{"id":144126,"date":"2024-02-14T08:25:22","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T13:25:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/guatemalan-slang\/"},"modified":"2025-01-25T04:53:25","modified_gmt":"2025-01-25T09:53:25","slug":"guatemalan-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/spanish\/guatemalan-slang\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Common Guatemalan Slang Terms to Understand the Locals"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you\u2019re set on going to Guatemala?<\/p>\n

Here’s my advice: Eat tons of plantains\u2014fried with black beans and rice<\/a>. Dance to music played by street musicians near the fountain in Antigua.<\/p>\n

And be sure to go to Laguna Magdalena<\/em>\u00a0(Lake Magdalena) and jump into the cold, turquoise water.<\/p>\n

But before you go, learn these 30 most used slang terms, so you can converse with the locals and sound like a native!<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Most Common Guatemalan Slang Words<\/h2>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

1. Chap\u00edn \/ Chapina<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Guatemalan person<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The \u201cofficial\u201d Spanish word for a person from Guatemala is Guatemalteco<\/em> but the term is rarely used outside of textbooks.<\/p>\n

Instead, Chap\u00edn<\/em> refers to a Guatemalan male and Chapina<\/em> to a female<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Mar\u00eda es chapina<\/strong>.<\/em> \u2014 Mar\u00eda is Guatemalan.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0<\/em>A huevos<\/em> \u2014 For sure<\/h3>\n

This literally means “to the eggs,” but it is used to say \u201cfor sure<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00bfQuieres ir al cine ma\u00f1ana?<\/em> \u2014 Do you want to go to the movies tomorrow?<\/p>\n

A huevos.<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 For sure.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0Cabal<\/em> \u2014 All good<\/h3>\n

This means that you\u2019re in agreement with a situation, that something is right or correct or that it\u2019s \u201call good<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Literally, the word\u00a0translates to English as\u00a0“thorough,” but in Guatemala it’s used much more loosely.<\/p>\n

Esta musica es cabal<\/strong>.<\/em> \u2014 This music is good.<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0Calid\u00e1<\/em> \u2014 Cool<\/h3>\n

This is the shortened variant of the word calidad<\/em>, which means “quality,” but Guatemalans use it to say something is cool<\/strong>, or that it exceeds their expectations.<\/p>\n

Ese restaurante es calid\u00e1<\/strong>.<\/em> \u2014 That restaurant is cool.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0Cerote<\/em> \u2014 Dude<\/h3>\n

This is a very versatile word.<\/p>\n

It can mean a big piece of excrement, but it\u2019s often used between very close friends as a stand-in for the word “dude<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

\u00bfQu\u00e9 tal, cerote<\/strong>?<\/em> \u2014 What’s up, dude?<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a1Aguas!<\/em> \u2014 Watch out!<\/h3>\n

Of course, its literal translation is \u201cwater,\u201d but when you hear this spoken loudly it means that danger is approaching<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a1Aguas!<\/strong> Una coche viene.\u00a0<\/em> \u2014 Watch out! A car is coming.<\/p>\n

7. Chilero<\/em> \u2014 Awesome<\/h3>\n

This is another way of expressing appreciation, so if you like what\u2019s being suggested, just use this word!\u00a0<\/p>\n

This is one that has lots of related meanings such as “awesome,” “pretty,” “good,”<\/strong> etc.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Vamos a Panajachel el lunes.<\/em> \u2014 We’re going to Panajachel on Monday.<\/p>\n

\u00a1Chilero!<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Awesome!<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0Pisto<\/em> \u2014 Cash<\/h3>\n

This is a slang expression for “cash<\/strong>,” so if you\u2019re going out to eat or plan to catch a tuk-tuk<\/em>, be sure you have some pisto<\/em> in your pocket.<\/p>\n

\u00bfTiene pisto<\/strong> para el mercado?<\/em> \u2014 Do you have cash for the market?<\/p>\n

9.\u00a0Ser muy viernes<\/em> \u2014 It’s such a drag<\/h3>\n

When faced with an event that’s kind of a drag<\/strong>, locals often say,\u00a0“Ser muy viernes<\/em>.”<\/p>\n

Literally, it means \u201cIt\u2019s so Friday,\u201d but it\u2019s understood that Friday means old or something that\u2019s dull.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Este desfile es muy viernes<\/strong>.<\/em> \u2014 This parade is a drag.<\/p>\n

10.\u00a0Clavo<\/em> \u2014 Problem<\/h3>\n

This word literally means “nail.” For whatever slangy reason, it\u2019s the word commonly used to declare there\u2019s a problem<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tengo un clavo<\/strong> con mi coche.<\/em> \u2014 I have a problem with my car.<\/p>\n

11.\u00a0Chucho<\/em> \u2014 Greedy person<\/h3>\n

So, literally, the word means “dog,” but it\u2019s used to refer to a greedy person<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

