Puerto Rican slang: 300 phrases to sound like a local

300 phrases
300 real examples
106 slang
6 regions
35 local phrases
16 marked vulgar

Puerto Rican Spanish is fast, warm and full of English. You'll hear "wepa", "acho" and "janguear" before you leave the airport.

Greetings and small talk 19

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
1	Buenas	Hi (to anyone, any time)	Buenas, ¿tienen mallorcas hoy?Hi, do you have sweet buns today?	Everyday The default hello to a shopkeeper, a driver or a stranger, any time of day. Street use
2	A la orden	You're welcome	Gracias por la ayuda. A la orden, mi amor.Thanks for the help. You're welcome, love.	Everyday The usual reply to "gracias" in shops and on the street.
3	¿Qué es la que hay?	What's up?	¡Wepa, broki! ¿Qué es la que hay?Hey, bro! What's up?	Slang The classic Puerto Rican hello between friends.
4	Dale	OK, sure, go ahead	Dale, nos vemos a las ocho.OK, see you at 8.	Everyday You'll say it 50 times a day.
5	Con permiso	Excuse me (to pass or to leave)	Con permiso, voy a pasar.Excuse me, coming through.	Everyday Standard Spanish you'll use all day. It's also a polite way to say goodbye.
6	¿De qué pueblo tú eres?	What town are you from?	Mucho gusto. ¿Y de qué pueblo tú eres? Yo soy de Cabo Rojo.Nice to meet you. And what town are you from? I'm from Cabo Rojo.	Everyday The first question you'll hear. A "pueblo" is one of the island's 78 towns.
7	¿Cómo tú estás?	How are you?	¡Hola, mi amor! ¿Cómo tú estás?Hi, love! How are you?	Everyday The subject comes first, the island way.
8	¿Qué tú haces?	What are you doing?	¿Qué tú haces por aquí tan temprano?What are you doing here so early?	Everyday Also works as a light hello.
9	¡Wepa!	Woo-hoo! Yay!	¡Wepa! ¡Llegaron los pastelillos!Woo-hoo! The pastelillos are here!	Slang Pure joy. Shout it at parties, games and good news.
10	Nítido	Great, all good	¿Cómo te fue? Nítido, todo salió bien.How did it go? Great, it all went well.	Slang Also a quick "I'm good".
11	¡Ay bendito!	Oh no! Oh my God!	¡Ay bendito! Se le cayó el helado al nene.Oh no! The little boy dropped his ice cream.	Everyday For pity or shock. A soft "bendito" alone means "poor thing".
12	¿Qué pasó?	Hey, what's up?	¿Qué pasó, mano? Hace tiempo que no te veo.Hey, what's up, man? I haven't seen you in a while.	Casual A friendly hello. Nobody expects a story. Street use
13	¡Bye!	Bye!	¡Bye, mi amor! Nos vemos mañana en la playa.Bye, love! See you tomorrow at the beach.	Everyday Most people say goodbye in English, often twice: "bye, bye".
14	Nos vemos	See you	Dale, nos vemos el viernes en La Placita.OK, see you Friday at La Placita.	Everyday The usual goodbye once you've made a plan. "Nos vemos ahorita" means see you later.
15	¡Cuídate!	Take care (as a goodbye)	¡Cuídate, mano! Nos vemos el lunes.Take care, man! See you Monday.	Everyday A warm goodbye from the English "take care".
16	Aquí, en la brega	Hanging in there	¿Cómo tú estás? Aquí, en la brega, mano.How are you? Hanging in there, man.	Casual The classic answer to "how are you". "La brega" is the daily grind.
17	Bendición	Bless me (said to elders)	¡Bendición, abuela! Dios te bendiga, mi nieto.Bless me, grandma! God bless you, grandson.	Everyday Kids and adults say it to parents and elders as a hello or goodbye.
18	Dios te bendiga	God bless you	Cuídate mucho, mija, Dios te bendiga.Take good care, sweetie, God bless you.	Everyday The reply to "bendición", and a warm goodbye.
19	Te llamo pa'trás	I'll call you back	Estoy guiando, te llamo pa'trás en cinco minutos.I'm driving, I'll call you back in 5 minutes.	Casual Straight from the English "call back".

Getting around 23

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
20	Coger un taxi / un Uber	To take a taxi or an Uber	Vamos a coger un Uber pa'l Viejo San Juan.Let's take an Uber to Old San Juan.	Everyday "Coger" is a clean word here. It's vulgar in Mexico.
21	Balneario	Public beach with facilities	Vamos al balneario de Luquillo el domingo.Let's go to the Luquillo public beach on Sunday.	Everyday A public beach with parking, showers and lifeguards. Good for a first beach day.
22	Déjame aquí / tírame allí	Drop me off here / there	Déjame aquí, por favor. O tírame allí en la esquina.Drop me off here, please. Or drop me there at the corner.	Casual Say "déjame aquí" to a driver. Friends say "tírame allí" for the same thing.
23	¿Dónde queda...?	Where is...?	Buenas, ¿dónde queda la playa de Ocean Park?Hi, where's Ocean Park beach?	Everyday People use "queda" to ask where a place is. "¿Dónde está...?" works too, but it sounds stiffer.
24	La luz	Traffic light	Dobla a la derecha en la segunda luz.Turn right at the second light.	Everyday Hear it in every set of directions.
25	El expreso	Highway, expressway	Coge el expreso pa' llegar más rápido.Take the highway to get there faster.	Everyday Big roads like the PR-22 are "expresos".
26	Guagua	Bus; also a van or SUV	La guagua pa' Río Piedras pasa cada media hora.The bus to Río Piedras comes every 30 minutes.	Everyday The only word for bus you need.
27	Público	Shared van that runs a set route	Cogí un público de Fajardo a San Juan.I took a shared van from Fajardo to San Juan.	Everyday Cheap rides between towns. Ask the driver where it goes.
28	La lancha	The ferry to Vieques and Culebra	Cogimos la lancha de Ceiba a Culebra bien temprano.We took the ferry from Ceiba to Culebra really early.	Everyday Locals just call the ferry "la lancha". It leaves from Ceiba, on the east coast.
29	Dar un pon / pedir pon	To give someone a ride	¿Me das un pon hasta el hotel?Can you give me a ride to the hotel?	Everyday "Pedir pon" is to ask for one. Ask friends, not strangers.
30	Guiar	To drive	Yo guío, tú pones la música.I'll drive, you pick the music.	Everyday Guiar is the usual word here. You'll hear manejar too.
31	Tapón	Traffic jam	Hay un tapón brutal en el expreso.There's a crazy traffic jam on the highway.	Everyday You'll hit one on the way out of San Juan.
32	Parquear	To park	Parquea ahí al lado del colmado.Park there next to the corner store.	Everyday Spanglish. Estacionar sounds formal here.
33	El parking	Parking lot	El parking del mall está lleno.The mall parking lot is full.	Everyday Spanglish for estacionamiento.
34	Motora	Motorcycle	Mi primo vino en la motora.My cousin came on his motorcycle.	Everyday Elsewhere it's moto.
35	Ir pa'l pueblo	To go into town	Voy pa'l pueblo a comprar pan.I'm going into town to buy bread.	Everyday "El pueblo" is the town center with the plaza and church.
36	Goma	Tire	Se me explotó una goma en la carretera.I blew a tire on the road.	Everyday A flat one sends you to the gomera.
37	AutoExpreso / peaje	Toll tag / toll	Se nos olvidó recargar el AutoExpreso y nos llegó la multa.We forgot to top up the AutoExpreso and the fine came.	Everyday Toll roads like the PR-22 charge through the tag. Ask your rental company how it works.
38	Ponchar	To get a flat tire	Se me ponchó la goma en Luquillo.I got a flat tire in Luquillo.	Everyday From the English "punch". "Una goma ponchá" is a flat tire.
39	Motetes	Bags, luggage, your stuff	Echa los motetes en el baúl y vámonos.Throw the bags in the trunk and let's go.	Casual "El baúl" is the car trunk.
40	Corte de pastelillo	Cutting someone off in traffic	Ese carro me hizo un corte de pastelillo en el expreso.That car cut me off on the highway.	Casual A fast, reckless lane change. You'll see plenty.
41	A las millas	Really fast	El taxi iba a las millas por la 52.The taxi was flying down the 52.	Slang Like going "a millón", flat out.
42	Por Jurutungo	Very far away, the middle of nowhere	Ella vive por Jurutungo, como a dos horas.She lives out in the middle of nowhere, like 2 hours away.	Slang Jurutungo is a far-off place, real or not, used like Timbuktu.

