This is a harsh phrase … Use la boricua when referring to a female of Puerto Rican descent. And which ones did you already know? Apparently, broki is an old school slang word, but I thought I’d still include it here. Pay attention to this one. Guineo–used in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic for different types of bananas. Think Cher and Dion from the movie “Clueless”. Its literal meaning is plug or stopper. To do all that and more, you’ll need some Puerto Rican Spanish in your language arsenal to help you navigate. Comes from a French expression. Puerto Ricans use this word to express disgust. Puerto Rican Spanish is a variety or dialect of Spanish with its own unique differences in grammar, pronunciation, phrases, and slang. Explores the Spanish language spoken in the Caribbean islands of Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and includes sample words and phrases with audio and infographic. The better you understand what you hear, the better you can communicate an appropriate response. But before you go frolicking off to Puerto Rico, you’ll need more than flip flops and sunscreen. You must be day dreaming of the sun, sand and surf by now. I’m talking about slang words and phrases that will help you fit right in with native speakers. If you stumble on one of the beautiful cobblestone streets, ¡Coño! Given the 4000 miles between this Atlantic island and Spain there are unsurprisingly major differences between the two languages, and indeed from one country to the next when it comes to accent, slang and dialectal quirks, It can also apply to almost any venture where someone doesn’t profit. “The pineapple is sour”—one of my favorite phrases because it’s just so totally boricua. Looks like the English word revolt. Or as you hear conversations between native speakers. Learning English becomes fun and easy when you learn with movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talks. Interested in exploring El Morro and eating your fill of tostones (fried plantains that are incredibly delicious)? Everyone else does! If you’re looking for a method to familiarize yourself with Spanish as well as deepen your knowledge of the culture, FluentU is the best way to go! Let me know in the comments below! It’s a huge leap from una verdura (a vegetable) to bad behavior, but that’s the gist of it. When we visit Puerto Rico I often remind my son, “Don’t forget to say bendición to Abuela.” Right after that precious word that I hold dear to my heart, I hear the words “Dios te bendiga…” However, note that sometimes shopkeepers will “adopt” buyers with this little compliment to sell merchandise. This expression is widespread in Spanish-speaking countries globally, and is used quite freely in Puerto Rico, too. The Spanish spoken in Puerto Rico shares linguistic features with other West Indian islands and the continental Caribbean, but it has its own characteristics. i shit in your mothers … So it makes sense that this word is used to describe someone who is what we, in American slang, call “shady”. From standard Spanish acicalado bembé a big party. Traveling is one of the most effective and rewarding ways to improve language skills, add some Puerto Rican flavor to your Spanish, melded with those of the native Taíno people, El Yunque, a 29,000-acre tropical rainforest, 3 Great Programs to Volunteer in South America and Learn Spanish, Tricks to Tackle the Top 10 Hardest Spanish Words to Pronounce, Learn Spanish Grammar and Vocabulary with These 12 Catchy Songs, 19 Superb Sites for Spanish Listening Practice to Amp Up Your Skills, 12 of the Best Websites to Learn Spanish for Absolute Mastery, 8 Intermediate Online Courses to Lift Your Spanish to New Heights. If you’re an attractive female who catches some guy’s eye, don’t be surprised to hear “Mira, Mami… ¿Quieres bailar?” (“Hey, Mami… want to dance?”). Argentinians use this slang word to refer to a woman who is of…ahem…low moral character. Probably already packed and mentally checked out from work, right? And if you think that’s his way of saying you could be generous with the tip, you’re right! Sample local cuisine—think chayote (a mild summer squash), plantains and mofongo. Okay, actually you replace “poop” with the curse word that means “poop”. How to use Boricua in a sentence. (How can I help you? It is used a lot! Hold up a pretty scarf and ask “¿Cuánto cuesta este?” (“How much does this cost?”) The reply could very well be “Mija, para ti, es muy barato.” (“Mija, for you, it’s very cheap.”), This is a phrase you don’t want to hear too often! Well, if you inquire about the tourist trade or even life in general, you may hear a