Expression Meaning/Context
- De ley: Used as an affirmation; of course.
- Bacán, Chévere: Cool.
- Fresco: 1. Take it easy.2: Sure.
- Full: A lot, a bunch.
- Tímbrame: Give me a call, ring me.
- Chela / BIELA: Beer.
- Fondo: Bottoms up.
- Chupar: To drink liquor.
- Muchar: To kiss someone or make out.
- Hacer vaca: To gather money.
- Perro: A player.
- Tostado/a: A person who is high.
- Aniñado: A person who is plastic, rich or even stuck up.
- Rico/a: Someone who is considered hot or sexy.
- De una: Right away, let’s do it immediately.
- Patán: Pervert
- Caída: Last minutes get together at a house, usually for someone’s birthday or going away party.
- Poner los cachos: To cheat on your partner.
- Chuta: Damn.
- Cargoso/a: A person who is heavy handed, bothersome, and passes the limits.
- Acolitar: 1. to accompany someone. 2. To help someone out.
- Vacilar: To make out with someone.
- Pana: Buddy, dude.
- Aguanta: Hold on, wait.
- Dame chance: 1. let me do something. 2. Give me space so I can move.
- No hay chance: No way.
- Una bestia: Really cool.
- Ni fregando: No way in hell.
- Estoy happy: I’m tipsy, I’m buzzed.
- Chillón/ona-lloron/a: Cry baby.
- ¡Mmm…Qué rico! When eating something you like (say it often—they’ll appreciate it!)
- Ahí no más, muchas gracias: When you are being offered more food (but when you already have enough on your plate)
- ¿Cómo amaneciste? How are you feeling? (Literally, “How did you wake up?”)
- ¿Estás enseñado/a ….? Are you used to…..?
- ¿Estás con pena? Are you sad, homesick?
- Naño / naña Brother / sister (from Quichua, but very common)
- Mija / mijita, contraction of “mi hija” Not always used literally—often a term of affection.
- Guagua: Baby, small child (Quichua)
- ¡Atatai! Said when something disgusts you (Quichua)
- ¡Arrarrai! Said when you burn yourself (Quichua)
- Pelado / Pelada: A term that refers to someone you are dating casually (not a serious relationship).
- Chancho: Pig / pork
- ¡Qué asco! Yuck! Disgusting!
- “Simón” Yes, affirmative!
- “La bola” A lot
- Estar “chuchaqui” To be hung over (Quichua)
- Chao Bye
- ¿Qué fue? What’s up?
And what NOT to say...Be careful! - Here are some common mistakes made by English speakers
- If you want to say “I’m embarrassed”, do NOT say “Estoy embarazada” (meaning “I’m pregnant!”)
- If you want to say “I’m excited”, do NOT say “Estoy exitado/a”, you have to say “Estoy emocionado/a”.
Courtesy of USFQ - Quito
- De ley: Used as an affirmation; of course.
- Bacán, Chévere: Cool.
- Fresco: 1. Take it easy.2: Sure.
- Full: A lot, a bunch.
- Tímbrame: Give me a call, ring me.
- Chela / BIELA: Beer.
- Fondo: Bottoms up.
- Chupar: To drink liquor.
- Muchar: To kiss someone or make out.
- Hacer vaca: To gather money.
- Perro: A player.
- Tostado/a: A person who is high.
- Aniñado: A person who is plastic, rich or even stuck up.
- Rico/a: Someone who is considered hot or sexy.
- De una: Right away, let’s do it immediately.
- Patán: Pervert
- Caída: Last minutes get together at a house, usually for someone’s birthday or going away party.
- Poner los cachos: To cheat on your partner.
- Chuta: Damn.
- Cargoso/a: A person who is heavy handed, bothersome, and passes the limits.
- Acolitar: 1. to accompany someone. 2. To help someone out.
- Vacilar: To make out with someone.
- Pana: Buddy, dude.
- Aguanta: Hold on, wait.
- Dame chance: 1. let me do something. 2. Give me space so I can move.
- No hay chance: No way.
- Una bestia: Really cool.
- Ni fregando: No way in hell.
- Estoy happy: I’m tipsy, I’m buzzed.
- Chillón/ona-lloron/a: Cry baby.
- ¡Mmm…Qué rico! When eating something you like (say it often—they’ll appreciate it!)
- Ahí no más, muchas gracias: When you are being offered more food (but when you already have enough on your plate)
- ¿Cómo amaneciste? How are you feeling? (Literally, “How did you wake up?”)
- ¿Estás enseñado/a ….? Are you used to…..?
- ¿Estás con pena? Are you sad, homesick?
- Naño / naña Brother / sister (from Quichua, but very common)
- Mija / mijita, contraction of “mi hija” Not always used literally—often a term of affection.
- Guagua: Baby, small child (Quichua)
- ¡Atatai! Said when something disgusts you (Quichua)
- ¡Arrarrai! Said when you burn yourself (Quichua)
- Pelado / Pelada: A term that refers to someone you are dating casually (not a serious relationship).
- Chancho: Pig / pork
- ¡Qué asco! Yuck! Disgusting!
- “Simón” Yes, affirmative!
- “La bola” A lot
- Estar “chuchaqui” To be hung over (Quichua)
- Chao Bye
- ¿Qué fue? What’s up?
And what NOT to say...Be careful! - Here are some common mistakes made by English speakers
- If you want to say “I’m embarrassed”, do NOT say “Estoy embarazada” (meaning “I’m pregnant!”)
- If you want to say “I’m excited”, do NOT say “Estoy exitado/a”, you have to say “Estoy emocionado/a”.
Courtesy of USFQ - Quito
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