For example, if someone tried to overcharge you on a job or at the market, you would call that person a\u00a0chucho<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In this instance, it’s a little derogatory\u2014but sometimes it\u2019s a term of endearment!<\/p>\n

\u00c9l trat\u00f3 de\u00a0cobrarme 100 quetzales; \u00a1qu\u00e9 chucho<\/strong>!<\/i><\/em> \u2014 He tried to charge me 100 quetzals, what a cheapskate!<\/p>\n

12.\u00a0<\/em>Burra<\/em> \u2014 Bus<\/h3>\n

You have to know before you go that the chicken buses<\/strong> in Guatemala are the workhorses of the transportation system.<\/p>\n

They’re everywhere, and, very often, have ornately-painted female names above their windshields.<\/p>\n

You’ll often hear them referred to as a\u00a0burra<\/em>, from the word\u00a0burro<\/em>\u00a0(donkey), but this is actually the word for any type of bus.<\/p>\n

Tomo una burra<\/strong> para ir al trabajo.<\/em> \u2014 I take a bus to work.<\/p>\n

13.\u00a0Boquitas<\/em> \u2014 Snacks<\/h3>\n

If you need a quick little snack<\/strong>, this is the word for you.<\/p>\n

You’ll likely see appetizer-like\u00a0boquitas\u00a0<\/em>advertised at restaurants or things like chips and nuts for sale at the small convenience stores.<\/p>\n

Necesito\u00a0ir a la tienda para comprar boquitas<\/strong>.<\/i><\/em> \u2014 I need to go to the store to buy snacks.<\/p>\n

14.\u00a0Canche<\/em> \u2014 Blondie<\/h3>\n

This refers to someone who is blonde<\/strong> and is often used as a term of endearment. In standard Spanish, this would be rubio\/rubia<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Mi mejor amiga es una canche.<\/strong><\/i><\/em> \u2014 Mar\u00eda is Guatemalan.<\/p>\n

15.\u00a0Charnel<\/em> \u2014 Car<\/h3>\n

This is a slang term for a car<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Comprar\u00e9 un nuevo charnel<\/strong> cuando termine la escuela.<\/em> \u2014 I’m going to buy a new car when I finish school.<\/p>\n

16.\u00a0Chivas<\/em> \u2014 Stuff<\/h3>\n

Chivas\u00a0<\/em>means all your things or “stuff<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n

Tengo que recoger mis chivas<\/strong>.<\/em> \u2014 I need to clean up my stuff.<\/p>\n

17.\u00a0Camioneta<\/em> \u2014 Chicken bus<\/h3>\n

While we know that chicken buses<\/strong> are all over Guatemala and they’re often referred to as burras<\/i>, you may also hear them be called\u00a0camionetas.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Esa camioneta<\/strong> es muy bonita.<\/em> \u2014 That chicken bus is really cute.<\/p>\n

18.\u00a0Brocha<\/em> \u2014 Bus attendant<\/h3>\n

Now that you know that chicken buses have multiple names, it’s good to know what the bus attendees<\/strong> are called.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A\u00a0brocha\u00a0<\/em>will collect money, call out the next stops and do anything else that needs to be done on the bus.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Dile a la brocha<\/strong> que necesitas ir a la calle Santander. <\/em> \u2014 Tell the bus attendant that you need to go to Santander Road.<\/p>\n

19.\u00a0Sho<\/em> \u2014 Hey, shut up<\/h3>\n

This doesn’t really have a direct translation but is used in informal situations to tell someone to shut up<\/strong> or grab their attention.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a1Sho!<\/strong> Necesito decirte algo.\u00a0<\/em> \u2014 Hey, shut up, I need to tell you something!<\/p>\n

20.\u00a0Casaca<\/em> \u2014 A lie, something that is easy<\/h3>\n

This one can mean one of two things.\u00a0Casaca\u00a0<\/em>can either be a lie<\/strong> or something that is easy.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

Me dijo una casaca<\/strong> sobre su familia.<\/em> \u2014 She told me a lie about her family.<\/p>\n

S\u00ed, es una casaca<\/strong> hacerlo.<\/em> \u2014 Yes, it’s easy to do it.<\/p>\n

21.\u00a0Peluche<\/em> \u2014 Relax, do nothing<\/h3>\n

If you head to the Guatemalan coast, you’ll probably do a lot of\u00a0peluche.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Peluche\u00a0<\/em>is to relax or do nothing<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Estoy muy cansada\u00a0despu\u00e9s mi vuelo y he estado de peluche<\/strong>.<\/i><\/em> \u2014 I’m very tired after my flight, so I just relaxed.<\/p>\n

22.\u00a0Sanigua<\/em> \u2014 Wow<\/h3>\n

This means “wow!<\/strong>” Use it to express excitement or amazement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a1Gan\u00e9 la loter\u00eda!<\/em> \u2014 I won the lottery!<\/p>\n

