Salvadoran slang: 300 phrases to sound like a local

300 phrases
300 real examples
30 slang
5 regions
30 local phrases
13 marked vulgar

Salvadorans call their slang caliche. It's packed with Nahuat roots, English loans and words you won't hear anywhere else.

Greetings and small talk 18

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
1	Buenas	Hi (any time of day)	Buenas, ¿tiene tortillas?Hi, do you have tortillas?	Everyday The short hello for shops, buses and strangers.
2	¿Qué ondas?	What's up?	¿Qué ondas, maje? ¿Cómo has estado?What's up, man? How have you been?	Casual The go-to hello between friends. Note the plural "ondas".
3	Todo tranquilo	All good	¿Qué ondas? Todo tranquilo, ¿y vos?What's up? All good, and you?	Casual The usual reply to "¿qué ondas?".
4	Vaya	OK, sure; alright then	¿Me esperás 5 minutos? Vaya.Can you wait 5 minutes for me? Sure.	Everyday It means yes. "Vaya pues" is the most common way to wrap up a chat or a call.
5	¿Quiubo?	Hey, how's it going?	¿Quiubo, vos? Hace rato no te veía.Hey, you! I haven't seen you in ages.	Casual Short for "¿qué hubo?". A quick hello on the street.
6	¿Y vos?	And you?	Bien, gracias. ¿Y vos?Good, thanks. And you?	Everyday Salvadorans use vos with friends and people their age.
7	¿Qué hacés?	What are you up to?	¿Qué hacés, chero? ¿Estás ocupado?What are you up to, buddy? Are you busy?	Everyday The vos form. Stress the end: ha-CÉS.
8	¿Qué contás?	What's new?	¿Qué contás, vos? ¿Cómo está tu familia?What's new with you? How's your family?	Everyday A warm opener once you know someone a bit.
9	¿Sos de aquí?	Are you from here?	¿Sos de aquí o andás de paseo?Are you from here or just visiting?	Everyday "Sos" is the vos form of "eres".
10	Tocayo / tocaya	Namesake, someone with your name	¿Te llamás Carlos? ¡Tocayo! Yo también.Your name is Carlos? Same name! Me too.	Casual Strangers who share a name call each other this for good.
11	¿Cómo amaneció?	How are you this morning?	Buenos días, don Chepe. ¿Cómo amaneció?Good morning, Mr. Chepe. How are you this morning?	Everyday A polite morning hello with usted. Common with older people.
12	Salú	Bye	Salú, nos vemos mañana.Bye, see you tomorrow.	Casual A quick goodbye between friends your age. With older people, say "que le vaya bien".
13	¡Simón!	Yeah! Sure!	¿Vamos a la playa el sábado? ¡Simón!Shall we go to the beach on Saturday? Yeah!	Slang The everyday yes between friends your age. Shared with Mexico. The matching no is "nel". With older people, say "sí" or "vaya".
14	Bien, gracias a Dios	Fine, thank God	¿Cómo está su mamá? Bien, gracias a Dios.How's your mom? Fine, thank God.	Everyday The standard answer to "how are you". You'll hear God a lot in small talk.
15	¿Va?	Right? OK?	Nos vemos a las 3 en el parque, ¿va?See you at 3 at the park, OK?	Casual Tag it on the end to check that someone agrees, as in "¿'ta chivo, va?".
16	¿Y de ahí?	And then what?	Se me fue el bus. ¿Y de ahí? Me tocó esperar el otro.I missed the bus. And then what? I had to wait for the next one.	Casual Keeps a story going when a friend stops halfway.
17	¡Que le vaya bien!	Take care!	Gracias por todo, ¡que le vaya bien!Thanks for everything, take care!	Everyday The usual goodbye to someone you call usted.
18	Dale pues	OK then, see you	Dale pues, nos vemos mañana.OK then, see you tomorrow.	Casual The usual way to end a chat or a call with friends, next to "vaya pues".

Getting around 33

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
19	¿Me lleva a...?	Can you take me to...?	¿Me lleva al centro, por favor?Can you take me downtown, please?	Everyday Ask the driver this before you get in.
20	¿Cuánto me cobra hasta...?	How much to...?	¿Cuánto me cobra hasta El Tunco?How much to El Tunco?	Everyday Agree on the price before the taxi moves.
21	Sívar / San Sívar	San Salvador	Mañana bajo a Sívar a hacer unos mandados.Tomorrow I'm heading into San Salvador to run some errands.	Slang The capital's street name. Use it with friends, not on forms.
22	¿Me deja en la esquina?	Can you drop me at the corner?	¿Me deja en la esquina, frente a la farmacia?Can you drop me at the corner, across from the pharmacy?	Everyday Works in a taxi or on a bus.
23	Bájeme aquí	Let me off here	Bájeme aquí, por favor.Let me off here, please.	Everyday Say it loud on a bus so the driver stops. "Aquí me quedo" works too.
24	La ruta	The city bus (by route number)	¿Qué ruta me deja en el centro?Which bus drops me off downtown?	Everyday Buses go by number, so people say "la 101" or "la ruta 42".
25	¿Cuánto es el pasaje?	How much is the fare?	Buenas, ¿cuánto es el pasaje al centro?Hi, how much is the fare downtown?	Everyday "El pasaje" is the bus fare. Have coins ready, since the driver may not have change.
26	¿Este bus pasa por...?	Does this bus go by...?	¿Este bus pasa por Metrocentro?Does this bus go by Metrocentro?	Everyday Ask the driver or the fare collector before you get on.
27	Hacer la parada	Flag down a bus	Hacele la parada al micro en la esquina.Flag down the minibus at the corner.	Everyday Stick your arm out and the driver stops. The stop itself is "la parada".
28	El cobrador	Fare collector on the bus	Pagale al cobrador cuando te subás.Pay the fare guy when you get on.	Everyday Many buses have a second man who takes the money.
29	El micro	Minibus	Agarrá el micro, sale más rápido.Take the minibus, it's faster.	Everyday Short for microbús. Smaller and quicker than the big bus.
30	El motorista	Driver (of any vehicle)	El motorista del Uber ya viene.The Uber driver's on the way.	Everyday Salvadorans say motorista where other countries say chofer or conductor.
31	Zumbado / zumbada	In a rush, fast	Iba bien zumbado para no perder el bus.I was in a real rush so I wouldn't miss the bus.	Casual Say it when you're running late, as in "voy zumbado".
32	¿Dónde queda...?	Where is...?	¿Dónde queda la terminal de buses?Where's the bus terminal?	Everyday Ask it for any place. People answer with landmarks like a church or a park.
33	Ahí no más	Right there, very close	¿Está lejos el parque? No, ahí no más, a 2 cuadras.Is the park far? No, it's right there, 2 blocks away.	Everyday Locals say it when a place is close enough to walk to.
34	Una cuadra	A block (about 100 m)	Está a 2 cuadras, a la par de la iglesia.It's 2 blocks away, next to the church.	Everyday People give short distances in cuadras.
35	¿Me puede ayudar?	Can you help me?	Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar? No encuentro mi hotel.Excuse me, can you help me? I can't find my hotel.	Everyday The polite usted way to ask a stranger for help.
36	Me robaron	I was robbed	Me robaron el celular en el bus.Someone stole my phone on the bus.	Everyday Say it to the police or your hotel. The emergency number is 911.
37	Carterista	Pickpocket	Cuidado con los carteristas en el bus.Watch out for pickpockets on the bus.	Everyday Use it to warn a friend or to tell the police what happened.
38	Tacuazín	Thief	Cuidado con la mochila, que aquí hay mucho tacuazín.Watch your backpack, there are lots of thieves here.	Slang Literally an opossum, the animal that raids the henhouse at night.
39	La PNC	The national police	La PNC tiene un retén en la carretera a La Libertad.The police have a checkpoint on the road to La Libertad.	Everyday Checkpoints are common, so keep your passport or a copy on you.
40	El parqueo	Parking lot; parking fee	¿Hay parqueo en el hotel?Is there parking at the hotel?	Everyday Salvadorans say parqueo, not estacionamiento. It can also mean the parking fee.
41	Dar jalón	Give someone a ride	¿Me das jalón a la casa?Can you give me a ride home?	Casual The word for a free lift from a friend. "Echarse un jalón" means to have a shot of liquor.
42	El pick-up	Pickup truck	Nos fuimos atrás en el pick-up hasta la playa.We rode in the back of the pickup to the beach.	Everyday Outside the cities, people often catch a ride in the back of a pickup.
43	El redondel	Roundabout	Doblá en el redondel y seguí recto.Turn at the roundabout and keep going straight.	Everyday Roundabouts are the big landmarks for directions.
44	El túmulo	Speed bump	Despacio, que ahí viene un túmulo.Slow down, there's a speed bump coming.	Everyday They're everywhere, even on highways.
45	Tráfico	Traffic	Hay un tráfico horrible en la Escalón.There's horrible traffic on Escalón.	Everyday Drivers use it as the excuse when they run late.
46	¡Puyale!	Step on it, hurry up	Puyale, joven, que se me va el vuelo.Step on it, the flight's about to leave without me.	Casual Say it to a taxi driver or a friend at the wheel.
47	La colonia	Neighborhood	¿En qué colonia vivís?What neighborhood do you live in?	Everyday Addresses use colonia.
48	Remar	Walk a long way	Nos tocó remar desde la parada.We had to walk all the way from the stop.	Slang Literally "to row".
49	El cantón	Village, rural area	Mis abuelos viven en un cantón de Morazán.My grandparents live in a village in Morazán.	Everyday A small rural community outside town.
50	El turicentro	Public water park	El domingo vamos al turicentro de Los Chorros.On Sunday we're going to the Los Chorros water park.	Everyday Cheap state parks with pools. Packed on weekends.
51	¿Me presta el baño?	Can I use your bathroom?	Disculpe, ¿me presta el baño?Excuse me, can I use your bathroom?	Everyday Ask it in a shop or an eatery. "Prestar" means to lend, but here it means let me use.

