.
preñada
A slang term used in some Spanish-speaking countries to refer to a pregnant woman. It is a more colloquial and less formal term than 'embarazada', the standard Spanish term for pregnant. Examples Spanish: Creo que mi vecina está preñada, se le nota en la barriga. English: I think my neighbor is pregnant, you can tell […]
prender de un maniguetazo
A Dominican slang phrase which literally translates to 'light up with a slap on the wrist.' It is used to describe a situation where someone understands or learns something instantly after a brief explanation or demonstration. Examples Spanish: Yo le dije cómo hacerlo una vez y él lo entendió de un maniguetazo. English: I told […]
prensá
In Spanish slang, particularly in Argentina, 'prensá' is used to refer to the act of pressuring or pushing someone to do something. Examples Spanish: No me prensás, ya te voy a pagar lo que te debo. English: Don't pressure me, I will pay you what I owe you.
preparadito
A casual term used to describe someone who is well-dressed or looking stylish and neat. Examples Spanish: ¡Vaya, Jorge! Hoy estás muy preparadito para la reunión. English: Wow, Jorge! You're looking very dapper for the meeting today.
presentado
A term used in some Latin American countries to refer to a person who shows up uninvited or overstays their welcome. It can also refer to a person who is overly forward or presumptuous. Examples Spanish: Mi vecino es muy presentado, siempre aparece en nuestras fiestas sin invitación. English: My neighbor is very presumptuous, he […]
primero llueve p’ arriba
An expression used to denote something that is unlikely to happen or near impossible, similar to the English phrase 'when pigs fly'. Literally translates as 'it rains upwards first'. Examples Spanish: Primero llueve p’ arriba antes de que Pedro deje de ser tan terco. English: It will rain upwards before Pedro stops being so stubborn.
printear
A Spanglish term derived from the English word 'print'. In Spanish slang, it is used to mean 'to print' or 'printing'. Examples Spanish: Necesito printear el reporte para la reunión de mañana. English: I need to print the report for tomorrow's meeting.
procurar por alguien
This phrase is not exactly slang, but a regular Spanish phrase that means 'to look for someone' or 'to try to find someone'. Examples Spanish: Mi hermano está procurando por su perro perdido en el parque. English: My brother is looking for his lost dog in the park.
prometer villas y castillas
This Spanish phrase is used to describe someone who makes big promises but rarely, if ever, fulfills them. It literally translates to 'promise villas and castles'. Examples Spanish: No confíes en él, siempre promete villas y castillas pero nunca cumple. English: Don't trust him, he always promises villas and castles but never delivers.
puertorro
A colloquial term used in Spain to refer to someone from Puerto Rico. It is generally used in a friendly, affectionate manner. Examples Spanish: Mi mejor amigo es un puertorro, viene de San Juan. English: My best friend is a 'puertorro', he's from San Juan.
puesto de gasolina
This is not a slang term, it is a standard Spanish phrase that literally translates to 'gas station'. It refers to a place where fuel, gas, and other services for motor vehicles are sold. Examples Spanish: Necesito encontrar un puesto de gasolina para llenar el tanque de mi coche. English: I need to find a […]
pugilato
A colloquial term used to refer to a physical fight or brawl. Examples Spanish: Después de discutir, los dos hombres terminaron en un pugilato. English: After arguing, the two men ended up in a brawl.
pujar un coco
A colloquial phrase primarily used in some Latin American countries, especially in the Caribbean. It is used to refer to the act of making a significant effort or finding it hard to do something. Examples Spanish: Estoy pujando un coco para terminar este proyecto a tiempo. English: I'm really struggling to finish this project on […]
pullarse
A Spanish slang term used primarily in Spain, 'pullarse' refers to showing off or boasting about oneself or one's achievements. It can also be used to describe trying too hard to impress others. Examples Spanish: No tienes que pullarte tanto, todos sabemos que eres buena en tu trabajo. English: You don't have to show off […]
puñale
In Spanish slang, 'puñale' is mainly used in Mexico and it's a derogatory term for a homosexual man. It can be considered offensive and disrespectful. Examples Spanish: No quiero que te juntes con él, es un puñale. English: I don't want you to hang out with him, he is gay.