A Spanish phrase that literally translates to 'sing the cockroach', but is used colloquially to refer to someone who is telling off or scolding another person. Examples Spanish: Después de llegar tarde tres veces seguidas, mi jefe me cantó la cucaracha. English: After arriving late three times in a row, my boss told me off.
cargar la mano
This phrase is used when someone is overdoing something or exaggerating. It literally translates to 'load the hand', but is used metaphorically to mean going overboard or going too far with something. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre carga la mano cuando se trata de ponerle salsa picante a la comida. English: Juan always goes overboard when […]
casa de la chingada
A distant, unspecified or unknown place; often used to express irritation or annoyance. Examples Spanish: ¡Vete a la casa de la chingada! English: Go to hell!
calmantes montes
A Mexican slang phrase used to tell someone to calm down or chill out. It is equivalent to the English phrases 'chill out' or 'cool your jets'. Examples Spanish: ¡Calmantes montes, no es para tanto! English: Chill out, it's not that big a deal!
calzonsuelto
A derogatory term used in Mexico to describe a woman who is considered loose or promiscuous. Examples Spanish: No quiero que salgas con ella, es una calzonsuelto. English: I don't want you to go out with her, she is a loose woman.
caerse el jabón
An idiomatic expression used to describe a big mistake or blunder, similar to the English expression 'drop the ball'. It does not refer to the literal action of dropping a soap. Examples Spanish: Carlos se olvidó de la reunión importante con los clientes. Realmente se le cayó el jabón esta vez. English: Carlos forgot about […]
calabazear
A Mexican slang term used to describe the act of being rejected or turned down, typically in a romantic context. Examples Spanish: Le declaró su amor a María, pero ella lo calabazeó. English: He declared his love to Maria, but she turned him down.
bola
In Spanish slang, 'bola' is commonly used in Latin American countries such as Mexico and Cuba to refer to a lie or falsehood. It can also be used to refer to a large quantity or amount of something. Examples Spanish: No me cuentes bolas, dime la verdad. English: Don't tell me lies, tell me the […]
bote de basura
Literally meaning 'garbage bin'. In slang context, it is not commonly used as a slang term. It is used in its literal sense. Examples Spanish: Por favor, tira esa botella vacía en el bote de basura. English: Please, throw that empty bottle in the garbage bin.
basculear
A colloquial term primarily used in Puerto Rico, which means to hang out, chill or relax. Examples Spanish: Vamos a basculear en la playa este fin de semana. English: We are going to chill at the beach this weekend.
ay nanita
An expressive phrase used to show surprise, concern, or excitement. Similar to 'Oh my!' in English. Examples Spanish: 'Ay nanita, ¿en serio ganaste la lotería?' English: 'Oh my, did you really win the lottery?'
apapacho
A Mexican slang term used to describe a warm, comforting hug or cuddle that makes you feel loved and cared for. It can also refer to an action or gesture that makes someone feel good or special. Examples Spanish: Después de un largo día, un apapacho de mi madre es todo lo que necesito. English: […]
apuñalar la araña
A colloquial phrase that literally translates to 'stab the spider', but is commonly used to refer to the act of going to the restroom, specifically to defecate. Examples Spanish: Espera un momento, necesito apuñalar la araña. English: Wait a moment, I need to go to the restroom.
alberca
A colloquial term commonly used in Mexico for 'swimming pool'. Examples Spanish: Vamos a la alberca a nadar. English: Let's go to the swimming pool to swim.
amarra navajas
In Spanish slang, 'amarra navajas' is a term used to describe someone who likes to provoke or instigate fights or conflicts between other people. Examples Spanish: No invites a Juan a la fiesta, siempre amarra navajas y causa problemas. English: Don't invite Juan to the party, he always stirs up trouble and causes problems.
andar bien coco
Used to describe someone who is behaving strangely or acting crazy. Examples Spanish: Juan ha estado actuando extraño últimamente, parece que anda bien coco. English: Juan has been acting strange lately, it seems like he is really crazy.
andar pacheco
To be high or under the influence of marijuana Examples Spanish: Después de la fiesta, Juan estaba andando pacheco. English: After the party, Juan was high.
agüite
A term used in some Latin American countries, especially Ecuador, to describe sadness, disappointment, or depression. Examples Spanish: Después de perder el partido, él estaba en agüite. English: After losing the match, he was in agüite (downcast).
agujetas
A Spanish slang term that refers to the muscle soreness or stiffness following an unaccustomed or strenuous exercise. Examples Spanish: Después de mi primera clase de yoga, tengo muchas agujetas. English: After my first yoga class, I have a lot of muscle soreness.
al ratón nos vemos
A casual way to say 'see you later' or 'see you in a bit'. The phrase literally translates as 'we see each other to the mouse', it doesn't make much sense literally, but it is widely used in Mexican slang. Examples Spanish: Tengo que irme, pero al ratón nos vemos. English: I have to go, […]
aguas frescas
Aguas frescas is not actually a slang term, but is a traditional Mexican beverage made from one or more fruits, cereals, flowers, or seeds blended with sugar and water. Examples Spanish: Para el almuerzo, me gusta tomar aguas frescas de sandía. English: For lunch, I like to drink watermelon aguas frescas.
a la verde
It's a colloquial phrase used in Spain, especially in the southern region, that means 'to do something quickly' or 'in a rush'. Examples Spanish: ¡Vamos a la verde, que llegamos tarde! English: Let's hurry up, we're running late!
a su madre
An expression used in Mexico and some parts of Latin America as a form of surprise, frustration, or exclamation. It can have a negative or positive connotation depending on the context. Examples Spanish: ¡Esa fiesta estuvo a su madre! English: That party was unbelievable!
a vergazo
A colloquial phrase often used in Mexico and some parts of Central America, referring to a strong hit or blow. It can also be used figuratively to express doing something with great intensity or force. Examples Spanish: Le dio un vergazo a la puerta y se rompió. English: He gave the door such a strong […]
zamuro
In Venezuelan slang, 'zamuro' is a term that refers to a vulture. However, it is often used metaphorically to describe someone who takes advantage of others' misfortunes. Examples Spanish: No te conviertas en un zamuro, aprovechándote de la desgracia de los demás. English: Don't become a vulture, taking advantage of others' misfortune.
zaperoco
A term used in certain Spanish-speaking regions to describe a big mess, disorder, or chaos. It can also refer to a loud argument or disruption. Examples Spanish: Después de la fiesta, la casa quedó en un total zaperoco. English: After the party, the house was left in total chaos.
zarrapastrozo
A term used in Spain to describe someone or something that is grubby, dirty or scruffy. It can be used for both people and objects. Examples Spanish: No quiero que juegues con ese niño, siempre está tan zarrapastrozo. English: I don't want you to play with that boy, he's always so scruffy.
¿onta?
A contraction of '¿dónde está?' which means 'where is it?' or 'where are you?' in English. It's commonly used in informal and casual conversations among friends and relatives. Examples Spanish: ¿Onta mi celular? Lo dejé aquí hace un momento. English: Where is my phone? I left it here a moment ago.
¿qué chingados?
A Mexican slang phrase used to express surprise, confusion, anger, or disbelief. Its literal translation is vulgar, but in context, it can be likened to 'What the hell?' or 'What the f***?' in English. Examples Spanish: ¿Qué chingados está pasando aquí? English: What the hell is happening here?
¿qué hongo?
A casual, informal greeting similar to 'What's up?' or 'How's it going?' in English. Used mostly in Mexico and Argentina. Examples Spanish: ¡Hola, amigo! ¿Qué hongo? English: Hello, friend! What's up?