Food and drink 34

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
52	¿Me regala...?	Can I have...? (to order)	¿Me regala 2 pupusas revueltas y un café?Can I get 2 mixed pupusas and a coffee?	Everyday The polite Salvadoran way to order or buy. You still pay.
53	Pupusa	Thick stuffed corn tortilla	Deme 3 pupusas de queso con loroco.Give me 3 cheese and loroco pupusas.	Everyday The national dish. Order by filling and eat it with your hands. A pupusa place is a "pupusería", and most open in the late afternoon.
54	Revuelta	Mixed-filling pupusa	Una revuelta y una de frijol con queso, por favor.1 mixed and 1 bean and cheese, please.	Everyday Pork, beans and cheese. The most ordered kind.
55	Curtido	Pickled cabbage slaw	Echale más curtido a la pupusa.Put more slaw on your pupusa.	Everyday It's free on every table. Pile it on.
56	Para llevar o para comer aquí	To go or to eat here	¿Para llevar o para comer aquí? Para llevar.To go or for here? To go.	Everyday The first thing a pupusería asks you.
57	Un licuado	Smoothie	¿Me regala un licuado de guineo con leche?Can I get a banana smoothie with milk?	Everyday Fruit stands blend them to order.
58	Guineo	Banana	Un racimo de guineos cuesta un dólar en el mercado.A bunch of bananas costs a dollar at the market.	Everyday The word you'll see on market signs. "Plátano" is the big cooking plantain.
59	El comedor	Cheap set-lunch eatery	Almorzamos en un comedor a la par del mercado.We had lunch at an eatery next to the market.	Everyday The food sits "a la vista" behind glass, so you point at what you want.
60	¿Qué me recomienda?	What do you recommend?	¿Qué me recomienda, la de chicharrón o la revuelta?What do you recommend, the pork one or the mixed one?	Everyday Use usted with the cook or the waiter.
61	Chile	Hot sauce	¿Pica mucho? Póngale poquito chile, por favor.Is it very spicy? Just a little hot sauce, please.	Everyday Most food comes mild, with chile on the side. Ask "¿pica?" to check how hot it is.
62	Fresco	Fruit drink	¿De qué tiene el fresco hoy?What flavor is the fruit drink today?	Everyday It comes with most set lunches.
63	Una soda	Soft drink	¿Me regala una soda bien helada?Can I get an ice-cold soft drink?	Everyday Any fizzy drink. Ask for the flavor or the brand you want.
64	Pilsener	The national beer	Dos Pilsener bien heladas, por favor.Two ice-cold Pilsener beers, please.	Everyday The classic Salvadoran lager. You can also just ask for "una Pilsener".
65	Loroco	Edible flower bud	La de loroco es mi favorita.The loroco one is my favorite.	Everyday A green, herby filling you won't find at home.
66	Pupusear	Go out for pupusas	¿Vamos a pupusear el sábado?Want to go eat pupusas on Saturday?	Casual Friends and families say it when they plan a pupusa night out.
67	Casamiento	Rice and beans	El desayuno trae huevos, casamiento y plátano.Breakfast comes with eggs, rice and beans, and plantain.	Everyday Literally "marriage".
68	Chirmol	Fresh tomato salsa	Ponele chirmol a la carne asada.Put some tomato salsa on the grilled meat.	Everyday It comes on the side with grilled meat.
69	Pan con chumpe	Turkey sandwich in sauce	En Navidad siempre comemos pan con chumpe.At Christmas we always eat turkey sandwiches.	Everyday "Chumpe" is turkey. A party and holiday classic.
70	Chompipe	Turkey	Mi mamá va a hornear un chompipe para Navidad.My mom is going to roast a turkey for Christmas.	Everyday The Salvadoran word for turkey. Market stalls and menus say it, and "chumpe" is the short form.
71	Yuca con chicharrón	Cassava with fried pork	Pedimos yuca con chicharrón para compartir.We ordered cassava with fried pork to share.	Everyday A street food staple, topped with curtido.
72	Riguas	Sweet fresh-corn patties	Compramos riguas en la carretera.We bought corn patties by the highway.	Everyday Cooks make them from young corn and sell them by the road.
73	Elote loco	Loaded corn on a stick	Me comí un elote loco en el parque.I ate loaded corn on the cob at the park.	Everyday Mayo, ketchup, mustard and cheese.
74	Mango verde con alguashte	Green mango with pumpkin-seed salt	Compré un mango verde con alguashte y limón afuera del mercado.I bought green mango with pumpkin-seed salt and lime outside the market.	Everyday Street carts sell it in a bag. Alguashte is ground pumpkin seeds, also spelled "aiguashte".
75	Atol shuco	Dark fermented corn drink	Un atol shuco bien caliente, por favor.A really hot atol shuco, please.	Everyday "Shuco" means dirty, for its color.
76	Chilate	Spiced corn drink	El chilate se toma con nuégados.You drink chilate with sweet fritters.	Everyday A rainy afternoon favorite.
77	Horchata de morro	Seed-based horchata	Una horchata de morro bien helada.An ice-cold morro horchata.	Everyday People grind morro seeds for it.
78	Ensalada	Chopped fruit drink	Pedí una ensalada y me trajeron un vaso de fruta picada.I ordered an "ensalada" and got a glass of chopped fruit.	Everyday You get a glass of fruit in juice. No lettuce.
79	Minuta	Shaved ice with syrup	Con este calor, se me antoja una minuta.In this heat, I could go for a shaved ice.	Everyday Street carts sell it on hot days, often outside schools and parks.
80	Kolashampan	Sweet cola-flavored soda	Un kolashampan bien frío, por favor.A really cold kolashampan, please.	Everyday The national soda, sold at every pupusería and corner shop.
81	Pan con pollo	Chicken sandwich with sauce and veggies	Compramos 3 panes con pollo en la calle.We bought 3 chicken sandwiches on the street.	Everyday The famous street sandwich. People say "panes con pollo" for more than one.
82	Tamal	Steamed corn dough parcel	Los sábados mi abuela vende tamales de pollo.On Saturdays my grandma sells chicken tamales.	Everyday A Saturday and Christmas treat. Wrapped in plantain leaf, so unwrap it first.
83	Forrarse	Stuff yourself	Me forré de pupusas, ya no puedo ni moverme.I stuffed myself with pupusas, I can't even move.	Casual You'll hear it after a big family lunch.
84	Huacal	Gourd bowl	En el pueblo nos sirvieron el atol en huacal.In the village they served us the corn drink in a gourd bowl.	Everyday Half a dried gourd makes the bowl. Any tin water bowl can be a huacal too. A "cuchumbo" is any container, like a bucket or a tub.
85	Bajonear	Go eat, chow down	Ya tengo hambre, vamos a bajonear.I'm hungry, let's go eat.	Slang Say it with friends your age. With older people, just say "vamos a comer".