sigh, then a muttered, “La piña está agria…”. Usually accompanied with the stank face. You’ll hear both, so just know it’s slang for a young boy. This is a slang expression for cash. Think “hottie”, “fine”, and “dime” in English slang. In a cab, headed from your hotel to El Morro? Ni Pa. "Ni pa" is a slang way of saying "no way," but is likely a cut-down version of "ni para … applies here, too. To go to the country—to see the island beyond San Juan. Mucama–used for maid or servant in Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil. Now that we’ve got that covered, let’s get started. These 10 sayings are common in Puerto Rican Spanish but are too strong to be taught in school. Generally, nouns ending in -o are considered masculine and nouns ending in -a are considered feminine. Boricua is derived from the original name of the island. And neglecting it can affect your proficiency in speaking the language. Hold up—it’s really not that complicated. This expression is widely used by shopkeepers, waitresses and even hotel clerks to indicate business could be better. Fitting in is much more doable when you’re able to small talk with people, so let’s get to the essentials. ¡A fuego! It’s often paired with Mami—which in this case doesn’t mean mother. Undress, take one's clothes off. Hanguear means to hang out or go out with friends. At times, Puerto Ricans may add an “a” or “o” to the end of an English word instead of using the proper Spanish word. Puerto Rican Slang That I Like Bochinche. If you are a... ¡Ay Bendito!. But boricua is what Puerto Ricans call Puerto Ricans born in Puerto Rico. (That guy? Want to learn authentic Spanish as it’s actually used by native Spanish speakers? Translate Puerto rican translation. It’s also an expression that bridges thoughts, sort of like a stalling tactic. Also means exactly what it sounds like. ataque de nervios a sudden nervous reaction, similar to hysterics, or losing control, experienced in response to something ¡Bendito! Puerto Ricans are friendly and hospitable so it’s not unheard of for a casual acquaintance to bestow this implied closeness. In the same way that Americans say “... Tapón. Certainly there are more than 27 Puerto Rican slang words and phrases, so which ones did I miss? For a leisurely afternoon among the locals, go browsing in the tiendas (shops). It’s not exclusive to Puerto Ricans, but Puerto Ricans use it often. This may be the funniest translation on the street, although it’s a bit of … Sure you could learn the text book stuff, and don’t get me wrong, that’s really important. asicalao flawless, clean, immaculate. Congratulations! This article is a summary of common slang words and phrases used in Puerto Rico.Puerto Rican Spanish differs significantly from other dialects of Spanish for various reasons. It’s also slang for a disaster, mess, chaos, clutter, or something or somewhere that is not tidy. I love learning new things from our Spanguist tribe. Puerto Rican Spanish. This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you There are also some American words that have been adopted into Puerto Rican slang. I’m talking about real world everyday Spanish that native speakers actually use. Yeah!" Did a loudmouth cut the line at a popular dance club? Ya know…rhymes with oar, begins with “wh”. Thanks for subscribing! The Boricuas first inhabited the island many, many years ago long before the Spanish came and conquered. The word derives from the indigenous name for the island of Puerto Rico: Boriken or Boriquín. This word literally means “look,” but is used to say “hey” if you want to get someone’s attention. Which means there is likely to be a certain amount of English language influence. You’ll hear it everywhere, so it’s best to know what it means! Sound a tad confusing? If you’re going to grab some tostones (fried plantains) and cerveza (beer), put some chavos in your pocket. Puerto Ricans use this slang word to refer to someone who is nicely dressed or dressed up. Chatting with the driver, laying down Spanish like a boss as he negotiates the narrow streets? Ese hombre? variants are ¡Ay bendito! Nebuloso is Spanish for cloudy. You’ll also hear chévere in Colombia, Venezuela and Perú. Marimba–a cognate that refers to a beating in the southern cone of South America. Consequently, many American English words are now found in the vocabulary of Puerto Rican Spanish. by The Spanguist | Oct 14, 2019 | Culture, Grammar. You probably learned chisme in Spanish class, but Puerto Ricans refer to gossip as bochiche. Who knows? However, it’s actually a way of indicating relationship status among acquaintances. This word comes from gufeado, which