A slang term primarily used in Argentina, 'matacambio' refers to a bad or unskilled driver. It literally translates to 'gear killer'. Examples Spanish: ¡Ese tipo es un matacambio! Siempre está frenando y acelerando sin razón. English: That guy is a gear killer! He's always braking and accelerating without reason.
caima
In Venezuela, 'caima' is a colloquial term used to refer to a friend or buddy. It can also be used to refer to a woman or girlfriend. Examples Spanish: Hola caima, ¿cómo estás? English: Hello buddy, how are you?
vaya palo
An expression used to denote a shocking or disappointing situation, similar to 'what a blow' or 'what a bummer' in English. Examples Spanish: Perdí mi trabajo. ¡Vaya palo! English: I lost my job. What a blow!
pan de miga
A type of bread with a very fine and compact crumb, often used for sandwiches. This term is commonly used in Argentina and Uruguay. Examples Spanish: Para la fiesta, voy a preparar sándwiches de miga. English: For the party, I'm going to prepare pan de miga sandwiches.
ratonera de cantazo
A Mexican colloquial term that refers to a small, crowded, and uncomfortable place. It is not a common expression and its usage is mostly local. Examples Spanish: No me gusta ir a ese bar, siempre está lleno y parece una ratonera de cantazo. English: I don't like going to that bar, it's always full and […]
el que tiene boca no manda a callar
A Spanish idiom meaning 'those who have a mouth should speak for themselves'. It's used to suggest that if someone has something to say, they should say it directly instead of sending someone else to say it for them. Examples Spanish: No entiendo por qué Juan pidió a María que hablara por él, el que […]
escalabrotado, escalabrotada
A Spanish slang term used in some Latin American countries to describe someone who is disheveled, unkempt, or in a mess. It can refer to a person's appearance or state of mind. Examples Spanish: Después de la fiesta, estaba tan escalabrotado que no podía encontrar mis llaves. English: After the party, I was so disheveled […]
acostarse con las gallinas
To go to bed very early, literally meaning 'to go to bed with the chickens'. Examples Spanish: No puedo salir esta noche, tengo que acostarme con las gallinas porque mañana me levanto muy temprano. English: I can't go out tonight, I have to go to bed with the chickens because I'm getting up very early […]
al revés de los cristianos
A Spanish colloquialism used to point out something or someone that is out of the ordinary or does things in a different, unconventional way. This phrase literally translates to 'the opposite of the Christians', referring to doing things contrary to the norm or established customs. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre come la cena para el desayuno, […]
ventetú
A contraction of 'ven tú', commonly used in southern Spain, particularly in Andalusia. It translates to 'come here' or 'come on'. It is used to invite or challenge someone in a friendly or playful manner. Examples Spanish: ¡Ventetú, que te voy a enseñar algo! English: Come here, I'm going to show you something!
curado de espantos
An expression used to describe someone who has seen or experienced so much in life that nothing surprises or scares them anymore. Examples Spanish: Después de trabajar tantos años como enfermera en la sala de emergencias, ella está curada de espantos. English: After working as an emergency room nurse for so many years, she is […]
sin cojones
A derogatory term that literally translates to 'without testicles'. It is used to describe someone who is weak, cowardly, or lacking courage. Examples Spanish: No puedes ni siquiera hablar con ella, eres 'sin cojones'. English: You can't even talk to her, you're 'without balls'.
con cojones
A Spanish slang term used to express strength, bravery, or audacity. It can be used both literally or figuratively and is more commonly used in Spain. Examples Spanish: Ese chico tiene cojones para enfrentarse a sus problemas. English: That boy has the guts to face his problems.
presidiario
A slang term used to refer to a prisoner or someone who has been in prison. Examples Spanish: Ese hombre es un presidiario, estuvo en la cárcel por cinco años. English: That man is a presidiario, he was in jail for five years.
