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The Chilean Slang. Chilean Spanish has a multitude of words and expressions that are only used inside the country, or only a few of the neighboring countries. Many go back to the influence of the Quechua and Mapudungun languages spoken by the native population of the area.
- Achacarse. If you’re having a bad day and at some point, you start to feel sad, this verb is what you’re looking for. No te achaques – Don’t be sad.
- Al lote. When something is done in a disorganized or chaotic way. Hice este ensayo al lote – I did this essay in a disorganized way.
- Al toque. Let’s imagine that you are in a hurry and something needs to be done as fast as possible. In this case, we’ll use this expression for saying immediately or right now.
- Andar pato. Used to express not having any money at that moment. No puedo ir con ustedes, ando pato – I can’t go with you guys, I don’t have money.
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Apr 24, 2024 · Chileans use a lot of slang in everyday speech and for someone that has studied Spanish in a "normal" environment (School, University), it may feel like you have to start from scratch again. But fear not, we have created a dictionary of Chilean Slang which also doubles as a cultural dictionary.
- Po — Pues. This versatile word supposedly comes from the Spanish word pues, which in itself is pretty challenging to understand. Po has a similar meaning, and is usually used as a filler word and to add emphasis.
- Weón — Friend, guy, man, idiot. Like many other Chilean slang words, the meaning of this word all depends on the context. If you say it in an angry way it could be an insult, but if you say it in a friendly way it refers to a friend or brother.
- ¿Cachai? — Do you understand? Does it make sense? You better get used to this one, because it is one of the most common Chilean slang terms! People of all ages use it, and it doesn’t get old.
- Cacho — I understand. This is a very Chilean way of saying “I understand,” and you can use it to reply to someone when they say ¿Cachai? You can also say No cacho, which is the same as saying “I don’t understand.”
- Bacán / Filete. You can say any of these two words to express that something is “cool” or “awesome.” Bacán is one of the most common words of Chilean slang, and it’s definitely related to the Colombian “bacano” also used in the same context.
- Fome. If something is boring you to death, Chileans say that it’s fome. ¡Qué fome esta película! How boring is this movie!
- Dar pelota. This is a cool expression that literally translates as “to give a ball.” However, its real meaning has nothing to do with ball games, dar pelota means to pay attention to something or someone.
- Dar jugo. Another interesting expression of Chilean slang which in this case means that someone is talking nonsense. If translated literally it would mean “to give juice.”
May 1, 2024 · Caña. Meaning: hangover. Ay, que caña que tengo. I have the worst hangover. 12. Carrete. Meaning: party (noun) Be sure not to confuse carrete with the next slang word, carretear. This one is the noun rather than a verb, so you’d use it to refer to an actual party (otherwise known as a fiesta in standard Spanish).
Learn Chilean Spanish SlangWelcome to the ultimate guide for Chilean Spanish slang! This page is your gateway to understanding the vibrant and unique slang used across Chile. From the streets of Santiago to the shores of Valparaíso, Chilean Spanish is rich with idiomatic expressions that are essential for anyone looking to fully grasp the local […]