Food and drink 39

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
43	Batida	Milkshake, fruit shake	Quiero una batida de parcha, por favor.I'd like a passion fruit shake, please.	Everyday The island word. "Batido" is the Spain and Cuba form.
44	Tembleque	Coconut pudding	De postre pedimos tembleque.For dessert we ordered coconut pudding.	Everyday A set pudding of coconut milk and cornstarch, often with cinnamon on top.
45	Lechonera	Roast pork restaurant	Paramos en una lechonera en Guavate y pedimos lechón con morcilla.We stopped at a roast pork place in Guavate and ordered pork with blood sausage.	Everyday You order by the pound at the counter. Weekends are packed.
46	China	Orange (the fruit)	Me da un jugo de china, por favor.An orange juice, please.	Everyday Ask for "naranja" and you'll still get it, but "china" is local.
47	Sorbeto	Drinking straw	¿Me das un sorbeto, por favor?Can I have a straw, please?	Everyday Mexico says popote and Spain says pajita.
48	Chinchorro	Roadside bar and food shack	Paramos en un chinchorro en la carretera.We stopped at a roadside shack on the highway.	Everyday Cheap food, cold beer, loud music.
49	Los kioskos	Beach food stands	Comimos en los kioskos de la playa.We ate at the beach food stands.	Everyday Rows of stalls selling fritters and drinks.
50	Frituras	Fried snacks from beach stands	Paramos en Piñones a comer frituras.We stopped in Piñones to eat fried snacks.	Everyday Bacalaítos, alcapurrias and pastelillos are all frituras.
51	Café colao	Coffee strained by hand	Nada como un café colao por la mañana.Nothing beats hand-strained coffee in the morning.	Everyday Made by hand through a cloth, not in a machine. It comes in a "pocillo", a small cup.
52	Mofongo	Mashed fried plantain with garlic	Quiero un mofongo relleno de camarones.I want a mofongo stuffed with shrimp.	Everyday The dish to try first.
53	Lechón asao	Spit-roasted pork	Fuimos a Guavate a comer lechón asao.We went to Guavate to eat roast pork.	Everyday A big roast pork meal is a "lechonada".
54	Tostones	Fried green plantain slices	¿Arroz o tostones de acompañante?Rice or tostones on the side?	Everyday "Un tostón" is also a hassle or a hard test.
55	Pasteles	Boiled plantain-dough parcels with meat	En Navidad mi abuela hace pasteles.At Christmas my grandma makes pasteles.	Everyday A pastel here is this parcel, and cake is bizcocho. Unwrap the leaf before you eat.
56	Arroz con gandules	Rice with pigeon peas	En Navidad no falta el arroz con gandules.At Christmas there's always rice with pigeon peas.	Everyday On every holiday table, next to the lechón.
57	Guineo	Banana	Échale guineo a la batida.Put banana in the shake.	Everyday "Plátano" is the plantain you cook.
58	Parcha	Passion fruit	El jugo de parcha aquí es buenísimo.The passion fruit juice here is amazing.	Everyday Elsewhere it's maracuyá.
59	Viandas	Boiled root vegetables and green plantains	¿Qué viandas tienen hoy? Yuca, ñame y guineítos.What root vegetables do you have today? Yuca, yam and green bananas.	Everyday On every home-style menu, often with salt cod.
60	Alcapurria	Fried fritter of root mash and meat	Dame dos alcapurrias de jueyes.Give me 2 crab alcapurrias.	Everyday A beach-kiosk classic.
61	Bacalaíto	Codfish fritter	Los bacalaítos de Piñones son los mejores.The codfish fritters in Piñones are the best.	Everyday Big, flat and crispy.
62	Pastelillo	Fried turnover	Un pastelillo de carne y una fría.A meat turnover and a cold beer.	Everyday Some people call it an empanadilla.
63	Sorullitos	Fried corn sticks	Pide unos sorullitos con mayoketchup.Order some fried corn sticks with mayo-ketchup.	Everyday A bar and beach snack. Dip them in mayoketchup.
64	Pinchos	Grilled meat skewers	Un pincho de pollo, por favor.A chicken skewer, please.	Everyday Street grills and beach kiosks sell them, often with a slice of bread on top.
65	Cuchifritos	Fried pork bits	Paramos en un kiosko a comer cuchifritos.We stopped at a stand to eat fried pork bits.	Everyday Fried pork tongue, liver and other offal. Some people use it for any fried snack.
66	Mallorca	Sweet spiral bun dusted with sugar	Una mallorca con jamón y queso y un café, por favor.A sweet bun with ham and cheese and a coffee, please.	Everyday The classic bakery breakfast. Ask for it pressed and toasted.
67	Pique	Hot sauce	Este pique de la casa pica un montón.This house hot sauce is really spicy.	Everyday Often homemade in a bottle with vinegar and peppers.
68	Pegao	Crispy rice at the bottom of the pot	Guárdame el pegao, que es lo mejor.Save me the crispy rice, it's the best part.	Everyday People fight over it. "Estar pegao" means to be a hit, like a song.
69	Mamposteao	Rice and beans fried together	Pedí chuleta con arroz mamposteao.I ordered a pork chop with fried rice and beans.	Everyday Cooked rice stir-fried with beans. A great side with pork.
70	Habichuelas	Beans	Arroz con habichuelas, como siempre.Rice and beans, like always.	Everyday Elsewhere it's frijoles.
71	Amarillos	Fried sweet plantains	¿Me pones amarillos con el pollo?Can you add sweet plantains with the chicken?	Everyday Ripe plantains, sliced and fried.
72	Asopao	Thick rice stew	Mi mai hace asopao de pollo cuando llueve.My mom makes chicken rice stew when it rains.	Everyday Comfort food, often with chicken or shrimp.
73	Piragua	Shaved ice with syrup	Compramos piraguas de frambuesa en la plaza.We bought raspberry shaved ice in the plaza.	Everyday Carts sell it in Old San Juan.
74	Límber	Frozen juice in a cup	Mi vecina vende límbers de coco.My neighbor sells coconut límbers.	Everyday People sell them from their homes for about $1.
75	Mantecado	Ice cream	¿Vamos por un mantecado después de la playa?Shall we get ice cream after the beach?	Everyday Older word for helado, still very common.
76	Maví	Fermented tree-bark drink	En el chinchorro venden maví bien frío.At the roadside bar they sell ice-cold maví.	Everyday Sweet, fizzy and a little bitter. Some batches have a touch of alcohol.
77	Quenepa	Spanish lime, a small green fruit	En verano venden quenepas en la carretera.In summer they sell quenepas by the road.	Everyday Crack the skin and suck the pulp.
78	Juey	Land crab	¿El asopao es de juey o de camarones?Is the stew land crab or shrimp?	Everyday The plural is "jueyes". A "jueyada" is a big crab feast.
79	Bizcocho	Cake	Traje bizcocho pa'l cumpleaños.I brought cake for the birthday.	Everyday Elsewhere it's pastel or torta. As slang it can also mean a hottie or something easy.
80	Jartera	A huge meal; being stuffed	¡Qué jartera me di en Thanksgiving!I stuffed myself at Thanksgiving!	Slang That too-full feeling. "Me jarté" means "I stuffed myself".
81	Abombao	Spoiled, gone bad	Bota esa leche, que está abombá.Throw out that milk, it's gone bad.	Slang People say it about food that smells off. Feminine is "abombá".