\u00a1Sanigua!<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Wow!<\/p>\n

23.\u00a0Patojo<\/em> \u2014 Kid<\/h3>\n

This is a cute little term you’ll probably hear often to refer to a child<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Los\u00a0patojos<\/strong> van a escuela de lunes a viernes.<\/i><\/em> \u2014 The kids go to school Monday through Friday.<\/p>\n

24.\u00a0Pelar<\/em> \u2014 To gossip<\/h3>\n

This literally means “to peel,” but Guatemalans use it to refer to gossiping or talking behind someone’s back<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Deja de pelar<\/strong>, es grosero.<\/em> \u2014 Stop gossiping, it’s rude.<\/p>\n

25.\u00a0Shute<\/em> \u2014 Nosey person<\/h3>\n

This term refers to someone who’s nosey<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

No te lo voy a decir, s<\/strong>hute<\/strong>.<\/i><\/em> \u2014 I’m not going to tell you, nosey.<\/p>\n

26.\u00a0<\/strong>Bochinche<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Chaos, a lie, gossip<\/h3>\n

When someone or some thing (like a thunderstorm) causes chaos or disorder<\/strong> on the street, you can call it a bochinche<\/em>. It can also be used to mean “a lie.<\/strong>“<\/p>\n

Despu\u00e9s del partido, el estadio era un bochinche<\/strong> total con la gente corriendo en todas direcciones.<\/em> \u2014 After the game, the stadium was a complete chaos with people running in all directions.<\/p>\n

27.\u00a0Chinchar<\/em> \u2014 To annoy, to nag<\/h3>\n

You know that person who sits behind you at work and won’t shut up all day? He’s annoying<\/strong> you.<\/p>\n

Si sigues chinchar<\/strong> con tus quejas, nunca terminaremos este proyecto a tiempo.<\/em> \u2014 If you keep nagging with your complaints, we’ll never finish this project on time.<\/p>\n

28.\u00a0<\/strong>Chispudo<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Crafty, quick-witted<\/h3>\n

Your friend who always gets the joke and always has something clever<\/strong> to say<\/strong> is\u00a0chispudo.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a1Ese chico es tan chispudo<\/strong> que siempre encuentra una manera de salirse con la suya!<\/em> \u2014 That kid is so crafty; he always finds a way to get his own way!<\/p>\n

28.\u00a0<\/strong>Chancle<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 Fashionable, elegant; snob<\/h3>\n

Looking smart can make your Guatemalan friends call you a chancle<\/em> (or chancla<\/strong><\/em> for girls) person, which can mean “elegant” or “fashionable,” such as in:<\/p>\n

\u00a1Qu\u00e9 chancle<\/strong> te ves!<\/em> \u2014 You look so elegant!<\/p>\n

However, this word can also be used to describe snobbish people in a not-so-kind way, so make sure to practice this word in the right context:<\/p>\n

Ese chancle<\/strong> es muy codo.<\/em> \u2014 That snob is so stingy.<\/p>\n

29.\u00a0Pedorro<\/strong><\/em> \u2014 Smug person<\/h3>\n

No one can stand a smug person<\/strong>, right? So it’s good that Guatemalan has a word to make fun of them:\u00a0pedorro.<\/em><\/p>\n

El nuevo gerente es un pedorro<\/strong>, siempre presumiendo de sus logros y menospreciando el trabajo de los dem\u00e1s.<\/em> \u2014 The new manager is so smug, always boasting about his achievements and belittling the work of others.<\/p>\n

30. Caites<\/em> \u2014 Sandals<\/h3>\n

Often worn by indigenous peoples in Guatemala,\u00a0caite<\/em> can be used for any kind of casual sandal<\/strong> now.<\/p>\n

El turista caminaba por las calles empedradas con sus caites<\/strong>, disfrutando del c\u00e1lido sol del verano.\u00a0<\/em> \u2014 The tourist walked along the cobblestone streets in his sandals, enjoying the warm summer sun.<\/p>\n

Why Learn Guatemalan Slang?<\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

There’s more to speaking a language than what comes in the typical textbook. Knowing a language’s slang will bring you a whole new level of<\/strong> understanding<\/strong> and ability to connect with the natives.<\/p>\n

Slang differs even by region<\/strong>, so it’s good to know what things only Guatemalans say that even Spanish speakers from other regions may not catch onto.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Knowing Guatemalan slang will also make your experience abroad much more authentic.\u00a0You’ll be able to communicate as the natives will<\/strong>, strengthening those relationships.<\/p>\n

If you want to get some practice with Guatemalan slang, I recommend trying to get as much exposure to native speakers as possible! Even if you can’t converse with a Guatemalan, you can use a program like FluentU<\/a> to immerse yourself from home.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \"FluentU\r\n

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