is a tense of the verb gufear. bich… Either masculine or feminine. I just like the way it sounds. You probably learned chisme in Spanish class, but Puerto Ricans refer to gossip as bochiche. Expect “Chacho” as the reply is mulled over. The stuff you probably won’t learn in a classroom. stupid (asshole) (79%) (21%) me cago en tu madre. Puerto Rican Spanish can be romantic, soft and lilting, with nuances that deepen meanings beyond the ordinary. The word “pescado,” for example, is pronounced “peh-ca’o” (recall the letter “d” is also silent). Not familiar with mofongo? When saying, "Wepa!," you must hold the "e" for the longest amount of time, and "a" for just as long. Puerto Ricans love to ask for La bendición (asking for the blessing) is usually the first and the last word you say when you approach or leave your parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles. For foreigners this will be confusing to the point that I consider them “false friends”. Click here to get a copy. Undoubtedly, Puerto Rico’s history is a determining factor of the Spanish spoken there today. So if someone refers to you as mijo or mija, feel complimented. Firstly, slang is an important part of any language. LEARN AUTHENTIC PUERTO RICAN SPANISH. When there’s an altercation brewing, locals say “¡No me molestes!” which means “Don’t make me angry!”. So all I’m sayin’ is, be careful where you are, when you use this one! The word simply means “Puerto Rican” and is more widely used than puertorriqueño, which has the same meaning. And is used in the same way as broki. But although gufiao comes from gufear, it doesn’t mean to goof off or fool around. Just be careful when using this word outside Puerto Rico, as it has a much more vulgar meaning in other Spanish-speaking countries! It would be to your benefit to learn a little Spanish before you go. And is Puerto Rican slang for to joke around, to fool around or to be goofy. Another common characteristic of Puerto Rican Spanish is aspirating or omitting the letter “s” in spoken language. He’s on fire! Which is your favorite? This is a very common Puerto Rican slang phrase. Well, unless you’re trying to offend them! Spanglish may also be known by different regional names. You gotta love this Puerto Rican slang term, as it’s used to express all kind of … This word actually comes from the colonial old Spanish—ochavo—a contraction that means “one eighth.” It’s a reference to the “pieces of eight” carried by the Spanish settlers. The Puerto Rican Accent. If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to learn Spanish with real-world videos. In addition, many English words have found their way into the daily language and music produced by Puerto Rican artists. Think fresh to death…okay that’s kinda old school. Mami is used as an all-purpose way of getting a woman’s attention. Acho or Chacho is short for muchacho, the Spanish word for “boy”. Download: In Spanish class, you will learn that gato means cat. But I want to introduce you to the fun stuff! Brutal = dope, poppin’ and lit in American slang. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe, Get regular language learning tips, resources and updates, starting with the "Complete Guide to Foreign Language Immersion" e-book, Sign up for our weekly blog newsletter for a chance to win a free FluentU Plus subscription (value $240). This just means “cool,” so if you like something, Está nítido (It’s cool) works fine. This phrase literally means “eat poop”. Well, there are lots of great reasons to learn slang. Currently Puerto Rico is nearly unique in having both English and Spanish as its official languages (see also New Mexico). Expect to hear a chorus of ¡Se lució el chayote! I suppose there are worse things to be than a garden squash but in Puerto Rico, this is a mild insult. al garete Wild, off the rails, disastrous. It normally is yelled at high volumes in a nasal manner, especially after something that is celebrated. It is used a lot! Just as in other cultures, relationships are highly valuable to Puerto Ricans. Bregar. The term I learned in Spanish class for Puerto Rican is puertorriqueño. FluentU brings English to life with real-world videos. And this slang word is used to refer to a friend who is as close as a brother. Se lució el chayote! Remember last week’s post on Mexican slang, it’s akin to the Mexican slang word fresa. In short, this enchanted island doesn’t speak Spanish the way the rest of the globe does. Despite its very similar appearance to the English word “brutal”, this slang word means anything but “savagely violent”. Boricua is the local name for a Puerto Rican. It can be used in the same way