Money and shopping 22

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
82	Un chin	A little bit	Dame un chin más de pique.Give me a little more hot sauce.	Everyday Use it for any small amount. "Un poquito" works too.
83	Happy hour	Happy hour, drink deals	Hay happy hour hasta las siete.There's happy hour until 7.	Everyday Spanglish. Bars list their cheap drinks and hours on a sign.
84	Pesos	Dollars	Eso te sale en veinte pesos.That'll cost you 20 dollars.	Everyday Prices are in US dollars, but many people still say "pesos".
85	Chavos	Money	No tengo chavos pa'l taxi.I don't have money for the taxi.	Slang The everyday word for cash. "No tengo ni un chavo" means "I'm broke".
86	En cash	In cash	En los kioskos es mejor pagar en cash.At the beach stands it's better to pay cash.	Everyday Spanglish. "Efectivo" sounds formal.
87	La ATH	Debit card, ATM	¿Aceptan ATH o es solo cash?Do you take debit or is it cash only?	Everyday From the local network "A Toda Hora". Also "ATH Móvil" for phone payments.
88	Colmado	Small corner grocery	Voy al colmado por hielo.I'm going to the corner store for ice.	Everyday Often doubles as a bar.
89	Menudo	Small change, coins	¿Tienes menudo pa' la máquina del parking?Do you have change for the parking machine?	Everyday Coins and small bills. Handy for parking meters and kiosks.
90	Peseta	25 cents, a quarter	¿Tienes pesetas pa' la lavandería?Do you have quarters for the laundromat?	Everyday An old name people still use for the coin.
91	Vellón	5 cents, a nickel	Me faltan dos vellones.I'm 2 nickels short.	Everyday The island-wide word. Around Ponce you may hear "ficha" for the same coin. "Vellón de diez" is a dime.
92	Medio peso	50 cents	Cada límber cuesta medio peso.Each límber costs 50 cents.	Everyday 2 pesetas make a medio peso.
93	Estar pelao / arrancao	To be broke	No puedo salir, estoy pelao hasta el viernes.I can't go out, I'm broke until Friday.	Slang Feminine "pelá". "Arrancao" is flat broke, and "estar en olla" means the same. Real poverty is "la inopla".
94	Especial	On sale; a deal	Las cervezas están en especial hasta las siete.Beers are on special until 7.	Everyday Use it for happy hours and store sales.
95	Fiao	On credit, on a tab	En el colmado me dejan comprar fiao.At the corner store they let me buy on credit.	Casual Short for fiado.
96	Marchante	Regular customer or vendor	Buenas, marchanta, ¿qué le doy hoy?Hi, hon, what can I get you today?	Casual Market vendors use it with their regulars.
97	El mall	Shopping mall	Nos vemos en el mall a las tres.See you at the mall at 3.	Everyday "Centro comercial" sounds formal here.
98	Hacer mandados	To run errands	Tengo que hacer unos mandados antes de la playa.I have to run some errands before the beach.	Everyday "Hacer diligencias" is the same idea.
99	Ganga	Bargain	Estos mahones fueron una ganga.These jeans were a bargain.	Everyday Careful: "una ganga" can also be a gang.
100	Al cantazo	Paid in cash, up front	Pagó el carro al cantazo, sin préstamo.He paid for the car in full, no loan.	Slang All at once, no loan.
101	Pulguero	Flea market	Encontré estos discos en el pulguero.I found these records at the flea market.	Everyday Weekend markets for used stuff.
102	Mahones	Jeans	Ponte unos mahones, que hace fresco.Put on some jeans, it's cool out.	Everyday A Puerto Rican word you won't hear much elsewhere.
103	Un tumbe	A robbery, a mugging	Guarda el celular, que anoche hubo un tumbe en esa esquina.Put your phone away, there was a mugging on that corner last night.	Slang Street talk for a robbery. "Hacer un tumbe" is to rob someone.

Bars and going out 25

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
104	Una fría	A cold beer	Dame una fría, que me estoy derritiendo.Give me a cold one, I'm melting.	Casual Order this at any bar or chinchorro. You'll hear "birra" too, but other countries share that one. "Una fría" is the local default.
105	Una Medalla	A Medalla, the island's beer	Dos Medallas bien frías, por favor.2 ice-cold Medallas, please.	Everyday Mayagüez brews this local light beer. Order it by name.
106	Bartender	Bartender	Dile al bartender que nos traiga otra ronda.Tell the bartender to bring us another round.	Everyday Spanglish. "Cantinero" is the older word.
107	Janguear / hanguiar	To hang out, to go out	¿Vamos a janguear a La Placita esta noche?Shall we go out to La Placita tonight?	Slang Spanglish from "hang out". The word you'll hear most. "El jangueo" is the night out.
108	Chichaíto	Shot of rum with anise	Una ronda de chichaítos pa' la mesa, que es Navidad.A round of rum and anise shots for the table, it's Christmas.	Casual A sweet, strong shot you'll see at holidays and bars.
109	Un palo	A drink, a shot	Vamos a darnos un palo antes de cenar.Let's have a drink before dinner.	Slang "Darse un palo" is to have a drink. A "trancazo" is a stiff shot of rum.
110	Mesero / mesera	Waiter / waitress	Mesera, ¿nos trae la cuenta cuando pueda?Waitress, could you bring us the check when you can?	Everyday What you call the person serving your table.
111	Chinchorrear	To hop between roadside bars	El domingo salimos a chinchorrear por la costa.On Sunday we went bar-hopping along the coast.	Casual A classic Sunday plan with friends.
112	Un party	A party	Hay un party en casa de Javier el sábado.There's a party at Javier's place on Saturday.	Everyday It's masculine: "el party".
113	Parisear	To go out partying	¿Vamos a parisear el viernes en Santurce?Shall we go partying on Friday in Santurce?	Slang From the English "party". "El pariseo" is the partying.
114	Bembé	A big party	El bembé de anoche se fue hasta las cuatro.Last night's party went on until 4.	Slang Any loud, crowded party.
115	Prendío	Lit, buzzing	El party estaba prendío.The party was lit.	Slang A party or a person that's on fire.
116	Pompeao	Pumped, hyped	Estoy pompeao pa'l concierto de mañana.I'm pumped for tomorrow's concert.	Slang From "pumped".
117	Perrear / perreo	To grind to reggaeton	Vámonos pa' la disco, que quiero perrear.Let's go to the club, I want to grind.	Slang "El perreo" is the dance. Fine at a club, not at a family party.
118	Al garete	Wild, out of control	La fiesta se puso al garete después de las doce.The party got wild after midnight.	Slang Also for a life or plan that's falling apart.
119	Bayoya	A noisy, fun mess; a racket	¡Qué bayoya tienen esos nenes en la marquesina!What a racket those kids are making in the carport!	Slang For loud fun, shouting and joking around. It can also be a street party.
120	Pitorro	Homemade moonshine rum	En Navidad mi tío saca el pitorro.At Christmas my uncle brings out the moonshine.	Casual Strong stuff, so sip it. People often soak fruit in it.
121	Coquito	Coconut rum eggnog	¿Quieres un vasito de coquito?Do you want a little glass of coquito?	Everyday The Christmas drink of Puerto Rico.
122	Fiesta de marquesina	A carport party	El sábado hay fiesta de marquesina en casa de Tito.On Saturday there's a carport party at Tito's place.	Casual Many people say "party de marquesina". "La marquesina" is the carport most homes have, where the family hangs out on hot nights.
123	Caneca	Small flat bottle of rum	Trajo una caneca de ron pa' la playa.He brought a little bottle of rum to the beach.	Casual The pocket-size bottle you buy at the colmado.
124	Estar jendío	To be very drunk	Después de ocho Medallas estaba jendío.After 8 Medallas he was wasted.	Slang Like "jumo" or "jalao". Feminine "jendía".
125	Jumeta	Very drunk; a big drunk	Anoche cogió una jumeta que no se acuerda de na'.Last night he got so drunk he doesn't remember a thing.	Slang Drunk is "jumo" or "ajumao". "Coger una turca" is to get drunk.
126	Atómico	Heavy drinker	Ese tipo es un atómico, no sale del chinchorro.That guy is a heavy drinker, he never leaves the bar.	Slang A put-down for someone who drinks all day, so don't say it to anyone's face. It can also mean a drug addict or a street drunk.
127	Arrebatao	High (on weed)	Ese pana siempre anda arrebatao.That guy is always high.	Slang Know it when you hear it. A drug addict is a "tecato".
128	Parranda	Christmas caroling party	Anoche llegó una parranda a las dos de la mañana.A caroling party showed up at 2 in the morning last night.	Everyday Friends go house to house with music. An older word for the group is "trulla".