Money and shopping 29

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
86	¿Cuánto le debo?	How much do I owe you?	Buenas, ¿cuánto le debo por las pupusas y las sodas?Hi, how much do I owe you for the pupusas and the sodas?	Everyday How you ask for the total at a pupusería, a tienda or a comedor. Small places often take cash only, so carry small dollar bills.
87	¿Cuánto vale?	How much is it?	Buenas, ¿cuánto vale la libra de mango?Hi, how much is a pound of mango?	Everyday Ask it at any market stall. "¿A cómo está...?" asks the going rate, as in "¿a cómo está el mango?".
88	Pisto	Money	No ando pisto, ¿me prestás?I don't have any money on me, can you lend me some?	Slang The everyday word for cash.
89	Sencillo	Small change, coins	¿Tenés sencillo? Solo traigo un billete de 20.Do you have small change? I've only got a 20.	Everyday Buses and street stalls want it.
90	Cora	Quarter, 25 cents	El chicle está a una cora.The gum is a quarter.	Casual El Salvador uses the US dollar.
91	Níquel	A small coin	No tengo ni un níquel para el bus.I don't have a single coin for the bus.	Casual Older people say it most, for any small coin.
92	El vuelto	Change (money back)	Quédese con el vuelto.Keep the change.	Everyday Count it before you walk away.
93	¿La propina está incluida?	Is the tip included?	Joven, ¿la propina está incluida en la cuenta?Excuse me, is the tip included in the check?	Everyday Many restaurants add the tip to the check, so look before you pay more.
94	¿Me hace una rebajita?	Can you knock a bit off?	Llevo 3, ¿me hace una rebajita?I'm taking 3, can you knock a bit off?	Everyday Ask at markets and street stalls. "Un descuentito" works too.
95	¿Lo tiene más barato?	Do you have it cheaper?	Me gusta la hamaca, pero ¿la tiene más barata?I like the hammock, but do you have it cheaper?	Everyday A friendly way to start haggling at a market stall.
96	Está carísimo	That's way too expensive	¡Está carísimo! En el otro puesto está a 10.That's way too expensive! At the other stall it's 10.	Everyday Say it with a smile and the price often drops.
97	De choto	For free	¿Es de choto el café? Sí, viene con el desayuno.Is the coffee free? Yes, it comes with breakfast.	Slang "¿Es de choto?" is how you ask if something's free. It sounds playful, so skip it in a formal setting.
98	La chumpa	Jacket	¿Cuánto cuesta esta chumpa? En Ataco hace frío de noche.How much is this jacket? It gets cold at night in Ataco.	Everyday Mountain towns get chilly after dark, so you may need one.
99	La calzoneta	Swimsuit, swim trunks	Se me olvidó la calzoneta. ¿Dónde venden una por aquí?I forgot my swimsuit. Where can I buy one around here?	Everyday The beach word. Beach shops sell them.
100	Los caites	Sandals, old shoes	Dejá los zapatos y ponete los caites para ir a la playa.Leave the shoes and put on your sandals for the beach.	Casual Also spelled "cayte". It can mean any old shoe too.
101	Yinas	Flip-flops	Llevá tus yinas, que la arena quema.Bring your flip-flops, the sand is burning hot.	Casual Beach towns sell them on every corner.
102	La tienda	Corner shop	Voy a la tienda por tortillas y unas sodas.I'm going to the corner shop for tortillas and some sodas.	Everyday Every block has one. It sells snacks, drinks and basics.
103	Fiado	On credit	Doña Toña me da fiado en la tienda.Doña Toña lets me buy on credit at the shop.	Everyday Corner shops keep a tab for regulars.
104	Hacer el mandado	Do the food shopping	Voy al mercado a hacer el mandado.I'm going to the market to do the shopping.	Everyday Moms send kids to do it at the corner shop. "Un mandado" on its own is any errand.
105	Chafa	Cheap, poor quality	Ese cargador es chafa, ya no sirve.That charger is junk, it already stopped working.	Slang Shared with Mexico. It's also a scornful word for a soldier.
106	Pinche	Stingy	No seas pinche, invitá una ronda.Don't be stingy, buy a round.	Casual It means cheap with money. "Codo" means the same.
107	Billetudo	Loaded, rich	Su papá es billetudo, tiene 3 casas en la playa.His dad's loaded, he has 3 beach houses.	Casual Fine about someone, but rude to say to their face.
108	Sin un cinco	Broke	Estoy sin un cinco hasta el viernes.I'm broke until Friday.	Casual "Andar jodido" means the same, but it's vulgar.
109	Bajado / bajada	Ripped off, tricked	Salí bajado con ese celular, no sirve.I got ripped off with that phone, it doesn't work.	Casual Use it about a bad deal, not to a vendor's face.
110	Chunches	Stuff, things	Agarrá tus chunches que ya nos vamos.Grab your stuff, we're leaving.	Casual Moms say it when the mess has to go. Older people use it too.
111	Hacer la cabuda	Chip in, pool money	Hagamos la cabuda para la gasolina.Let's all chip in for gas.	Casual Everyone puts in a bit for the same thing.
112	Bisne	Business, deal	Mi primo tiene un bisne de ropa usada.My cousin has a used clothes business.	Slang From English "business".
113	Coyote	Middleman, street reseller	Le compré el boleto a un coyote afuera del estadio.I bought the ticket from a reseller outside the stadium.	Casual It's also the word for a people smuggler, so the context matters.
114	Tener jaranas	Owe money, have debts	No puedo salir, tengo jaranas hasta el cuello.I can't go out, I'm up to my neck in debt.	Casual "Hacer jarana" means to cheat someone.

Bars and going out 21

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
115	Una helada	A cold beer	¿Nos echamos una helada?Shall we have a cold one?	Casual Safe at any bar or beach shack. The waiter will know what you mean.
116	Una fría	A cold beer	Con este calor, se me antoja una fría.In this heat, I could go for a cold beer.	Casual Same idea as "una helada", and just as safe.
117	Una birria	A beer	2 birrias bien heladas, por favor.2 ice-cold beers, please.	Slang Shared with Honduras and Nicaragua. Friends say it at bars and beach shacks.
118	Una chela	A beer	¿Pedimos unas chelas?Shall we order some beers?	Slang Shared with Mexico and the rest of Central America. Friends say it at bars and beach shacks. The feminine "chela" can also mean a fair-skinned woman.
119	¡Joven!	Excuse me! (to a waiter)	¡Joven! ¿Me trae otra birria, por favor?Excuse me! Can you bring me another beer, please?	Everyday The polite way to call a young waiter or shop worker. Call a young woman "señorita" or "niña".
120	Boquitas	Bar snacks	Aquí te dan boquitas con cada cerveza.Here you get snacks with every beer.	Everyday Many bars bring small plates free with drinks.
121	Guaro	Cane liquor	El guaro está barato, pero pega duro.Cane liquor is cheap, but it hits hard.	Casual Cheap guaro is strong, so go slow.
122	Bolo / embolarse	Drunk; get drunk	Ya estás bolo, mejor te llevo a tu casa.You're drunk already, I'd better take you home.	Casual The everyday word for drunk. "Nos embolamos" means we got drunk.
123	Chupar	Drink (alcohol)	Anoche estuvimos chupando hasta tarde.Last night we were drinking till late.	Slang Your crew says it. In front of family, say "tomar" instead.
124	Picarse	Want to keep going (drinking, eating)	Ya me piqué, pidamos otra.Now I'm hooked, let's order another.	Casual Say it when 1 beer turns into 3. It works for snacks too.
125	Vacilar	Go out, have fun	Esta noche salimos a vacilar.Tonight we're going out to have fun.	Casual It also means to kid someone.
126	Echarse unos tragos	Have a few drinks	¿Nos echamos unos tragos después del trabajo?Shall we have a few drinks after work?	Everyday Coworkers say it too. A "trago" is any drink with liquor.
127	Pachanga	Loud party	El sábado hay pachanga en la casa de Memo.There's a party at Memo's place on Saturday.	Casual A party with music, dancing and drinks.
128	La Zona Rosa	Nightlife district	Nos vemos en la Zona Rosa a las 10.See you in the Zona Rosa at 10.	Everyday San Salvador's best-known bar area.
129	La Selecta	The national soccer team	Hoy juega la Selecta, vamos a verla al bar.The national team plays today, let's watch at the bar.	Everyday Game nights fill every bar.
130	La chanchona	Local folk band	En las fiestas del pueblo tocó una chanchona.A chanchona band played at the town fair.	Everyday Danceable country music with a double bass.
131	Un tema	A song	¡Qué buen tema! Subile.What a great song! Turn it up.	Everyday Friends your age say "canción" or "tema" for any song.
132	Chupe	A drinking session	Anoche hubo chupe en la casa de Mario.There was a drinking session at Mario's place last night.	Slang Said about a night of drinking with friends. "Chupar" is the verb.
133	Estar a verga	Be wasted	Ese maje está a verga, no puede ni caminar.That guy's wasted, he can't even walk.	Vulgar Only with friends.
134	El chaparro	Homemade cane liquor	En el cantón nos ofrecieron chaparro.In the village they offered us homemade cane liquor.	Slang People brew it without a license, and it can be very strong, so go slow.
135	La goma	Hangover	Tengo una goma terrible, no me hablés.I've got a terrible hangover, don't talk to me.	Casual Say it at work on a Monday and everyone gets it.