carajo viejo
A derogatory term in Spanish, often used in an affectionate or humorous way, referring to an old man or someone who is grumpy or hard to deal with. Examples Spanish: Ese carajo viejo siempre se queja de todo. English: That old grump is always complaining about everything.
brillito
A colloquial term that usually refers to a small amount of attraction, charm, or appeal someone or something has. Can also be used to refer to a spark or small hint of something. Examples Spanish: Esa chica tiene un brillito especial que me atrae. English: That girl has a special little spark that attracts me.
tener al palo
A phrase used to express being extremely tired or exhausted Examples Spanish: Después de la maratón, estoy al palo English: After the marathon, I'm totally exhausted
pirulí
In Spanish slang, 'pirulí' is generally used in Spain as a colloquial term to refer to a kind of lollipop or candy. However, it can also refer to something or someone that is small and cute. Examples Spanish: 1. Me compré un pirulí de fresa. 2. Ese niño es un pirulí, es muy adorable. English: […]
lechoza
In some Latin American countries like Venezuela and Dominican Republic, 'lechoza' is a slang term for 'papaya', a type of fruit. Examples Spanish: Voy a hacer un batido de lechoza para el desayuno. English: I'm going to make a papaya smoothie for breakfast.
regodear
To delight or revel in something, to enjoy oneself greatly. Examples Spanish: Me regodeo en la idea de tener un día libre mañana. English: I revel in the idea of having a day off tomorrow.
compañero [pana] del chilingui
A colloquial term used primarily in Spain that refers to a friend or mate with whom you hang out or chill. Examples Spanish: Voy a salir esta noche con mi compañero del chilingui. English: I'm going out tonight with my chill mate.
el que hizo la ley, hizo la trampa
This phrase literally translates to 'he who made the law, made the trap'. It is used to express the idea that laws or rules are often made by those who also know how to exploit them or find loopholes. Examples Spanish: Juan siempre encuentra la forma de evitar hacer su trabajo. Como dice el dicho, […]
jamonilla
A term used in Puerto Rico to refer to a brand of canned ham, but it is also used colloquially to refer to someone who is chubby or overweight. Examples Spanish: Mi tío siempre bromea y me llama jamonilla porque estoy un poco sobrepeso. English: My uncle always jokes and calls me 'jamonilla' because I'm […]
palabra de domingo
A promise that is not likely to be kept, or a statement that is not reliable. The phrase is often used to express skepticism about someone's word. Examples Spanish: No confíes en él, siempre da palabras de domingo. English: Don't trust him, he always gives Sunday words.
bandeja de plata
A term often used to describe a situation that is handed to someone on a silver platter, meaning something very easy or without effort. Examples Spanish: El examen fue como una bandeja de plata, no tuve que estudiar mucho. English: The exam was like a silver platter, I didn't have to study much.
mezcolanza
A mix or jumble of different things or people, often used to describe a confusing or chaotic situation. Examples Spanish: La fiesta fue una mezcolanza de diferentes culturas y tradiciones. English: The party was a mix of different cultures and traditions.
no entender ni papa
To not understand anything at all. Examples Spanish: He estado estudiando para el examen toda la noche y todavía no entiendo ni papa. English: I have been studying for the exam all night and I still don't understand a thing.
sin son ni ton
A Spanish colloquial phrase that refers to something done without sense or reason, or in a disorganized or chaotic manner Examples Spanish: Hizo todo sin son ni ton, no siguió ninguna instrucción English: He did everything without rhyme or reason, he didn't follow any instructions
chillería
A Costa Rican slang term referring to a group of friends or people hanging out together, often in a casual or relaxed setting. Examples Spanish: Vamos a pasar el finde en la playa con la chillería. English: We are going to spend the weekend at the beach with the chillería (crew).
chancletas mete dedo
A type of sandals, usually open-toed, that have a strap between the big toe and the second toe. Commonly known as flip-flops in English. Examples Spanish: Voy a llevar mis chancletas mete dedo a la playa. English: I'm going to take my flip-flops to the beach.