Friends and people 24

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
129	Pana	Friend, buddy	Él es mi pana desde la escuela.He's been my buddy since school.	Everyday The word for friend, and "pana full" is a best friend. You'll hear it in Venezuela and Ecuador too.
130	Corillo	Group of friends, crew	El corillo se va pa' Culebra el fin de semana.The crew is going to Culebra this weekend.	Slang Your crew. Also for any group.
131	Broki	Bro, close friend	¡Gracias, broki, te debo una!Thanks, bro, I owe you one!	Slang From "brother". Young and friendly.
132	Mi brother	My brother, my friend	Ese es mi brother, lo quiero como familia.That's my brother, I love him like family.	Casual People say it in English with a Spanish accent.
133	Mano / manín	Bro, buddy	Mano, ¿me prestas el cargador?Bro, can you lend me your charger?	Casual Short for hermano, and mana for a woman. You'll hear it in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela too.
134	Cangri	Big shot, cool guy	Llegó el cangri con su carro nuevo.The big shot showed up with his new car.	Slang From reggaeton. Can be praise or teasing.
135	Bichote	Big shot; drug boss	Se cree un bichote porque tiene chavos.He thinks he's a big shot because he has money.	Slang Careful: it can mean a real drug boss.
136	Boricua	Puerto Rican	Soy boricua, aunque nací en Nueva York.I'm Puerto Rican, even though I was born in New York.	Everyday Boricuas say it with pride. From Borikén, the Taíno name of the island.
137	Jíbaro	Country person from the mountains	Mi abuelo era un jíbaro de Utuado.My grandfather was a country man from Utuado.	Everyday A proud symbol of the island. It can also tease someone as a country bumpkin.
138	Nuyorican	Puerto Rican from New York	Es nuyorican, habla más inglés que español.He's a New York Puerto Rican, he speaks more English than Spanish.	Everyday From "New York" and "Puerto Rican".
139	Gringo	American from the mainland	Ese restaurante está lleno de gringos.That restaurant is full of Americans.	Casual Usually neutral. Tone decides if it's a jab.
140	Blanquito	Rich, privileged person	Ese colegio es de blanquitos.That school is for rich kids.	Slang A tease about class and money.
141	Nene / nena	Boy / girl; kid	Los nenes están jugando en la playa.The kids are playing on the beach.	Everyday For kids, and adults call friends and partners this too.
142	Mai / pai	Mom / Dad	Mai, ¿qué hay de comer?Mom, what's for dinner?	Casual Short for mamá and papá.
143	Girla	Girl	Esa girla baila salsa mejor que nadie.That girl dances salsa better than anyone.	Slang From the English "girl", and you say it like "guerla".
144	Titi	Auntie	Titi Carmen hace el mejor arroz con gandules.Auntie Carmen makes the best rice with pigeon peas.	Everyday Kids call aunts and close family friends this.
145	Compai / comai	Buddy; co-parent	¿Qué pasó, compai? ¿Cómo está la familia?What's up, buddy? How's the family?	Casual From compadre and comadre. Close friends use it.
146	Doña	Ma'am (older woman)	Buenas, doña, ¿cuánto cuestan las quenepas?Good afternoon, ma'am, how much are the quenepas?	Everyday Polite and warm with older women. "Don" for men.
147	Guaynabito / guaynabita	Rich snob	Ese guaynabito nunca ha cogido una guagua.That rich snob has never taken a bus.	Slang From Guaynabo, a wealthy town next to San Juan. It's sharper than "blanquito".
148	Boricua de cora	Puerto Rican at heart	Nació en Texas, pero es boricua de cora.She was born in Texas, but she's Puerto Rican at heart.	Casual "Cora" is short for corazón. Said with love.
149	Mijo / mija	Sweetie, my child	Ven acá, mija, que te sirvo un plato.Come here, sweetie, I'll serve you a plate.	Everyday Older people say it to anyone younger.
150	Alicate	Hanger-on, yes-man; close pal	Ese siempre anda con su alicate diciéndole que sí a todo.That guy always has a hanger-on telling him yes to everything.	Slang A helper who follows the boss around. Between friends it can mean a close pal.
151	Añoñao	Spoiled, pampered	Ese nene está añoñao, la abuela le da to'.That kid is spoiled, his grandma gives him everything.	Casual Feminine "añoñá".
152	Presentao / presentá	Nosy; a party crasher	Ese presentao llegó al party sin invitación y se metió en to'.That busybody came to the party uninvited and butted into everything.	Slang Someone who shows up or butts in where nobody asked.

Reactions and feelings 32

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
153	¡Brutal!	Awesome! Amazing!	El concierto estuvo brutal.The concert was amazing.	Slang Pure praise for a show, a meal or a beach.
154	¡Ave María!	Wow! Oh my God!	¡Ave María, qué calor hace hoy!Wow, it's so hot today!	Everyday For surprise, joy or a letdown. You'll hear it across Latin America too.
155	A fuego	Awesome, on fire	Ese concierto de Bad Bunny estuvo a fuego.That Bad Bunny concert was on fire.	Slang Also for a great person with good energy.
156	De a millón	Perfect, awesome	El viaje a Rincón estuvo de a millón.The trip to Rincón was awesome.	Slang Also "loads of" something.
157	Chévere	Cool, great	Tu casa está bien chévere.Your house is really nice.	Everyday You'll hear it all over the Caribbean, and every day here.
158	Jevi	Cool, intense	Esa película está jevi.That movie is awesome.	Slang From "heavy".
159	Duro / dura	Really good at something	Ella es dura bailando salsa.She's amazing at dancing salsa.	Slang A big compliment.
160	Mamey	Really easy	El examen fue un mamey.The test was a piece of cake.	Slang "Esto es un mamey" means "this is easy". "Ser un guame" is the same idea.
161	Pelú	Huge, tremendous; tough	Tenemos un problema pelú con el carro.We have a huge problem with the car.	Slang For big problems and tough jobs.
162	Esmayao	Starving	Estoy esmayao, vamos a comer ya.I'm starving, let's eat now.	Slang From desmayado. Feminine "esmayá".
163	Adobao	Dripping with sweat	Llegué adobao después de caminar por el Viejo San Juan.I got there dripping with sweat after walking around Old San Juan.	Slang You'll feel it on day 1 in the heat. Feminine "adobá".
164	Coger monga	To catch a cold or the flu	Cogí monga en el avión y estoy en cama.I caught the flu on the plane and I'm in bed.	Everyday "La monga" is a bad cold or the flu.
165	Amotetao	Groggy and down, from being sick	Llevo tres días con monga y estoy amotetao.I've had the flu for 3 days and I feel groggy and low.	Slang Tired, dull and sad from illness. Feminine "amotetá".
166	Enfogonao	Furious, fuming	Mi papá está enfogonao porque llegué tarde.My dad is fuming because I got home late.	Slang Hot with anger.
167	Enchismao	Ticked off, annoyed	Mi jefe anda enchismao desde esta mañana.My boss has been ticked off since this morning.	Slang Feminine "enchismá".
168	Quillao	Upset, annoyed	Está quillao porque perdió su equipo.He's upset because his team lost.	Slang Feminine "quillá".
169	Ajorao	Rushed, in a hurry	Ando ajorao, que el vuelo sale en una hora.I'm in a rush, the flight leaves in an hour.	Slang "Ajorar" means to pressure someone.
170	Embollao	Absorbed in something, hooked	Estoy embollao con esta serie.I'm hooked on this show.	Slang "Ir embollao" means to rush. Feminine "embollá".
171	Chavao	Annoyed; broken	Estoy chavao con este tapón.I'm so fed up with this traffic.	Slang Also for something that's busted.
172	¡Qué chavienda!	What a pain!	Se fue la luz otra vez. ¡Qué chavienda!The power went out again. What a pain!	Slang For any hassle or bother.
173	Pavera	Fit of giggles	Me dio una pavera en la iglesia.I got the giggles in church.	Slang The laugh you can't stop.
174	Estar en una nota	To be buzzed, in a great mood	Con dos cervezas ya estoy en una nota.2 beers and I'm already buzzed.	Slang Also for a high.
175	Aguzao	Sharp, on the ball	Ese nene es bien aguzao.That kid is really sharp.	Slang Also street smart.
176	¡Fó!	Ew! It stinks!	¡Fó! ¿Qué se murió aquí?Ew! What died in here?	Slang Say it with a face. It's for bad smells.
177	Jediondo	Stinky, smelly	Saca esos tenis de aquí, que están jediondos.Get those sneakers out of here, they stink.	Slang You say the h of hediondo like a j. Feminine "jedionda".
178	Tostao / tostá	Crazy, nuts	Ese pana está tostao, se tiró al mar con la ropa puesta.That guy is nuts, he jumped in the sea with his clothes on.	Slang For someone wild or a little crazy. "Ser un tostao" can also mean a big joker.
179	¡Diantre! / ¡Diache!	Darn! Gosh!	¡Diantre! Se me quedaron las llaves en el carro.Darn! I left my keys in the car.	Casual Softer forms of "diablo" your grandma would say.
180	¡Ea!	Geez! Hey! (to protest)	¡Ea, qué caro está el parking aquí!Geez, parking here is so expensive!	Casual For a quick complaint or protest.
181	Encojonao / encojoná	Furious, pissed off	Está encojonao porque le chocaron el carro.He's pissed off because someone hit his car.	Vulgar The rude version of "enfogonao". Not for polite company.
182	Darle un patatú	To have a fit, to nearly faint	Cuando vio la cuenta, casi le da un patatú.When she saw the bill, she nearly fainted.	Casual For a shock that makes you feel faint. A sudden fit of nerves is an "ataque de nervios".
183	Me estás tripeando	You're kidding me	¿Que te ganaste un viaje a Culebra? ¡Me estás tripeando!You won a trip to Culebra? You're kidding me!	Slang From the English "trip". "Tripear" is to joke around.
184	Tener babilla	To have guts	Hay que tener babilla pa' tirarse de esa roca.You need guts to jump off that rock.	Slang "Babilla" can also mean empty chatter. Someone with guts is "babilloso".