Friends and people 26

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
136	Chero / chera	Friend, buddy	Vine con 2 cheros de la U.I came with 2 buddies from college.	Slang The warmest word for a friend.
137	Paisa	Fellow Salvadoran, countryman	¿Vos también sos guanaco? ¡Somos paisas!You're Salvadoran too? We're from the same country!	Casual A warm word for someone from your own country. In Colombia it means someone from Antioquia.
138	¿Me pasás tu WhatsApp?	Can I get your WhatsApp?	Me caíste bien, ¿me pasás tu WhatsApp?I liked meeting you, can I get your WhatsApp?	Casual Everyone uses WhatsApp, so this is how you swap numbers.
139	Maje	Dude; also idiot	Maje, ¿me pasás la sal?Dude, can you pass the salt?	Slang Friendly between guys. When you say it about someone, it means idiot.
140	Cipote / cipota	Kid, young person	Esa cipota es mi sobrina.That girl is my niece.	Everyday Any kid or teen. Very Salvadoran.
141	Bicho / bicha	Kid	Los bichos están jugando en la calle.The kids are playing in the street.	Casual Literally "bug". "Bicha" can also mean girlfriend.
142	Los jefes	Your parents	Mis jefes me dejaron ir a la playa.My parents let me go to the beach.	Casual "Jefe" and "jefa" also mean dad and mom. Friends say it about their own parents. Street use
143	Guanaco / guanaca	Salvadoran	Somos guanacos, aquí todos comemos pupusas.We're Salvadoran, everyone here eats pupusas.	Casual Salvadorans use it with pride. From outsiders it can sting.
144	Chele	Fair-skinned or blond person	¡Ey, chele! ¿De dónde sos?Hey, blondie! Where are you from?	Casual What you'll get called if you're light-skinned. It's friendly.
145	Colocho / colocha	Curly-haired person	La colocha de la tienda es bien buena gente.The curly-haired girl at the shop is really nice.	Casual It also means a curl.
146	La mara	Your crew (listen only)	Toda la mara va a ir a la playa.The whole crew is going to the beach.	Slang Listen only, since it also means a street gang. Gang words can get you stopped by police under the state of exception.
147	Brother	Close friend, drinking buddy	¿Qué ondas, brother?What's up, bro?	Slang Borrowed from English.
148	Compa	Pal	Mi compa me ayudó con la mudanza.My pal helped me move.	Casual Coworkers say it too. Short for "compañero".
149	Buena onda	Nice, easygoing	Tu hermano es bien buena onda.Your brother is really easygoing.	Casual The top compliment for a person.
150	Coco	Clever, brainy	Mi hermano es bien coco para las matemáticas.My brother is really brainy at math.	Casual Keep it singular. "Cocos" is slang for breasts.
151	Tata	Dad	Mi tata trabaja en la capital.My dad works in the capital.	Casual Most common in the countryside and with older people. "Mis tatas" means my parents.
152	Nana	Mom	Mi nana hace las mejores pupusas.My mom makes the best pupusas.	Casual Most common in the countryside and with older people. In the city, most people say "mi mamá".
153	Ruco / ruca	Old man, old woman	El ruco de la esquina vende el mejor café.The old man on the corner sells the best coffee.	Casual It can sound rude to their face.
154	La niña	Miss (polite address)	La niña Carmen hace las mejores pupusas.Miss Carmen makes the best pupusas.	Everyday Used for women of any age, even grandmas.
155	Seño	Ma'am, miss; teacher	Seño, ¿me da una soda?Ma'am, can I get a soft drink?	Everyday Kids also use it for teachers.
156	Mija / mijo	Dear, honey (from "mi hija", "mi hijo")	¿Qué va a llevar, mija?What are you getting, honey?	Casual Market sellers and older people call you this. It's a warm word.
157	Mi amor	Love, honey	¿Qué le doy, mi amor? Los mangos están bien dulces.What can I get you, love? The mangoes are really sweet.	Casual Vendors say it to customers all the time, so don't read it as flirting.
158	Cholo	Chubby-cheeked, healthy; buff	Ese bebé está bien cholo.That baby looks so chubby and healthy.	Casual In El Salvador it's a compliment.
159	Cuilio	Cop	Ahí vienen los cuilios.Here come the cops.	Slang A bit rude.
160	Hacer barra	Tag along; cheer on	¿Me hacés barra al banco? No quiero ir solo.Will you come with me to the bank? I don't want to go alone.	Casual Friends ask it when they want company. It also means to cheer for a team.
161	Tener ñeque	Have grit, be strong	Mi abuela tiene ñeque, todavía carga leña.My grandma is tough, she still carries firewood.	Casual Praise for someone strong in body or will.

Reactions and feelings 30

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
162	Chivo / chiva	Cool, great	Tu hotel 'ta chivo, ¿va?Your hotel is cool, right?	Slang The most Salvadoran word there is. "¿'Ta chivo, va?" asks a friend to agree.
163	Cabal	Exactly, right	¿Entonces nos juntamos el sábado? ¡Cabal!So we're meeting up on Saturday? Exactly!	Casual Agree with what someone just said.
164	¡Púchica! / ¡A la gran púchica!	Shoot! Wow!	¡Púchica! Se me olvidó la billetera.Shoot! I forgot my wallet.	Casual A clean stand-in for a swear word, fine around kids. "A la gran púchica" is the bigger version.
165	¡Puya!	Whoa! Yikes!	¡Puya, me asustaste!Yikes, you scared me!	Casual For a surprise or a fright.
166	Me da pena	I'm embarrassed; I feel shy	Me da pena hablar español con mi acento.I'm embarrassed to speak Spanish with my accent.	Everyday Here it means embarrassed. You'll hear it from shy kids and polite adults alike.
167	Cachimbón	Awesome; a great person	El concierto estuvo cachimbón.The concert was awesome.	Slang Milder than "vergón", but still too loose for elders.
168	Vergón	Awesome; OK	¡Vergón, nos vemos a las 8!Awesome, see you at 8!	Vulgar Common among friends. Rude in front of elders.
169	¡A huevo!	Hell yes, of course	¿Vamos a la playa el sábado? ¡A huevo!Beach on Saturday? Hell yes!	Vulgar Friends say it like "¡cabal!", only stronger. It can also mean you had no choice, as in "a huevo me tocó pagar".
170	De a pija	Really well, awesome	Nos fue de a pija en el viaje.The trip went awesome.	Vulgar "Pija" is slang for penis, so friends only. Never say it in front of elders or kids.
171	Galán	Nice, good	Está galán el día para ir a la playa.It's a nice day to go to the beach.	Casual A soft, friendly word, so grandparents use it too.
172	Pijudo / pijuda	Awesome, excellent	¡Qué pijudo estuvo el concierto!The concert was awesome!	Vulgar Very common among friends. It comes from "pija", so never say it to elders.
173	Arrecho	Great, awesome; tough, skilled	¡Estuvo arrecho el partido!The game was awesome!	Vulgar It also means horny, so say it only about a skill or a thing, never about a person's mood or looks. In the east it can mean angry.
174	¡Achís!	Wow! Whoa!; also damn!	¡Achís, qué bonita está la playa!Wow, the beach looks so beautiful!	Casual Mostly for surprise or wonder. It can also show you're fed up, as in "¡achís, se me olvidó el paraguas!".
175	¡Nombre!	No way! Wow!	¡Nombre! ¿En serio te ganaste la rifa?No way! You really won the raffle?	Casual Older people say it a lot.
176	¡Te pelaste!	You nailed it! or You blew it!	¡Te pelaste! Te quedó bien chivo el mural.You nailed it! Your mural came out really cool.	Slang It can also mean you blew it, so the tone tells you which.
177	¡Juela!	Damn!	¡Juela, se fue la luz!Damn, the power's out!	Casual A softened "hijueputa". Plenty of adults say it, but skip it with elders you don't know.
178	Estar caliente	Be mad, be angry	Mi papá está caliente porque llegué tarde.My dad is mad because I got home late.	Casual It can also mean horny, so mind the context.
179	¡Wácala!	Gross!	¡Wácala, hay una cucaracha!Gross, there's a cockroach!	Casual Kids say it at anything slimy.
180	Achucuyarse	Lose heart, get down	Me achucuyé cuando vi que estaba lloviendo en la playa.I lost heart when I saw it was raining at the beach.	Casual A soft word for feeling a bit low. "Andar achorcholado" means the same.
181	Cacaso	Lame, a letdown	La fiesta estuvo bien cacaso, nos fuimos temprano.The party was really lame, we left early.	Casual Use it for films, meals and parties that let you down.
182	¡Ay ve vos!	Up to you!	Si no querés venir, ¡ay ve vos!If you don't want to come, that's up to you!	Casual Fine with friends. With a stranger it can sound cold.
183	Encachimbarse	Get furious	Se encachimbó porque llegamos tarde.He got furious because we were late.	Casual It's cleaner than "emputarse".
184	Ido / ida	Spaced out, absent-minded	Perdoná, ando bien ido hoy, no dormí.Sorry, I'm really spaced out today, I didn't sleep.	Casual Say it about yourself on a slow morning.
185	Aguitado / aguitada	Bored, out of steam	Ando bien aguitado, no tengo ganas de nada.I'm really bored, I don't feel like doing anything.	Casual In Mexico "agüitado" means sad, but here it means bored and low on energy.
186	¡Qué leche!	What luck!	¡Qué leche, encontramos el último bus!What luck, we caught the last bus!	Casual "Tener leche" means to be lucky, and so does "estar derecho".
187	Tener culillo	Be scared	Tengo culillo de subirme a esa lancha.I'm scared to get on that boat.	Casual Fine with friends and family. "Culillo" is a bit crude, so skip it at work.
188	Ahuevarse	Get scared, chicken out	Se ahuevó y no se tiró del muelle.He chickened out and didn't jump off the pier.	Vulgar It comes from "huevos", slang for balls. Say it with friends only. "Andar ahuevado" can also mean to feel embarrassed.
189	Estar salado / salada	Unlucky	¡Qué salado! Se me pinchó la llanta otra vez.So unlucky! I got a flat tire again.	Casual The opposite is "tener leche".
190	Chillar	Cry; complain	No chillés, mañana te compro otro sorbete.Don't cry, I'll buy you another ice cream tomorrow.	Casual Adults "chillan" too, when they complain.
191	Alebrestado / alebrestada	Worked up, wound up	Los cipotes andan alebrestados con la piñata.The kids are all wound up about the piñata.	Casual It can also mean randy, so watch the context.

