Words and definitions Johanabra30 has contributed to the street dictionary.
A slushie or frappe style drink made in a blender with plenty of ice and fruit or liquor. (In Venezuela, these are common refreshing treats sold at street stalls and cafes.)
Please, I'd like a blackberry Granizado. / I loved the coffee Granizado, or frappuccino.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe someone who looks hot, sexy, or has a great figure and is sexually desirable. It also refers to someone who is horny or hinting that they are in the mood for sex at that moment.
Babe, you are just straight up cachonda. / Girl, you are just feeling cachonda tonight.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe something or some situation as cool, great, or excellent: it is a synonym for the common term chévere.
That shirt is so bacana. / The concert was bacano.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A derogatory slang term used to refer to police officers in Venezuela.
That cerdo is going to pay for this. / Damned cerdo, stop shooting already.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A slang term for police officers and military personnel. It is also used as a synonym for the government or authority figures perceived as untrustworthy (the term brujas, or witches, is a common Venezuelan slang equivalent used for police or snitches).
Run dude, the tombos are coming. What a pain with the tombos, they are right there.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A Venezuelan slang term for police officers and military personnel (likely referring to the brown or olive-green color of their uniforms). While usage varies by region, it is synonymous with other slang for authority figures such as brujas, gobierno, or tíos.
These shitty tamarindos won't stop shaking people down. / The tamarindos are patrolling the plaza.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A slang term for police officers, referring to the blue color of their uniforms (historically associated with the Metropolitan Police).
El agua is posted up on the corner. / We have to bail because el agua just arrived.
Automatically translated from Spanish
This is a slang term for a police officer in Venezuela, often used for undercover cops or those acting as informants.
That guy over there is a sapo, watch what you say. / Watch out for that sapo, he is not in uniform, but I have seen him before.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A slang term for the police (in Venezuela, law enforcement is commonly referred to as el gobierno, meaning the government).
Here come the Brujas, stay alert. Heads up with the Brujas because they don't let anyone slide. The government is on the corner, let's not go that way.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A derogatory nickname used in Venezuela for police officers who wear blue uniforms, implying they are inferior or incompetent (the word literally means Smurfs).
Those pitufos are such idiots. / Those pitufos are trash, look at what they are doing.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A derogatory term used to refer to the police in Venezuela. It is synonymous with other local slang terms like brujas (witches), gobierno (the government), or tíos (uncles).
Watch out, the bastardos cleared out but we have to stay alert. / The bastardos fired birdshot.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Slang for the police. It is synonymous with brujas (witches), a term for cops or snitches. Specific nicknames for the police vary by region.
Hide, dude, here come the Tíos. / The Tíos are scammers, do not let them screw you over.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Slang term for the police, equivalent to the boys in blue or the fuzz. It is often used interchangeably with other derogatory terms for law enforcement like brujas or government (refers to the blue color of the police uniform in Venezuela).
We have to fuck with the Azules who are fucking with our homies. / Dude, the Azules are here, hide.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A term used by older people to describe a chaotic, unbearable mess or a state of total disorder.
When are you going to clean up the espaviento in your room?
Automatically translated from Spanish
In Venezuela, BIZCOCHO refers to slices of sweet bread toasted until they are very crunchy, similar to a rusk. They are common snacks found in bakeries and small grocery stores (abastos).
Buy me a pack of BIZCOCHO.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Aliado refers to traditional sweets from the Venezuelan Andes. Made from gelatin, panela (unrefined cane sugar), and milk, they are cylindrical and have a white appearance because they are dusted with cornstarch.
Let's go eat aliados at the sweet shop.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Thin, crispy, slightly salty fried dough snacks, usually triangular or square, that are sprinkled with sugar. (In many Venezuelan towns, it is traditional for women to sell these freshly made from their front doors).
Pull over for a second so we can buy some torrejas.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A dessert made from a flat sponge cake rolled into a spiral and filled with pastry cream or chocolate. Bakeries often sell it by the slice (the name literally translates to Gypsy arm and is the regional name for a Swiss roll).