Fillers and everyday words 31

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
185	Acho / chacho	Man, wow, ugh	Acho, no sé, déjame pensarlo.Man, I don't know, let me think about it.	Slang Puerto Rico's favorite filler, from muchacho. "¡Chacho!" is pure surprise.
186	Tú sabes / ¿me entiendes?	You know? / Get me?	Fui pa' la playa y estaba llena, tú sabes, como siempre.I went to the beach and it was packed, you know, like always.	Casual You'll hear both in every long story. Just nod and keep listening. Street use
187	Un chorro	A lot, loads	Había un chorro de gente en la playa.There were loads of people at the beach.	Casual "Un chorro de chavos" is a lot of money.
188	Bregar	To deal with, to handle	Déjame bregar con eso y te llamo.Let me deal with that and I'll call you.	Everyday Your all-purpose verb for handling, fixing or doing something.
189	Fajarse	To work hard at something; to get in a fight	Se fajó toda la semana pa' terminar el proyecto.He worked his butt off all week to finish the project.	Casual "Estar fajao" means to be working hard. It can also mean to fight.
190	Revolú	Mess, chaos	¡Qué revolú hay en este cuarto!What a mess this room is!	Everyday A messy room, a crowd, a bad situation.
191	Se fue la luz	The power went out	Se fue la luz en todo el barrio, saca las velas.The power went out in the whole neighborhood, get the candles.	Everyday Power cuts happen often here. You'll hear it across Spanish too.
192	Aguacero	Sudden downpour	Espérate aquí que escampe, ese aguacero no dura.Wait here until it stops, that downpour won't last.	Everyday A short, heavy rain that every visitor gets caught in. "Escampar" is when it stops.
193	Bochinche	Gossip	Cuéntame el bochinche, ¿qué pasó con ellos?Tell me the gossip, what happened with them?	Everyday Also a loud fuss. A gossip is a "bochinchero".
194	Bembeteo	Chatter, idle talk	Déjate de bembeteo y ayúdame con las maletas.Quit the chatter and help me with the bags.	Casual Endless talk or gossip. A chatterbox is a "bembetero".
195	Embuste	A lie	¡Eso es un embuste! Él no conoce a Bad Bunny.That's a lie! He doesn't know Bad Bunny.	Everyday Also "¡embuste!" for "no way!"
196	Dizque / dique	Supposedly, so-called	Dizque iba a llegar a las ocho y mira la hora.He was supposedly coming at 8, and look at the time.	Casual Say it when you doubt a claim. Many people clip it to "dique". You'll hear it across Latin America too.
197	Chotear	To snitch, to rat out	Mi hermano me choteó con mai.My brother ratted me out to Mom.	Slang A snitch is a "chota".
198	Pichear	To ignore, to blow off	Le escribí y me picheó.I texted him and he ignored me.	Slang Also "¡pichea!" for "forget it".
199	Backeo	Backing from someone with pull	Consiguió el puesto porque tiene backeo del alcalde.He got the job because he has the mayor's backing.	Slang Spanglish from "back". You'll hear it about jobs and politics.
200	Batata política	Political appointee who barely works	Ese puesto es una batata política, no hace na' en todo el día.That job went to a political crony, he does nothing all day.	Slang A dig at people hired for party loyalty. You'll hear it in the Dominican Republic too.
201	Gufear / gufiao	To goof around; fun	Deja de gufear y ayúdame.Stop goofing around and help me.	Slang From "goof". "Gufiao" is a fun person or a good time.
202	Bonche	A bunch; a group of friends	Llegó el bonche entero a la fiesta.The whole gang showed up at the party.	Slang Spanglish from "bunch". For people or things.
203	Chola / chaveta	Head	Me di en la chola con la puerta del carro.I hit my head on the car door.	Slang A joking word for your head. "Perder la chaveta" is to lose your mind.
204	Sicote	Foot odor	Saca esos tenis, que huelen a sicote.Take those sneakers out, they smell like feet.	Slang The smell of sweaty feet. Say it with a face.
205	Zafacón	Trash can	Bota eso en el zafacón.Throw that in the trash can.	Everyday Basurero and papelera are the words elsewhere. You'll hear it in the Dominican Republic too.
206	Ni fu ni fa	Meh; can't decide	¿Te gustó la película? Ni fu ni fa.Did you like the movie? Meh.	Casual For when you can't make up your mind or don't care either way.
207	Bulto	Backpack, school bag	Se me quedó el bulto en la guagua.I left my backpack on the bus.	Everyday Mochila is the word in Mexico and Spain.
208	Umjú	Uh-huh; yeah, right	¿Que llegaste a las diez? Umjú.You got home at 10? Yeah, right.	Casual A yes with your mouth shut, or a doubtful "sure". Tone tells you which.
209	Macacoa	Bad luck, a jinx	Se me ponchó la goma otra vez. ¡Qué macacoa!I got another flat tire. What bad luck!	Slang "Caerle la macacoa" is to have one bad break after another.
210	Feca	A lie; junk	Eso que te dijo es una feca.What he told you is a lie.	Slang It can also mean something worthless or a useless person.
211	Fiebrú	Super into something, a fanatic	Es fiebrú de los carros.He's crazy about cars.	Slang "Estar en la fiebre" is the same idea.
212	Jaiba	Sly, crafty	No te dejes, que ese vendedor es bien jaiba.Don't fall for it, that seller is really sly.	Slang A jaiba is a crab, and crabs are slippery.
213	Dar cráneo	To think hard about something	Le estoy dando cráneo a dónde ir el sábado.I'm thinking hard about where to go on Saturday.	Slang "Cráneo" is skull.
214	Andar en un rush	To be in a hurry	Ando en un rush, te llamo después.I'm in a rush, I'll call you later.	Casual Spanglish, said like "rosh". "La hora del rush" is rush hour.
215	¡Perdona, sae!	Sorry, my bad (joking)	Se me cayó el café. ¡Perdona, sae!I dropped the coffee. Sorry, my bad!	Casual A joking way to say sorry. Use it with people you know.

Time and plans 14

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
216	Ahorita / orita	Later; in a while	Ahorita te llamo, estoy guiando.I'll call you in a bit, I'm driving.	Everyday It means in a while, or a moment ago ("ahorita lo vi"). Ask for a time.
217	Cógelo suave	Take it easy	Cógelo suave, que estamos de vacaciones.Take it easy, we're on vacation.	Everyday The island's mood in 2 words. "Cógelo con take it easy" is the playful Spanglish version.
218	Hora puertorriqueña / hora boricua	Puerto Rican time, running late	El party es a las ocho, hora puertorriqueña, o sea a las diez.The party is at 8, Puerto Rican time, so 10.	Casual A joke about everyone arriving late.
219	Pasadía	A day out with family or friends	Este domingo hacemos un pasadía en la playa.This Sunday we're making a day of it at the beach.	Casual A whole day out, with food, from morning to afternoon.
220	El weekend	The weekend	¿Qué vas a hacer el weekend?What are you doing this weekend?	Casual Spanglish. "Fin de semana" works too.
221	Caerle	To drop by	Te caigo a la casa como a las siete.I'll drop by your place around 7.	Casual "Le caímos" means we showed up.
222	En un brinco	In a flash	Espérame aquí, vuelvo en un brinco.Wait for me here, I'll be back in a flash.	Casual A quick trip or task.
223	Cuadrar	To set up, to sort out (a plan or a deal)	Déjame cuadrar con el jefe y te aviso.Let me sort it out with my boss and I'll let you know.	Casual "Ya cuadramos" means it's all set. Older people say "cuadrar caja".
224	Las octavitas	The second 8 days of parties, after the octavas that follow Three Kings Day	Aquí la Navidad sigue hasta las octavitas, en enero.Here Christmas keeps going through the octavitas, in January.	Everyday First come las octavas, the 8 days after Three Kings Day, and then las octavitas. Plan for parties well into January.
225	Embarcar	To leave someone hanging; to con	Me embarcó, lo esperé una hora y nunca llegó.He left me hanging, I waited an hour and he never showed.	Slang "Me dejó embarcao" means he stood me up.
226	A la cañona	By force, like it or not	Me tocó trabajar el sábado a la cañona.I had to work Saturday whether I liked it or not.	Slang When you have no choice.
227	Pegársele la frisa	To oversleep	Se me pegó la frisa y casi pierdo el vuelo.I overslept and almost missed my flight.	Casual "La frisa" is the blanket, and it "sticks" to you.
228	Tumbar el japi / cortar el japi	To kill the vibe, to ruin the fun	Llegó la policía y nos tumbó el japi.The police showed up and killed our buzz.	Slang "Japi" is "happy". You'll also hear "cortar el japi".
229	En dos por tres	In no time, quickly	Te lo arreglo en dos por tres.I'll fix it for you in no time.	Casual For a quick job or a fast trip.