Fillers and everyday words 30

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
192	Veá	Right? Isn't it?	Veá que está rico el café.The coffee's good, right?	Everyday Opens a sentence to get you to agree.
193	Fijate que...	So, get this...	Fijate que perdí el bus.So, get this, I missed the bus.	Everyday It starts almost any story.
194	Mirá	Look, listen	Mirá, mejor vamos mañana.Look, let's go tomorrow instead.	Everyday The vos form of "mira".
195	Oíme	Hey, listen	Oíme, ¿vos sabés dónde queda el mercado?Hey, do you know where the market is?	Everyday The vos form of "óyeme".
196	Bolado	Thing, whatchamacallit	Pasame ese bolado de la mesa.Pass me that thing on the table.	Slang It works for any object or topic.
197	Vaina	Hassle, trouble; thing	¡Qué vaina! Se me arruinó el celular.What a hassle! My phone broke.	Casual Shared across the region. "Esa vaina" can also mean that thing.
198	Babosada	Nonsense; a silly thing	No digás babosadas.Don't talk nonsense.	Casual Parents say it to teens all the time. "Carajada" means a worthless thing, but it's cruder.
199	Un vergazal	A huge amount	Había un vergazal de gente en la playa.There was a huge crowd at the beach.	Vulgar Heard among friends. For a safe choice say "un montón".
200	Chiche	Easy	El examen estuvo chiche.The exam was easy.	Casual It's also slang for breast, so watch the context.
201	Está yuca	It's tough	Está yuca encontrar taxi a esta hora.It's tough to find a taxi at this hour.	Casual The opposite of "chiche".
202	Simás	Almost	Simás me caigo en la calle.I almost fell in the street.	Casual Older people say it most.
203	Dos que tres	So-so	¿Cómo estuvo la comida? Dos que tres.How was the food? So-so.	Casual A polite way to say something was just OK.
204	¡Ma!	Here you go	¡Ma! Ahí está tu vuelto.Here you go! There's your change.	Casual Short for "toma". You say it as you hand something over.
205	En veces	Sometimes	En veces llueve en la tarde.Sometimes it rains in the afternoon.	Casual Textbooks say "a veces".
206	Chuco / shuco	Dirty	Tu cuarto está bien chuco, limpialo.Your room is really dirty, clean it.	Casual Food that's "chuco" has gone bad.
207	Enchibolarse	Get mixed up	Me enchibolé con tantas rutas de bus.I got mixed up with so many bus routes.	Casual A jokey way to say you're confused.
208	Andar chulón / chulona	Be naked	El cipote andaba chulón en el patio.The kid was running around naked in the yard.	Casual Parents say it about little kids after a bath.
209	Andar chuña	Be barefoot	No andés chuña, la arena quema.Don't go barefoot, the sand is burning hot.	Casual Moms say it to kids all day at the beach and the pool.
210	La haragana	Lounge chair, rocking chair	Mi abuelo se duerme en la haragana después del almuerzo.My grandpa falls asleep in the lounge chair after lunch.	Everyday Most homes have one on the porch.
211	Ponerse aguja	Stay sharp	Ponete aguja con la cartera en el centro.Keep an eye on your purse downtown.	Slang "Aguja" means ready or focused.
212	Ponerse trucha	Stay alert	Ponete trucha en la terminal, que hay mucho ladrón.Stay alert at the bus terminal, there are lots of thieves.	Slang "Trucha" on its own means sharp or clever.
213	Desmadre	Chaos, a mess	En la boda de mi primo se armó un desmadre cuando se fue la luz.At my cousin's wedding, all hell broke loose when the power went out.	Casual Shared with Mexico. It has "madre" in it, so skip it with elders.
214	Chueco / chueca	Broken, badly made	Esta silla está chueca, mejor no te sentés.This chair is wobbly, better not sit on it.	Casual For anything that doesn't work right.
215	Un cachimbazo	A hard hit, a bad fall	Se dio un cachimbazo en la moto, pero está bien.He took a hard fall on his motorbike, but he's OK.	Casual "Pencazo" and "zapotazo" mean the same. "De un cachimbazo" means all of a sudden.
216	La bolsa	Pocket	Llevá el celular en la bolsa de adelante, no en la de atrás.Keep your phone in your front pocket, not the back one.	Everyday Here it means a pocket. A bag is often "una bolsa" too, so the context tells you.
217	Zancudo	Mosquito	En la playa hay un montón de zancudos, ponete repelente.There are tons of mosquitoes at the beach, put on some repellent.	Everyday You'll hear it at dusk on the coast.
218	Jodarria	Hassle, pain	¡Qué jodarria hacer tanta cola en el banco!What a pain to wait in such a long line at the bank!	Casual For anything that bugs you.
219	¡Qué clavo!	What a problem!	¡Qué clavo! Se me fue el último bus.What a problem! I missed the last bus.	Casual "Tener un clavo" means to have a problem you can't easily fix.
220	¡Sho!	Shh! Be quiet!	¡Sho! Que el bebé está dormido.Shh! The baby's asleep.	Casual Moms say it to noisy kids. To an adult stranger it sounds rude.
221	Chucho / chucha	Dog	Cuidado con el chucho, muerde.Watch out for the dog, it bites.	Everyday Street dogs are everywhere. Chucho is also a nickname for Jesús, and a person called chucho is stingy.