Give me a chocolate Brazo Gitano.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Very crumbly cookies that fall apart with every bite, made from wheat flour and vegetable shortening. They are a staple in local bakeries (the name refers to polvo or dust, describing their texture).
Buy me 100 grams of polvorosas at the bakery.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A fried dough pastry made from wheat flour, shaped into long sticks and sprinkled with sugar.
Let's go eat some churros.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Pabellón criollo is a traditional Venezuelan dish consisting of shredded beef, white rice, black beans (caraotas), fried sweet plantain slices (tajadas), and a fried egg in equal portions. (It is considered the national dish of Venezuela).
Serve me a Pabellón criollo and a cold beer.
Automatically translated from Spanish
An Andean version of the Venezuelan arepa made with wheat flour, eggs, and unrefined cane sugar. It is typically served with cheese and butter (This version is native to the Venezuelan Andes, whereas standard arepas are made from corn flour).
Make me some arepitas de trigo.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Describes someone who is beefy, jacked, or has significant muscle mass (the term comes from the practice of fattening livestock with corn; the exclamation na guara in the example is specific to the Venezuelan state of Lara).
Damn dude, you are really maiciao.
Automatically translated from Spanish
In several western Venezuelan states, different dishes share the same name. Unlike the version from Trujillo, the mojito andino is a savory dish prepared with seasoned milk, eggs, tomato, onion, and butter. It is usually served with wheat arepas and curd cheese (this is a traditional breakfast from the Venezuelan Andes region).
Give me a mojito andino with wheat arepas.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A traditional dish from the Venezuelan state of Trujillo, prepared with eggs, vegetables, and milk. It is distinct from other dishes of the same name because it does not include fish or meat. (Trujillo is an Andean region in western Venezuela.)
For breakfast we have arepa and mojito trujillano.
Automatically translated from Spanish
To feed someone corn-based products and grains to make them gain weight or bulk up (derived from the practice of fattening up poultry and livestock with corn).
Poor thing, my boy is so skinny, stay here for a week so I can maiciar you.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A very moist, soft cheese made from milk curds. It is a staple food in the Venezuelan Andes (Tachira, Merida, and Trujillo) and is typically served with pizca andina (a traditional potato and milk soup).
Sell me a quarter kilo of cuajada.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A creamy dessert made with sweet potatoes, coconut, and cinnamon, served chilled (this is a traditional Venezuelan sweet).
I am going to let you try a Juan Sabroso I made yesterday.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A mixture of leftover scraps from various days, usually referring to the food collected and mashed together by people living on the streets.
Give me a little bread to throw into the zambumbia.
Automatically translated from Spanish
In Venezuelan cuisine, Besitos are small, soft, sweet cookies made from wheat flour and a primary flavoring ingredient. The specific name is determined by that ingredient, such as coconut or cocoa. (The name literally means little kisses, and they are a traditional snack commonly found at street stalls and bakeries.)
Give me three coconut Besitos.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A dessert consisting of small fried dough balls made from various starches like cassava, wheat, or potato, which are left to soak in a sweet syrup or honey. (In Venezuela, they are frequently made with mashed yuca and served in a spiced syrup).
Do you want to try some yuca buñuelos?
Automatically translated from Spanish
A thick, starchy beverage popular across Latin America, prepared with ingredients like corn, rice, plantains, or squash. In the Venezuelan state of Mérida, a town hosts a festival called The Night of Atoles featuring over 200 different versions. (This drink is a traditional comfort food in the Andean region).
Let's make some atol de mazamorra.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A thick, nutritious drink made with fresh corn, milk, and coconut. It is traditionally used to help malnourished people recover muscle mass. (Jojoto is the Venezuelan term for fresh corn).
Drink this mazamorra so you gain some weight.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A fruit milkshake or smoothie prepared with milk. These are usually made with non-acidic fruits to prevent the milk from curdling.