Teasing and insults 30

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
230	Relajar	To tease, to joke	Tranquilo, te estoy relajando.Relax, I'm just messing with you.	Everyday Here it means to tease. "Coger de relajo" is to take something as a joke, and "un vacilón" is a fun time.
231	Jincho	Very pale	Llegaste jincho, ponte bloqueador.You showed up so pale, put on sunscreen.	Slang Locals tease pale tourists with it. "Jincho como un chayote" is very pale.
232	Bicho	Penis; also an unpleasant person	Ese tipo es un bicho, nadie lo aguanta.That guy is a jerk, nobody can stand him.	Vulgar A crude word for penis. Don't use it for a bug here, say "insecto".
233	Toto	Crude word for a woman's genitals	Esa canción es puro toto y bicho, no la pongas con los nenes aquí.That song is nothing but crude sex words, don't play it around the kids.	Vulgar Very crude, and it's all over reggaeton lyrics. Know it, don't say it.
234	Pato	Gay man (slur)	Le gritaron "pato" desde un carro y él siguió caminando.Someone yelled "pato" at him from a car and he kept walking.	Vulgar An offensive word for a gay man. Don't say it. Elsewhere it just means duck.
235	¡Puñeta! / ¡Ñeta puñeta!	Damn it!	¡Puñeta, se me olvidó el pasaporte!Damn it, I forgot my passport!	Vulgar The island's go-to swear. "¡Ñeta!" is the clipped form. Not for polite company.
236	Joder	To bother, to pester	Deja de joder, que estoy viendo el juego.Quit bugging me, I'm watching the game.	Vulgar Rude in polite company. Among friends it also means to joke around, and a "jodedor" is a fun guy who teases everyone.
237	Cabrón	Bastard; dude; awesome or tough	¡Cabrón, cuánto tiempo!Dude, it's been so long!	Vulgar Tone decides if it's an insult or rough affection. "Está cabrón" means it's awesome, or it's tough, and you'll hear it all the time.
238	Come mierda	Snob, stuck-up jerk	Desde que se mudó a Dorado es un come mierda.Since he moved to Dorado he's a snob.	Vulgar Literally "eats shit". For people who act superior.
239	¡Coño!	Damn!	¡Coño, qué susto me diste!Damn, you scared me!	Vulgar For anger or shock. You'll hear it across Spanish too.
240	Mamabicho	Jerk, dick	Ese mamabicho me robó el parking.That jerk stole my parking spot.	Vulgar Very strong. Literally "cocksucker", and one of the island's harshest insults.
241	Tiraera	Diss, diss track	Sacó una tiraera contra otro rapero.He dropped a diss track against another rapper.	Slang From reggaeton and rap beefs.
242	Soplapote	A nobody, good-for-nothing	No lo oigas, ese es un soplapote.Don't listen to him, he's a nobody.	Slang A lightweight or hanger-on who isn't worth your time.
243	Cafre	Trashy, rude person	No seas cafre, baja la música.Don't be trashy, turn the music down.	Slang A put-down about class and manners, so use it with care.
244	Yal	Girl into reggaeton style and perreo (a put-down)	Le dicen yal por la ropa que usa y por cómo perrea en la disco.They call her a yal because of the clothes she wears and how she grinds at the club.	Slang A put-down about class and style, and Bad Bunny's song "Bichiyal" joins "bicha" and "yal". Know both, don't say them.
245	Averiguao	Busybody, nosy	La vecina es una averiguá, lo ve to'.The neighbor is a busybody, she sees everything.	Slang Feminine "averiguá".
246	Frontear	To show off	Deja de frontear con ese carro, que es de tu papá.Stop showing off that car, it's your dad's.	Slang From the English "front". "Está fronteando" means he's showing off.
247	Lambeojo	Suck-up, brownnoser	Ese es un lambeojo del jefe.That guy is the boss's suck-up.	Slang A common put-down, and rude to someone's face. "Lambón" means the same.
248	Cuero	Promiscuous woman (insult)	Le dijo cuero a la ex y se armó la pelea.He called his ex a slut and a fight broke out.	Vulgar A harsh insult for a woman. Know it, don't say it.
249	Afrentao	Greedy eater; shameless	No seas afrentao, deja pastelillos pa' los demás.Don't be greedy, leave some turnovers for everyone else.	Slang Someone who piles up a plate and grabs the last bite. Feminine "afrentá".
250	Mamao	Idiot, sucker	No seas mamao, eso era un chiste.Don't be an idiot, it was a joke.	Vulgar Rude to a stranger, rough teasing among close friends. The feminine is "mamada". Never say it about anyone's mother.
251	Tener chichos	To have love handles	Después de las fiestas tengo chichos por todos lados.After the holidays I've got love handles everywhere.	Casual A playful tease about belly rolls. Save it for friends and family.
252	Cachetero / cachetera	Freeloader, moocher	Ese cachetero siempre llega cuando sirven la comida.That freeloader always shows up when the food comes out.	Slang Someone who eats and drinks for free and disappears when the check comes.
253	Tráfala	Lowlife, crook	No hagas negocio con ese tráfala.Don't do business with that lowlife.	Slang Someone who cheats people.
254	Fleje	Slut; a skinny girl (insult)	En el chisme la llamaron fleje, y ella no volvió más.In the gossip they called her a slut, and she never came back.	Vulgar An offensive word for a woman. It can also mock a skinny girl. Know it, don't say it.
255	Aguajero	All talk, a bluffer	No le hagas caso, ese es un aguajero.Ignore him, he's all talk.	Slang Big threats and big stories, no action.
256	Guillao	Show-off, full of himself	Desde que se compró el carro anda guillao.Since he bought the car he's been showing off.	Slang "Tener un guille" is to put on airs. Feminine "guillá".
257	Nebuloso	Shady, sketchy	Ese negocio está nebuloso, yo no me meto.That deal looks shady, I'm staying out of it.	Slang For people and plans you don't trust. About a man it can also be a slur meaning effeminate, so watch the context.
258	¡Arranca pa'l carajo!	Get lost!	¡Arranca pa'l carajo y déjame tranquilo!Get lost and leave me alone!	Vulgar A rough "go away".
259	Pela	A beating	Si llegas tarde otra vez, mai te da una pela.If you're late again, Mom will give you a beating.	Casual A spanking or a fight. In sports, "una pela" is a blowout win.

Love and flirting 20

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
260	¿Bailamos? / ¿Echamos un pie?	Shall we dance?	Me encanta esta salsa. ¿Echamos un pie?I love this salsa song. Shall we dance?	Casual "Echar un pie" is to dance. "¿Bailamos?" works anywhere.
261	Rapear	To sweet-talk, to chat someone up	Llevaba toda la noche rapeándole a la muchacha de la barra.He spent all night sweet-talking the girl at the bar.	Slang Smooth talk with a crush. It can also mean to steal someone's partner.
262	Grajearse / grajeo	To make out; a make-out session	Los vi grajeándose en la playa. ¡Qué grajeo!I saw them making out on the beach. What a make-out session!	Slang Kissing and touching. Fine among friends, not at the family table.
263	Mamisonga	Knockout, a stunning woman	Mira esa mamisonga que acaba de entrar.Look at that knockout who just walked in.	Slang A big, cheeky compliment. Said to a stranger, it lands like a catcall.
264	Pégate	Come closer, come over	Pégate, que no te oigo con la música.Come closer, I can't hear you over the music.	Casual Can be flirty on a dance floor.
265	Jevo / jeva	Boyfriend / girlfriend	Vino con su jeva a la fiesta.He came to the party with his girlfriend.	Slang The everyday word for a partner.
266	Gato / gata	Hot guy / hot girl	Mira esa gata que acaba de entrar.Look at that hot girl who just walked in.	Slang "Gata" can also mean girlfriend.
267	Mami / papi	Babe, hottie	Gracias, papi, nos vemos ahorita.Thanks, babe, see you later.	Casual For partners and friends. "Mamita" means a hot girl, but from a stranger it can feel like a catcall.
268	Bebé	Babe, baby	Bebé, ¿me buscas al salir del trabajo?Babe, can you pick me up after work?	Casual For a partner.
269	Mirada pastelillo	Flirty, come-hither look	Me echó una mirada pastelillo desde la barra.She gave me a flirty look from the bar.	Slang A look that says more than words.
270	Chulo / chula	Cute, lovely	¡Qué chula te ves con ese traje!You look so lovely in that dress!	Everyday A sweet compliment. "¡Qué chulería!" praises a lovely beach, baby or outfit.
271	Acicalao	Dressed up, groomed	Vas bien acicalao pa' tu cita.You're all dressed up for your date.	Slang Neat, combed and smelling good. Feminine "acicalá".
272	Tirarle	To hit on someone	Le está tirando a la bartender.He's hitting on the bartender.	Slang "Tirar" alone can also mean to diss.
273	Ligar	To check someone out, to stare	Deja de ligar a la gente en la playa.Stop staring at people on the beach.	Casual Here it means to look or stare. A "ligón" is a peeping Tom.
274	Enchulao	Head over heels	Está enchulao de la muchacha de Ponce.He's head over heels for the girl from Ponce.	Slang Feminine "enchulá".
275	Estar puesto	To be up for it, to be in	¿Salimos el sábado? Estoy puesto.Shall we go out Saturday? I'm in.	Slang "Estar puesto pa'..." means ready for something.
276	Sato / sata	Flirty, falls in love easily	No le hagas caso, que es bien sato.Don't pay him any mind, he falls for everyone.	Slang Said of someone who flirts a lot. A "sato" is also a street dog.
277	Chilla / chillo	Lover on the side	Dicen que tiene una chilla en Caguas.They say he has a girl on the side in Caguas.	Slang A secret lover. "Chillo" is also a red snapper.
278	Bellaco / bellaca	Horny	Ese pana anda bellaco to' el tiempo.That guy is horny all the time.	Vulgar Sexual. "Bellaqueo" is hooking up.
279	Tumbao	Swagger, groove	Esa muchacha tiene un tumbao cuando camina.That girl has a real swagger when she walks.	Slang Also the groove of a salsa bass line.