kid is used in English. This phrase literally means “on fire,” but everyone—from toddlers to the elderly—uses the expression to say something is really pleasing or that someone is very attractive. If referring to a girl you’ll see chacha, as muchacha is one of many Spanish words for girl. Maybe that’s why a mom might also refer to her kids as a corillo. Hola mi gente! This is among many Puerto Rican slang words used to refer to a friend. After Spaniards colonized the island, Spanish words and phrases melded with those of the native Taíno people already living there. As with anything, there are always exceptions to the rule. I will be your personal and professional Spanish linguist. Are the warm winds and sandy beaches of Puerto Rico calling you? The word is derived from the name the native Taínos called the island—Borinquén. All Rights Reserved. "Wepa" normally means, "All right! Parquear means to park a car. ¡No te preocupes! The words and phrases below are part of typical conversations on this enchanted island. If you are not familiar with that term, it just means someone who is not of great moral character, deceitful and deceptive. See Spanish-English translations with audio pronunciations, examples, and word-by-word explanations. And it can be used to refer to babies and toddlers as well. Maldita sea la madre que te parió! It could be your warning to clear out of the area! It’s a Puerto Rican way to say “times are tough.”. A word of jubilation that is uttered by mainly Hispanics, especially within the Puerto Rican community. Maybe you’ll use it a few times, too. This is a very useful addition to your Spanish vocabulary if you plan to go exploring the quaint towns and beautiful playas (beaches) outside the city limits. It’s slang for brother, but mano is also slang for friend. When the waitress reports the kitchen is out of mofongo? In the same way we use “baby”, “babe”, “honey” and “sweetie” to refer to a significant other. The word “pescado,” for example, is pronounced “peh-ca’o” (recall the letter “d” is also silent). There are 323 million native Spanish speakers, 4 million of whom are from the tropical isle of Puerto Rico. But in Puerto Rico, gato refers to a good-looking man, while gata refers to a good-looking woman. Secondly, learning Spanish slang will help you more effectively understand what you hear when conversing with native speakers. Although the Spanish slang words from Puerto Rico bicho, bicha, bichería and bichote seem to have the same “root” they don’t mean the same. Oh, you’re in for a treat when you sample the fried, mashed green plantain dish that’s a must-have for visitors. These are slangy contractions for mi hijo or mi hija (my son or my daughter). And it’s often used when you smell something that stinks or see something that looks gross or disgusting. is the expression to use. So unless you are truly talking about a cat, be careful where and how you use this one to prevent foot in mouth syndrome! But if you are Puerto Rican, then this phrase refers to someone who is a snob or stuck up. 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Out with friends, news and inspiring talks, gato refers to a good-looking woman sure you. The pineapple is sour ” —one of my favorite Puerto Rican slang for a Puerto Rican words... Brother, but mano is also slang for a Puerto Rican slang for brother, but Puerto Ricans friendly... Streets, ¡Coño person who is from or lives in the same way as broki %. To her kids as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere your and! Or really good island many, many years ago long before the Spanish came and conquered as bochiche spoken today... Especially after something that is uttered by mainly Hispanics, especially within the Puerto Rican slang words and,. Be prepared to hear some Spanish that native speakers without it d still it. Southern cone of South America experience all its own, the better you can an... Dressed or dressed up but “ savagely violent ” express everything from surprise, to fear and astonishment let s... Chorus of ¡Se lució El chayote casinos in San Juan a determining factor of the island ’ s a... Goof off or fool around it could be better million of whom are from the indigenous name the... Sell merchandise, you would say boricua Rican ” and is used to refer to gossip as.! To gossip as bochiche something tells me that you can take anywhere have negative.! Markedly improve your communication with native speakers actually use you might also see spelled., right for me to include some of the Spanish came and conquered in your language arsenal to you... If referring to a male, you ’ ve got that covered, let ’ s slang...