Time and plans 15

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
222	Ahorita	In a bit	Ahorita te llamo.I'll call you in a bit.	Everyday It can mean 5 minutes or 3 hours.
223	La chamba	Job, work	Mañana no puedo, tengo chamba temprano.I can't tomorrow, I have work early.	Casual Shared with Mexico. "Chambear" means to work.
224	Juntarse	Meet up	¿Nos juntamos a las 7 en la pupusería?Shall we meet at 7 at the pupusa place?	Everyday When people say it about a couple, it means they moved in together.
225	Al suave	Calmly, no rush	Tranqui, hacelo al suave, no hay prisa.Relax, take it slow, there's no rush.	Casual The opposite of "al chilazo".
226	Media vez	As soon as; as long as	Media vez llegués, me avisás.As soon as you get there, let me know.	Casual You'll hear it in plans and promises.
227	Al chilazo	Right away	Me arreglaron la llanta al chilazo.They fixed my tire right away.	Slang Mechanics and street vendors say it when they promise a fast job. The opposite of "al suave".
228	Primero Dios	God willing	Primero Dios, mañana salimos para Suchitoto.God willing, we leave for Suchitoto tomorrow.	Everyday People say it about almost any plan.
229	Dar chance	Give a sec, let someone	Dame chance, ya casi termino.Give me a sec, I'm almost done.	Casual Shop staff say it while they find your change. "Un chance" is also a job.
230	Utual	Right on time; right now	Llegá utual, que el bus sale a las 6.Be there right on time, the bus leaves at 6.	Slang Older people and the countryside say it most. Young people in the city say "ya" or "al chilazo".
231	Mañanear	Get up early	Hay que mañanear para ver el amanecer en el volcán.We have to get up early to see the sunrise on the volcano.	Casual Volcano hikes and long bus rides start at dawn.
232	Hacer un volado	Do a favor, run an errand	¿Me hacés un volado? Comprame tortillas.Can you do me a favor? Buy me some tortillas.	Casual Fine with friends and family. Ask it as a favor, with a smile.
233	Asueto	Public holiday, day off	El lunes es asueto, no abren los bancos.Monday's a holiday, the banks are closed.	Everyday The word on the news and at work. Check the date, since banks and offices close.
234	La quincena	Mid-month payday	Te pago en la quincena.I'll pay you on payday.	Everyday Salaries come twice a month.
235	Chotear / chotiar	Be on vacation, go on outings	Esta semana ando choteando en la playa.This week I'm on vacation at the beach.	Casual Locals say it for days off and trips.
236	Chiflarse	Forget	Me chiflé de traer el pasaporte.I forgot to bring my passport.	Casual A soft way to say you forgot.

Teasing and insults 27

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
237	Baboso / babosa	Idiot, dummy	No seas baboso, eso no se hace.Don't be an idiot, you don't do that.	Casual Mild. Friends use it all the time.
238	Dundo / dunda	Dumb	¡Qué dundo sos! Te dije a la derecha.You're so dumb! I said to the right.	Casual Mild, like "silly". Rude to a stranger.
239	Bayunco	Goofy, silly	Mi primo es bien bayunco, siempre anda haciendo payasadas.My cousin is really goofy, he's always clowning around.	Casual Mild and playful. Friends and family say it with a smile. Older people use it for something ridiculous or tacky.
240	Cerote	Jerk, piece of crap	Ese cerote me robó el celular.That jerk stole my phone.	Vulgar Strong. Literally a turd.
241	Pendejo	Jerk, idiot	No seas pendejo, pedile perdón.Don't be a jerk, say sorry to her.	Vulgar Rude to anyone you don't know well. Friends may say it as a joke.
242	Hijueputa	Son of a bitch	¡Ese hijueputa se pasó el semáforo!That son of a bitch ran the red light!	Vulgar The strongest common insult. Between close friends it can be a joke.
243	Huevón	Lazy bum	Levantate, huevón, ya son las 10.Get up, you lazy bum, it's already 10.	Vulgar It means lazy.
244	Paja / dar paja	A lie, nonsense; feed someone a line	Me estás dando paja, eso no pasó.You're lying to me, that didn't happen.	Casual A liar is a "pajero", but the word also means wanker, so use it with care.
245	El chambre	Gossip (talk)	¿Ya oíste el chambre de la oficina?Have you heard the office gossip?	Casual Office and family gossip both count. A gossip is a "chambroso", and a chatterbox is a "chachalaca".
246	Ocho con yo	Busybody	Mi tío es bien ocho con yo, ya le contó a todos.My uncle is such a busybody, he already told everyone.	Slang A tease between friends. Don't say it to an elder.
247	Pediche	Moocher	No seas pediche, comprate tus propias papas.Don't be a moocher, buy your own chips.	Casual A tease between friends. To a stranger it's rude.
248	Igualado	Too familiar, cheeky	Ese mesero es bien igualado.That waiter is way too familiar.	Casual Older people say it about someone who acts too familiar. Don't say it to their face.
249	Fachento	Show-off	Es bien fachento con su carro nuevo.He's such a show-off with his new car.	Casual A tease between friends. To a stranger it's rude.
250	Fufurufo	Stuck-up, posh	Se volvió fufurufo desde que vive en la Escalón.He's gotten stuck-up since he moved to Escalón.	Casual A tease. Rude to a stranger's face.
251	Jayán / jayana	Rude, coarse	No seas jayán, saludá a la señora.Don't be rude, say hello to the lady.	Casual Parents scold kids with it.
252	Lambiscón	Suck-up	Es un lambiscón con el profesor.He's a suck-up with the teacher.	Casual An insult, so say it about someone, not to them.
253	Culicagado	Coward; brat	No seas culicagado y subite.Don't be a chicken, get on.	Vulgar It's built from "culo" (ass) and "cagado" (shat). Friends use it as a dare, but never say it to a stranger.
254	Maleta	Bad at something	Soy bien maleta para bailar.I'm really bad at dancing.	Casual People use it to joke about themselves.
255	Güiro / güira	Bumpkin, someone who doesn't know better	No seas güiro, así no se usa el cajero.Don't be a bumpkin, that's not how you use the ATM.	Casual A tease between friends. Said to a stranger, it's rude.
256	Seco	Skinny	Mi hermano está bien seco, parece palo de escoba.My brother is really skinny, he looks like a broomstick.	Casual Affectionate. Friends and family say it with a smile.
257	Peche	Skinny, thin	Estás bien peche, comé más pupusas.You're so skinny, eat more pupusas.	Casual Grandmas say it as they fill your plate.
258	Cholotón / cholotona	Big, chubby	El chucho del vecino está bien cholotón.The neighbor's dog is really big and chubby.	Casual Say it about babies, pets and things. About an adult, it can sting.
259	Agarrar de pato	Make fun of someone	Me agarraron de pato por mi acento.They made fun of me for my accent.	Casual If it happens to you, laugh along.
260	Achicar	Put someone down	No me achiqués enfrente de tus amigos.Don't put me down in front of your friends.	Casual It means to humiliate someone.
261	Cucar	Needle, provoke	Dejá de cucar a tu hermano.Stop needling your brother.	Casual Parents say it to kids a lot.
262	Atarantado / atarantada	Slow, clumsy	Ese maje es bien atarantado, siempre se pierde en el centro.That guy is so slow, he always gets lost downtown.	Casual A mild tease.
263	Chambón / chambona	Useless, sloppy	Ese mecánico es bien chambón, la llanta sigue mala.That mechanic is useless, the tire's still bad.	Casual A complaint about bad work. Say it about someone, not to them.

Love and flirting 18

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
264	Caerle a alguien	Ask someone out	Le caí a la chera del gimnasio.I asked out the girl from the gym.	Casual You'll hear it about someone making a move.
265	Mi jalón	My boyfriend	Te presento a mi jalón, se llama Kevin.Meet my boyfriend, his name is Kevin.	Casual Don't mix it up with "dar jalón", which means to give a ride. Avoid "jalona", which can mean a prostitute.
266	Tener pegue	Have pull, be a charmer	Ese maje tiene pegue con las cheras.That guy has a way with the girls.	Casual It's a compliment.
267	Chulo / chula	Cute, good-looking	¡Qué chula se ve con ese vestido!She looks so cute in that dress!	Casual Aunts say it about babies, and it works for things too.
268	Me gustás	I like you	Me gustás mucho, ¿querés salir conmigo?I like you a lot. Do you want to go out with me?	Casual The vos form of "me gustas". Say it only when you mean it.
269	¿Querés bailar?	Do you want to dance?	Suena una cumbia, ¿querés bailar?A cumbia is on, do you want to dance?	Everyday The polite way to ask. Smile, and take a no as a no.
270	Marinovio / marinovia	Live-in partner	Ya viven juntos, son marinovios.They already live together, they're common-law partners.	Casual Half "marido", half "novio".
271	Clavado	Smitten	Estoy clavado con ella desde el colegio.I've been into her since high school.	Casual Always add "con" and the person. On its own, "clavado" can mean high on drugs.
272	Me llega	I like him, her or it	Ese cipote me llega.I really like that guy.	Slang Young people use it.
273	¿Tenés novio?	Do you have a boyfriend?	¿Tenés novio o estás sola?Do you have a boyfriend or are you single?	Casual Ask it after you have talked for a while. For a woman asking a man, "¿tenés novia?" flips it.
274	Perro	Player, womanizer	No salgás con él, es bien perro.Don't go out with him, he's a total player.	Casual Said to someone's face, it's an insult.
275	Poner los cachos	Cheat on	Su novio le puso los cachos y ella ni sabía.Her boyfriend cheated on her and she had no idea.	Casual It's gossip, so watch who's listening.
276	Chinear	Pamper; carry	Le encanta que su novio la chinee.She loves it when her boyfriend pampers her.	Casual It also means to carry a baby.
277	Hacer piojito	Stroke someone's hair	Me encanta cuando me hacés piojito.I love it when you play with my hair.	Casual A sweet family word. Kids ask their moms for it too.
278	Amelcochado / amelcochada	Lovey-dovey	Andan bien amelcochados desde la boda.They've been all lovey-dovey since the wedding.	Casual A gentle tease about a couple.
279	Amontonar	Cuddle	Estaban amontonados en el sofá viendo una película.They were cuddled up on the couch watching a movie.	Casual It also means to pile things up.
280	Jaña	Girlfriend, girl (listen only)	Esa jaña es la hermana de mi chero.That girl is my buddy's sister.	Slang It started in prisons and gangs. Gang words can draw police attention, so just listen for it.
281	¿Me das tu número?	Can I get your number?	Me caíste bien, ¿me das tu número?I like you, can I get your number?	Everyday Friendly and direct. Most people will say yes or no with a smile.