Sayings and expressions 21

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
280	Cada guaraguao tiene su pitirre	No enemy is too small	No lo subestimes, cada guaraguao tiene su pitirre.Don't underestimate him, every hawk has its kingbird.	Casual The tiny pitirre bird chases off the big guaraguao hawk. A famous island saying.
281	¡Pa'lante!	Keep going, onward	Perdimos el vuelo, pero pa'lante, mañana salimos.We missed the flight, but onward, we'll leave tomorrow.	Casual From "para adelante". You say it to push on after a setback.
282	De chiripa	By sheer luck, just barely	¿Llegaste al vuelo? De chiripa, se atrasó media hora.Did you make the flight? Just barely, it was 30 minutes late.	Casual When something works out by luck.
283	Estar en las papas	To be doing great, mostly with money	El negocio está en las papas.The business is going great.	Casual Business is good and the money's coming in.
284	Por encima de los gandules	Top notch, the best	Ese arroz te quedó por encima de los gandules.That rice came out top notch.	Slang Gandules are pigeon peas.
285	Meter mano	To get to work	Vamos a meter mano pa' terminar temprano.Let's get to work so we finish early.	Casual Roll up your sleeves. Careful: here it can also mean to make a move on someone, so watch the context.
286	Tener la mancha de plátano	To be Puerto Rican to the core	Vive en Chicago, pero tiene la mancha de plátano.He lives in Chicago, but he's Puerto Rican to the bone.	Casual The "plantain stain" never washes off.
287	¡El jíbaro es cosa mala!	Country folk are nobody's fool	Quiso engañar a mi abuelo con el precio, pero el jíbaro es cosa mala.He tried to cheat my grandpa on the price, but country folk are nobody's fool.	Casual Praise for the sharp country person nobody can trick.
288	Estar como un juey bizco	To be totally lost or confused	Llegué a Ponce y estaba como un juey bizco.I got to Ponce and I was totally lost.	Slang A cross-eyed crab can't walk straight. You'll also hear "más perdido que un juey bizco".
289	Baño polaco	A quick wash	No hay tiempo, me di un baño polaco.There's no time, I took a quick wash.	Casual A fast rinse in the sink or a short shower.
290	A mí, plín	I couldn't care less	¿Que se enojó? A mí, plín.He got mad? I couldn't care less.	Casual Short and cheeky. You'll hear it in Spain too. "Me importa un pepino" says the same.
291	Dale que es tarde	Here we go again (at someone who won't let up)	Le dije que no, y él dale que es tarde con lo mismo.I told him no, and here he goes again with the same thing.	Casual Shows you're fed up with someone who keeps insisting.
292	Caerle comején al palo	To get hit by one problem after another	Primero se dañó el carro y después se fue la luz. Le cayó comején al palo.First the car broke down and then the power went out. One thing after another.	Casual Comején is termites eating a wooden post.
293	Estar en tres y dos	To be on the edge, undecided	Estoy en tres y dos con ese trabajo.I'm on the fence about that job.	Casual From a full count in baseball.
294	Comerse un cable	To have a rough time; to be bored stiff	Desde que perdió el trabajo se está comiendo un cable.Since he lost his job he's been struggling.	Slang "To eat a cable". Also when you're stuck alone at a party.
295	Estar como el arroz blanco	To be everywhere	Esa muchacha está como el arroz blanco, en to' los parties.That girl is everywhere, at all the parties.	Casual White rice goes with everything.
296	Servirse con la cuchara grande	To take the biggest share	En ese negocio él se sirvió con la cuchara grande.In that deal he took the biggest share.	Casual Getting more than your fair share. "Pasárselas con la cuchara ancha" is to get away with anything.
297	Coger de pendejo	To take someone for a fool	A mí no me vas a coger de pendejo.You're not going to take me for a fool.	Vulgar Strong, but common.
298	No ser cáscara de coco	To be no easy job	Arreglar ese techo no es cáscara de coco.Fixing that roof is no easy job.	Casual Use it for a hard task or a tough person.
299	Ojo pelao	Watch out, stay alert	Ojo pelao con el tapón en el expreso.Watch out for the jam on the highway.	Casual A warning to pay attention.
300	Estar al palo	To be in fashion; to be on a roll	Ese restaurante está al palo, siempre lleno.That restaurant is the hot spot, always full.	Slang Also "on a lucky streak".

Around Puerto Rico 35

Most slang is the same across the island. Each area adds a few local words and teasing town nicknames.

San Juan, Santurce and Loíza

The capital and its busiest barrio, where most trips start.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Cangrejero / cangrejera	Someone from Santurce	Soy cangrejero de toda la vida, me crié cerca de La Placita.I'm Santurce born and raised, I grew up near La Placita.
Las SanSe	The San Sebastián Street festival in Old San Juan each January	¿Vas pa' las SanSe este año? Va a estar to' el mundo.Are you going to the SanSe this year? Everyone will be there.
Vamos pa' La Placita	Let's go out at Santurce's market square	Es jueves, mano. ¡Vamos pa' La Placita!It's Thursday, man. Let's go to La Placita!
La vuelta del pendejo	A slow car cruise around Old San Juan without getting out ("pendejo" is a rude word)	Dimos la vuelta del pendejo por el Viejo San Juan.We cruised around Old San Juan.
Ir pa' la isla	To head out of the metro area	El domingo nos vamos pa' la isla a ver a mi abuela.On Sunday we're heading out to the island to see my grandma.
Ser de la isla	To be from outside San Juan	Se nota que es de la isla, saluda a to' el mundo en la guagua.You can tell he's not from San Juan, he says hi to everyone on the bus.

Fajardo, Luquillo and the east

The coast where visitors go for the beaches and the ferry to Vieques and Culebra. Locals tease the next town with nicknames.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Los Cariduros	Teasing nickname for people from Fajardo	Mi tío es de Fajardo, de los Cariduros de siempre.My uncle is from Fajardo, one of the old Cariduros.
Los Come Cocos	Teasing nickname for people from Luquillo	Los Come Cocos se pasan el domingo en los kioskos.The Luquillo folks spend Sunday at the kiosks.
Los Come Sopas	Teasing nickname for people from Ceiba	Mis primos son de Ceiba, de los Come Sopas.My cousins are from Ceiba, the Come Sopas.
La Riviera de Puerto Rico	Luquillo, by its nickname	Este fin de semana bajamos a la Riviera de Puerto Rico.This weekend we're heading down to Luquillo.
La Isla Nena	Vieques, by its nickname	Este fin de semana nos vamos pa' la Isla Nena.This weekend we're off to Vieques.
La Isla Grande	The main island, as people on Vieques and Culebra say it	Mañana cogemos la lancha pa' la Isla Grande a hacer compras.Tomorrow we take the ferry to the main island to go shopping.

Arecibo, Isabela and Aguadilla

The north and northwest coast, with its cliffs, surf beaches and a lot of friendly town pride.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
La Villa del Capitán Correa	Arecibo, by its nickname	Bajamos a la Villa del Capitán Correa a ver el faro.We're going down to Arecibo to see the lighthouse.
Ciudad del Cetí	Arecibo, the Cetí City	Mi abuela es de la Ciudad del Cetí, de toda la vida.My grandma is from Arecibo, born and raised.
Diamante del Norte	Arecibo, the Diamond of the North	Arecibo es el Diamante del Norte, ven a verlo.Arecibo is the Diamond of the North, come see it.
El pueblo de los quesitos de hoja	Isabela, known for its cheese pastries	Pasamos por Isabela, el pueblo de los quesitos de hoja.We stopped in Isabela, the town of the cheese pastries.
El pueblo de los tiburones	Aguadilla, by its nickname	Mi pana surfea en el pueblo de los tiburones.My buddy surfs in Aguadilla.
Jardín del Atlántico	Aguadilla, the Garden of the Atlantic	Aguadilla es el Jardín del Atlántico, ya verás.Aguadilla is the Garden of the Atlantic, you'll see.