Do you want a banana Merengada? (cambur is the local term for banana)
Automatically translated from Spanish
Corn dough rolls wrapped in banana leaves and boiled. They are typically made from the leftover fillings of hallacas (a traditional Venezuelan Christmas dish similar to a tamale), which are mixed directly into the corn flour dough.
Give me another carabina, please.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A fried cylinder made of wheat flour dough and stuffed with white cheese. It is the most essential finger food at any party (where snacks are called pasapalos), known for its crunchy exterior and soft, melted cheese interior.
They served the tequeños!
Automatically translated from Spanish
A type of very soft and fluffy sponge cake made with wheat flour, eggs, and miche (a strong Andean liquor). It is usually served during paraduras (a traditional Andean celebration held from December to February to honor the Christ Child) along with sweet red wine.
Don't you have a little bit of Bizcochuelo left?
Automatically translated from Spanish
A dark cocoa and nut cake served as a traditional Venezuelan Christmas dessert. The recipe typically involves macerating dried fruits in rum or brandy for months before baking.
That Torta Negra you made came out divine.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Pan de jamón is a traditional savory bread roll filled with ham, olives, raisins, and sometimes bacon or cheese, prepared specifically for the Christmas holidays (it is an essential staple of the Venezuelan Christmas dinner).
Don't pick the olives out of the Pan de Jamón.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A small fried pastry filled with various ingredients such as meat, chicken, cheese, ham, egg, or black beans (caraotas). Usually eaten for breakfast and available at food stalls in the morning, they are a smaller alternative to arepas or empanadas. Like tequeños, they are also served as appetizers (pasapalos) at parties.
Give me three meat pastelitos and a malta.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Also known as "Sones de negros", it is a suite of traditional dances from Lara state in Venezuela. It consists of seven distinct pieces, each with its own theme, costume, and choreography representing life events like courtship, fighting, or religious devotion (it is traditionally performed to celebrate the feast day of Saint Anthony of Padua).
Let's go watch the tamunangue.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A sweet snack bar made from peanuts, sesame seeds, almonds, or coconut bound together with unrefined cane sugar syrup or white sugar (papelón is unrefined cane sugar usually sold in blocks).
How much is the peanut turrón?
Automatically translated from Spanish
A hardwood club or staff used as a weapon in rural areas, usually featuring a woven grip. It is central to Venezuelan folk dances like the tamunangue (a traditional dance from Lara state featuring ritualistic stick fighting).
The grandfathers started a fight with garrotes.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A rectangular block of firm fruit paste made from fruit pulp and sugar, denser and more solid than jam. (This traditional sweet is most frequently associated with guava).
I bought a guava bocadillo
Automatically translated from Spanish
A traditional sweet from the Andean region made from beef bone cartilage gelatin cooked with unrefined cane sugar (papelón and panela are local terms for raw cane sugar blocks). It has a cylindrical shape and a very soft texture that melts in the mouth without chewing.
Bring me some templones from the main market.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A thin, circular cake made from a flour and egg batter, usually sweet and served with cheese and butter or jam. The name is a phonetic adaptation of the English word pancake, which the source links to French crepes (in Venezuela, they are often thinner than American pancakes and are commonly eaten with salty white cheese).
What is for breakfast? Panquecas <3
Automatically translated from Spanish
Scrambled eggs usually seasoned with tomato, onion, and bell pepper. It is the classic filling for a breakfast arepa (a staple cornmeal cake in Venezuela), though it can also be eaten with bread.
What did your mom make you today, the same as always, an arepa with perico?
Automatically translated from Spanish
The cashew tree, its fruit, and its nut. Found throughout Venezuela, the fleshy fruit is often dried or preserved as a sweet, while the nut is roasted, pressed for oil, or ground into a paste similar to marzipan. (In Venezuela, both the fruit and the nut are widely consumed, unlike in many regions where only the nut is known).
Let us go eat some merey sweets.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Esta página también está en español.
Leer en español
Venezuela