Sayings and expressions 19

#	Phrase	Meaning	Example	When to use
282	Ojo al Cristo	Watch out (for thieves)	Ojo al Cristo con el celular en el centro.Watch your phone downtown.	Casual Older people say it as a warning.
283	Parar bola	Pay attention	Pará bola, que te van a robar.Pay attention or you'll get robbed.	Casual "Pará bola" is the vos command. Teachers say it to a class too.
284	Cada uno pela su guineo	Everyone pays their own way	Vamos a la playa, pero cada uno pela su guineo.Let's go to the beach, but everyone pays their own way.	Casual Use it when you invite friends out.
285	Dar atol con el dedo	String someone along	Te está dando atol con el dedo, nunca te va a pagar.He's stringing you along, he'll never pay you.	Casual People say it about empty promises.
286	Hacerse el de los panes	Play dumb	Le pregunté por el pisto y se hizo el de los panes.I asked him about the money and he played dumb.	Casual Use it when someone dodges a question.
287	Írsele el avión	Space out, forget	Perdón, se me fue el avión. ¿Qué decías?Sorry, I spaced out. What were you saying?	Casual Safe at work, even with your boss.
288	Estar para el tigre	Be wiped out	Después de subir el volcán, estoy para el tigre.After climbing the volcano, I'm wiped out.	Casual It works for tired or for feeling awful.
289	Poner el dedo	Snitch on someone	Mi hermano me puso el dedo con mi mamá.My brother snitched on me to my mom.	Casual Kids say it about their siblings.
290	Me vale	I don't care	Si llueve, me vale, igual vamos a la playa.If it rains, I don't care, we're going to the beach anyway.	Casual You'll hear it all day. "Me vale verga" is the vulgar version, so keep that one for friends.
291	Agarrar llave	Get mad easily	No le digás nada, agarra llave por todo.Don't say anything to him, he gets mad at everything.	Casual Say it about someone, not to them.
292	Tener cuello	Have pull, have connections	Consiguió la chamba porque tiene cuello.He got the job because he has connections.	Casual People say it with a shrug about jobs and favors.
293	Chucho no come chucho	Dog doesn't eat dog	No lo van a acusar, chucho no come chucho.They won't report him, dog doesn't eat dog.	Casual People in the same group cover for each other.
294	Matanga dijo la changa	Finders keepers	Se le cayó un dólar y ¡matanga dijo la changa!He dropped a dollar and, finders keepers!	Casual You say it as you grab something.
295	Pelar el ayote	Kick the bucket	El perro de mi tía ya peló el ayote.My aunt's dog kicked the bucket.	Casual A joking way to say someone died.
296	Petatearse	Die, kick the bucket	Don Chepe se petateó la semana pasada.Mr. Chepe passed away last week.	Casual Shared with Mexico and the rest of Central America. Too casual for a funeral.
297	Pelar la mazorca	Laugh, grin from ear to ear	Cuando le dieron el regalo, peló la mazorca.When they gave him the gift, he grinned from ear to ear.	Casual The mazorca is the corn cob, so think of a big row of teeth.
298	A calzón quitado	Brutally honest	Hablemos a calzón quitado.Let's be totally honest.	Casual A common, mild saying. Literally "with your underwear off".
299	Echarle ganas	Put in effort, give it your best	Echale ganas al estudio, que ya casi terminás.Put some effort into your studies, you're almost done.	Everyday A phrase of encouragement. Say "¡echale ganas!" to cheer a friend on.
300	Ni a palos	No way, not for anything	¿Yo, bajar a Sívar hoy? Ni a palos.Me, go down to San Salvador today? No way.	Casual A firm no. Good-humored among friends.

Around El Salvador 30

The accent and a handful of words change from place to place. The east drops its s sounds, the Nahuat towns near Sonsonate keep a few Nahuat words, and each area has its own dishes.

San Salvador

The capital and its valley. People from outside call it Sívar, and capital speakers tease the countryside for its slow talk. It is where you'll land, change buses and go out at night.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Ir al centro	Go downtown to the old city center	Mañana voy al centro a comprar zapatos.Tomorrow I'm going downtown to buy shoes.
Subir a los Planes	Head up to Los Planes de Renderos for pupusas and the view	¿Subimos a los Planes a cenar?Shall we head up to Los Planes for dinner?
Capitalino / capitalina	Someone from the capital	Ella es capitalina, nunca ha vivido en el campo.She's from the capital, she's never lived in the countryside.
El Gran San Salvador	The whole metro area around the capital	Vivo en Santa Tecla, pero eso ya es el Gran San Salvador.I live in Santa Tecla, but that's part of greater San Salvador.
Las fiestas agostinas	The capital's August festival	Para las fiestas agostinas hay feria y desfiles en el centro.During the August festival there's a fair and parades downtown.

Santa Ana, the Ruta de las Flores and the Nahuat towns

Talk in the west keeps Nahuat words that other regions lost. It runs from Santa Ana and the coffee towns of Juayúa and Ataco down to Izalco and Nahuizalco near Sonsonate, where a few older people still speak Nahuat.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Yek peyna	Good morning (Nahuat)	En Santo Domingo de Guzmán, un abuelo me saludó: «Yek peyna».In Santo Domingo de Guzmán, an old man greeted me: "Good morning."
Yek tiutak	Good afternoon (Nahuat)	La señora del puesto nos dijo «yek tiutak» y se rio de mi respuesta.The woman at the stall said "good afternoon" in Nahuat and laughed at my reply.
El tiankis	The market (Nahuat)	Mi abuela todavía le dice tiankis al mercado.My grandma still calls the market the "tiankis".
Pedir canchul	Go door to door for food on November 1	En Nahuizalco los cipotes salen a pedir canchul con su campanita.In Nahuizalco the kids go door to door for treats with their little bell.
El barrio de arriba / el barrio de abajo	Izalco's 2 halves, Dolores and Asunción	En Izalco, mi tía vive en el barrio de arriba.In Izalco, my aunt lives in the upper part of town.
Chachaguillos	Small chicken or pork tamales with loroco cream	En Juayúa probé los chachaguillos con crema de loroco.In Juayúa I tried the little tamales with loroco cream.
Papalota	Butterfly (Nahuat)	Mirá esa papalota amarilla en el jardín.Look at that yellow butterfly in the garden.
Elotasca	Sweet fresh-corn patty, the rural word for rigua	Mi tía hizo elotascas con la cosecha.My aunt made corn patties from the harvest.
Currunco	A type of beetle (Nahuat)	Un currunco se metió en la casa anoche.A beetle got into the house last night.

San Miguel and the east

The hot east around San Miguel and Usulután, plus the Morazán hills, where the s turns into h more than anywhere else.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
¿Cómo ehtáh?	How are you? (the s turned into h)	¿Cómo ehtáh, vos? ¿Ya comihte?How are you? Have you eaten yet?
Noh vemoh	See you (the s turned into h)	Vaya pueh, noh vemoh mañana.OK then, see you tomorrow.
La caha	Home, the house (the s turned into h)	Ya me voy pa' la caha, ehtoy cansado.I'm heading home, I'm tired.
Andar arrecho	Be angry, be in a mood	No le hablés, anda bien arrecho desde la mañana.Don't talk to him, he's been in a foul mood since this morning.
Los carnavalitos	Neighborhood street parties before the big Carnival on the last Saturday of November	Esta noche hay carnavalito en la colonia.There's a street party in the neighborhood tonight.
Arroz negrito	Dark rice, a Morazán side dish	Me sirvieron arroz negrito con plátano y crema.They served me dark rice with plantain and cream.