Mayagüez, Rincón and Cabo Rojo

The west coast, from the college town of Mayagüez to the surf beaches of Rincón and the salt flats of Cabo Rojo.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Culiquemao / culiquemá	Teasing nickname for someone from Mayagüez	Mi pana es culiquemao, de Mayagüez de toda la vida.My buddy is a culiquemao, Mayagüez born and raised.
La Sultana del Oeste	Mayagüez, by its nickname	Este fin de semana bajamos a la Sultana del Oeste.This weekend we're heading down to Mayagüez.
El Colegio / colegial	UPR Mayagüez / one of its students	Mi hermana estudia en el Colegio, es colegiala de ingeniería.My sister studies at UPR Mayagüez, she's an engineering student there.
Los Mata con Hacha	Teasing nickname for people from Cabo Rojo	Los Mata con Hacha hacen la mejor fiesta del oeste.The Cabo Rojo folks throw the best party in the west.
La capital del surfing	Rincón, by its nickname	Cada invierno vamos a Rincón, la capital del surfing.Every winter we go to Rincón, the surfing capital.

Ponce, Guayama and the south

Ponce, the big city on the dry south coast, and the towns around it.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Ponce es Ponce y lo demás es parking	Ponce is Ponce, the rest is a parking lot	¿Mudarme a San Juan? No, mano, Ponce es Ponce y lo demás es parking.Move to San Juan? No way, man, Ponce is Ponce and the rest is a parking lot.
La Perla del Sur	Ponce, by its nickname	Bienvenidos a la Perla del Sur, aquí to' es más tranquilo.Welcome to Ponce, everything is calmer here.
Una ficha	A nickel, 5 cents (said mostly in the south; elsewhere it's a vellón)	Me faltan dos fichas pa' la piragua.I'm 2 nickels short for the shaved ice.
Balalú	A mess, a commotion	¡Qué balalú se formó en la plaza!What a commotion broke out in the plaza!
Prosero / prosera	Stuck-up, full of themselves	Ese tipo es bien prosero, no saluda a nadie.That guy is really stuck-up, he doesn't say hi to anyone.
El pueblo de los brujos	Guayama, the Witch City	Mi abuela dice que en el pueblo de los brujos no se juega con eso.My grandma says you don't mess with that in Guayama, the Witch City.

Cayey, Utuado and the central mountains

Cool mountain country with roast pork roads, coffee farms and a few old jíbaro words.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Ir pa' Guavate	To drive up to the roast pork road in Cayey	El domingo nos vamos pa' Guavate a comer lechón.On Sunday we're driving up to Guavate for roast pork.
Ciudad de las Brumas	Cayey, the Misty City	Cayey es la Ciudad de las Brumas, lleva suéter.Cayey is the Misty City, bring a sweater.
Ciudad del Viví	Utuado, by its nickname	Mi suegro es de la Ciudad del Viví, allá arriba.My father-in-law is from Utuado, up in the hills.
La altura	The highlands	Subimos a la altura a ver los cafetales.We drove up to the highlands to see the coffee farms.
El acabe	The party at the end of the coffee harvest	Cuando termina la cosecha hay acabe en la hacienda.When the harvest ends there's a party at the farm.
La pava	The wide straw hat of the jíbaro	Mi tío nunca sale al cafetal sin su pava.My uncle never goes out to the coffee farm without his straw hat.

Don't mix these up

Word	In Puerto Rico	Elsewhere
Bicho	A crude word for penis	A bug or small critter. Say "insecto" here.
Cuero	A crude word for a promiscuous woman, and leather too	Leather ("en cueros" is naked)
China	An orange	A Chinese woman, or the country
Guagua	A bus	A baby in Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia
Chavos	Money	Young people in Mexico
Pato	An offensive word for a gay man	A duck
Charro	Corny, tacky	A Mexican horseman
Chulo	Cute or lovely	Cocky, or a pimp, in Spain. Mexico uses it for cute, like here.
Relajar	To tease, to joke	To relax
Ligar	To stare, to check someone out	To flirt or hook up in Spain and much of Latin America
Ahorita	Later, maybe much later, or a moment ago	Right now in much of Latin America
Coger	To take or catch (a bus, a taxi, a cold)	A vulgar word for sex in Mexico and Argentina
Bellaco	Horny	A rogue or villain
Pastel / pasteles	A boiled Christmas parcel of plantain and root dough with meat, wrapped in leaf	Cake or a pastry
Bizcocho	Cake, and slang for a hottie	Sponge cake or a pastry
Brutal	Awesome	Savage or cruel in much of Latin America. Spain also uses it for awesome.
Goma	A car tire	Rubber or glue; a hangover in Central America
Embarcar	To leave someone hanging	To board a ship or plane
Meter mano	To get to work, or to make a move on someone	To grope someone, in much of the Spanish-speaking world
Pana	A friend	Corduroy in Spain
Fresco	Cheeky or forward with someone	Fresh, or cool weather
Pegao	Crispy rice from the pot, or a hit ("está pegao")	Stuck or glued
Bollo	A crude word for a woman's genitals	A bread roll or a bun. Ask for "pan" here.
Pendejo	A fool or a coward	A kid in Argentina, and a stronger insult in Mexico

Questions people ask

What does "acho papi" mean?

"Acho" comes from muchacho, and "acho papi" works like "damn, dude" or "oh man". You say it when you're surprised, annoyed or impressed. "¡Acho papi, qué calor!" means "Oh man, it's so hot!" Guys say it to each other with no romance at all.

What's a slang term for Puerto Rican?

The big one is "boricua", from Borikén, the Taíno name of the island. You'll also hear "Nuyorican" for New York Puerto Ricans and "jíbaro" for country folk.

What's Puerto Rican slang for friend or homie?

"Pana" is the everyday word, and "pana full" is your best friend. "Broki", "mano" and "mi brother" all work for a homie, and your whole crew is your "corillo".

What's Puerto Rican slang for girl, hot girl and lover?

A girl is a "nena", and a girlfriend is a "jeva". A hot girl is a "gata" or "mamita", and a secret lover is a "chilla" or "chillo".

How do you flirt in Puerto Rico?

To flirt is "tirarle" to someone, and sweet talk is "rapear". Ask "¿echamos un pie?" to get someone dancing. Keep it sweet with "¡qué chula te ves!", and save words like "bellaco" and "mamisonga" for close friends.

What does bicho mean in Puerto Rico?

In Puerto Rico "bicho" is a crude word for penis. Almost everywhere else it means a bug, so say "insecto" on the island.

What's Puerto Rican slang for money?

Money is "chavos", and prices in dollars are often said in "pesos". A quarter is a "peseta", a nickel is a "vellón" and coins are "menudo".

What are the Puerto Rican bad words to know?

Learn "bicho", "puñeta", "mamabicho", "come mierda", "cabrón", "coño", "toto" and "pato" so you know them when you hear them. Watch "cuero" and "fleje" too: about a woman, both are harsh insults.

What are some funny Puerto Rican phrases?

Try "estar como un juey bizco" (to be lost like a cross-eyed crab) or "estar como el arroz blanco" (to be everywhere, like white rice). "Cógelo con take it easy" and "baño polaco" (a quick wash) get a laugh from locals.

What are common Puerto Rican phrases?

Start with "buenas", "¿Qué es la que hay?", "dale", "a la orden", "¡wepa!" and "¡ay bendito!". You'll hear all 6 on your first day.

How do you say goodbye in Puerto Rico?

Most people just say "bye" in English, or "nos vemos" for "see you". With elders, ask for a "bendición" and they'll answer "Dios te bendiga".

What does bendito mean?

"¡Ay bendito!" is "oh no!" or "oh my God!", for pity or shock. A soft "bendito" alone means "poor thing".

What does bichiyal mean?

"Bichiyal" joins "bicha" and "yal". It's a put-down for a girl into reggaeton style and perreo, and Bad Bunny made it famous with his song "Bichiyal".

What does janguear mean?

"Janguear" is Spanglish for "to hang out" or "to go out". A night out is "el jangueo".

What does dale mean?

"Dale" means OK, sure or go ahead. You'll say it to agree to a plan, to tell a driver to go and to end a chat.

What does wepa mean?

"¡Wepa!" is a shout of joy, like "woo-hoo!". People yell it at parties, ball games and good news.

Why do Puerto Ricans say l for r?

An r at the end of a syllable often turns into an l, so "Puerto" sounds like "Puelto". The s at the end of a syllable goes soft too, so "estás" sounds like "'tah".

Do I need Spanish in Puerto Rico?

Many people in San Juan speak English. Out on the island, a few words like "a la orden", "dale" and "bendito" go a long way.

Slang in other countries

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Sources

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