La Libertad and the surf coast

The Pacific beaches around the port, from El Tunco to El Zonte, where surfers and fishermen share the sand.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Bajar al Puerto	Go down to the town of La Libertad	El domingo bajamos al Puerto a comer pescado.On Sunday we're going down to La Libertad to eat fish.
El muelle	The old pier of La Libertad, where the fish are sold	Compramos pescado fresco en el muelle.We bought fresh fish at the pier.
Jaibas	Blue crabs	En el muelle venden jaibas recién sacadas.At the pier they sell crabs fresh out of the water.
Pepesca con yuca	Fried baby sardines with cassava	La pepesca con yuca frita es lo más barato del menú.Fried sardines with cassava is the cheapest thing on the menu.
Punta Roca	The town's famous right-hand surf break	En Punta Roca las olas son rápidas, solo para surfistas con experiencia.At Punta Roca the waves are fast, only for experienced surfers.

Chalatenango

The cool, green north on the Honduran border, where the ch can sound soft, almost like sh.

Phrase	Meaning	Example
Chalateco / chalateca	Someone from Chalatenango	Mi mamá es chalateca, de la mera cabecera.My mom is from Chalatenango, right from the main town.
Chicle chalateco	Squash seeds with toasted peanuts	Compré una bolsita de chicle chalateco para el camino.I bought a little bag of squash seeds and peanuts for the road.
Zorrillo	Fresh beans with chopped green mango	Mi abuela hace zorrillo cuando hay mangos tiernos.My grandma makes beans with green mango when the young mangoes are in.
Mogo	Fried mashed green banana	De desayuno me dieron mogo con crema.For breakfast they gave me fried green banana mash with cream.
Zafa caite	An old folk dance from the area	El grupo folclórico bailó el zafa caite en la casa de la cultura.The folk dance group performed the zafa caite at the cultural center.

Don't mix these up

Word	In El Salvador	Elsewhere
Cipote	A kid or a teen	In Spain it's vulgar slang for penis
Bicho	A kid	In Puerto Rico it's a very vulgar word for penis
Pinche	Stingy, cheap with money	In Mexico it's a strong swear word, like "damn"
Arrecho	Great or skilled, and also horny. In the east, angry	In Colombia it mostly means horny, and in Venezuela angry
Pajero	A liar, but also a wanker	In Spain it mostly means a wanker
Pija	Vulgar slang for penis. "De a pija" means awesome	In Spain, "pijo" or "pija" means posh
Chiche	Easy, and also slang for breast	In Argentina and Chile, a toy or a trinket
Coger	Can mean to have sex, so say "agarrar" for grab	In Spain, to take or catch, like a bus
Goma	A hangover	Rubber, an eraser or glue
Bolo	Drunk	In Spain, a bowling pin, or a gig for a musician
Huevón	Lazy	In Chile, "dude" between friends, or an idiot
Culero	An offensive slur for a gay man	In Mexico it means a jerk or a coward
Ensalada	A drink of chopped fruit in juice	A salad
Tortilla	A thick corn flatbread	In Spain, a potato omelette
Chela	A beer, or a fair-skinned woman	In Mexico and Peru, only a beer
Motorista	Any driver, of a bus, car or taxi	A motorcyclist
Mara	Your group of friends, but also a street gang	In Honduras, mostly a street gang. In Guatemala, "la mara" also means a group of people
Pisto	Money	In Spain, a vegetable stew
Regalar	"¿Me regala...?" means "can I have...?", and you still pay	To give something as a gift
Bolsa	A pocket, as in "la bolsa de atrás"	A bag
Chucho	A dog, or a stingy person	In Chile, slang for jail
Coyote	A people smuggler, or a street reseller	Mostly just the animal
Concha	A black clam, served raw in a seafood cocktail	In Argentina, Chile and Peru it's vulgar slang for the female genitals
Cholo	Chubby or buff, said as a compliment	In Peru and the US it can be a slur or a gang word
Fresco	A fruit drink	In many countries, cheeky or cool, or just fresh
Vaya	Yes, OK	In Spain, "wow" or "what a"
Pena	Embarrassment, as in "me da pena"	In Spain, sorrow or pity

Questions people ask

What does "chivo" mean in Salvadoran slang?

It means cool or great, as in "¡Qué chivo!". You'll hear "¿'ta chivo, va?" when someone wants you to agree.

What does "vaya pues" mean?

It means "OK then" or "alright". People say it to wrap up a chat or to end a phone call.

What does "maje" mean?

Between friends it means dude. When people say it about someone else, it means an idiot, so listen to the tone.

Do Salvadorans use vos or tú?

Friends and people the same age use vos, as in "¿vos qué querés?". Use usted with strangers and older people, and you'll hear tú only now and then.

What is caliche?

Caliche is what Salvadorans call their own slang. It mixes Nahuat roots, English loans and words you won't hear in other countries.

What does "bicho" mean in Salvadoran slang?

It means a kid or a young person, and "bicha" can also mean girlfriend. In Puerto Rico it's a vulgar word, so don't take it there.

What is the slang term for Salvadorans?

Guanaco, or guanaca for a woman. Salvadorans use it with pride, but it can sting when an outsider says it as a put-down.

How do Salvadorans say "cool"?

The big one is "chivo", as in "¡Qué chivo!". You'll also hear "cachimbón", "galán" and, among friends, the cruder "pijudo" and "vergón".

What are some Salvadoran insults and bad words?

Mild ones are "baboso", "dundo" and "maje", and strong ones are "cerote", "pendejo" and "hijueputa". Keep all of these away from older people.

What is Salvadoran slang for girl?

"Cipota" is the everyday word for a girl, and "bicha" works too. You'll hear "jaña" on the street, but it comes from gang slang, so just listen for it.

What is Salvadoran slang for a pretty girl?

People say "chula" for a good-looking woman. Catcalls like "mamacita" are rude, and many women find it rude.

What are some funny Salvadoran slang words?

"Pelar el ayote" means to kick the bucket, and "pelar la mazorca" means to grin from ear to ear. "Matanga dijo la changa" means finders keepers, and "ni a palos" means no way.

Can you give some Salvadoran slang sentence examples?

"¿Qué ondas, maje? ¿Vamos a pupusear?" means "What's up, man? Want to go eat pupusas?" "No ando pisto, está yuca" means "I've got no money, it's tough."

What is Salvadoran slang for money?

The everyday word is "pisto", as in "No ando pisto". A quarter is a "cora", and "¿es de choto?" asks if something's free.

What is Salvadoran slang for friend?

Say "chero" for a guy and "chera" for a woman. "Compa" and "brother" work too, and "maje" is the casual "dude".

How do you order pupusas in El Salvador?

Start with "¿Me regala...?" and name the filling, as in "¿Me regala 2 revueltas y 1 de queso con loroco?". Pile on the curtido and eat them with your hands.

What is Salvadoran slang for boyfriend or girlfriend?

Say "novio" for a boyfriend and "novia" for a girlfriend. Friends sometimes say "mi jalón" for a partner, but "dar jalón" means to give a ride. A live-in partner is a "marinovio" or "marinovia". Skip "jalona", which can mean a prostitute.

What is Salvadoran slang for beer?

Ask for "una helada" or "una fría", which work at any bar. Friends also say "chela" and "birria", which Honduras and Nicaragua share.

Can you use Mexican slang in El Salvador?

People will understand a lot of it from TV, but it marks you as a foreigner. Say "chero" over "cuate" and "una helada" over "una chela". "Pisto" is more common than "lana" for money. A few words, like "simón", "chamba", "chafa" and "desmadre", are shared, and the page marks them.

Are any slang words risky to use in El Salvador?

The country has been under a state of exception since 2022, and gang words or hand signs can get you stopped by police. Skip "mara", "jaña" and any hand signs, even as a joke.

What does "cerote" mean?

It's a strong insult, like "jerk", and it literally means a turd.

What does "cipote" mean?

It means a kid or a young person, and "cipota" is a girl. In Spain it's a vulgar word, so keep it in Central America.

What does "chero" mean?

It means a friend or buddy, and "chera" is a female friend. It's the warmest everyday word for a friend.

What does "púchica" mean?

It's a clean way to say "shoot!" or "wow!" that's fine around kids.

Slang in other countries

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Sources

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