arrechera
A state of intense sexual arousal or horniness. It describes being very turned on and wanting to have sex.
Holy crap! That dance they did gave me a massive arrechera.
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Definitions by Mono Guayaco
Words and definitions Mono Guayaco has contributed to the street dictionary.
EcuadorDestrampar
To make out passionately or French kiss. This slang is very common among Ecuadorian youth to describe intense, tongue-heavy kissing.
Yesterday I saw your cousin destrampándose with his girlfriend in the back of the bus.
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puchi
An exclamation used in Ecuador to express an immediate feeling of nausea or repulsion. It is mainly used when encountering something extremely dirty, smelly, or visually disgusting.
Puchi, get that rag off the table, it smells totally musty!
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Concha
Refers to a cynical attitude and a total lack of shame when acting in an opportunistic way. It is the sheer nerve or boldness to ask for favors or dodge responsibilities without feeling any remorse.
You have so much concha, coming to ask me for more money when you still owe me for last month!
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Prieto
A slang term used for a dark-skinned or Black person. It is a common way to describe someone by their complexion in everyday Ecuadorian speech. (In many Latin American cultures, referring to people by physical traits like skin color is a common way to identify or nickname them and is not always intended as an insult, though it depends heavily on context.)
That prieto kid playing forward is the best goal scorer the team has had in years.
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Cachaza
The absolute nerve or shamelessness shown by someone who should be embarrassed but instead acts with bold audacity. It describes the cheekiness of someone who just does not care how their behavior looks to others.
Seriously, the cachaza on this guy: he has owed me money for months and today he asks me to buy him a beer!
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TURRO
Adjective used to describe situations, objects, or events that are boring, of poor quality, or lack any charm. It is also used to label a disappointing or unfortunate occurrence.
How turro that the concert was canceled at the last minute when we already had the tickets bought.
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se le moja la canoa
A popular Ecuadorian expression used to insinuate or assert that a man is gay. It is commonly used in informal conversations to mock someone who, according to the speaker, is revealing his true sexual orientation. (The literal meaning is his canoe is getting wet).
Stop acting like that in front of your friends, or they will think that se te está mojando la canoa.
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pepa
Used to describe muscle mass or physical strength. It is commonly applied to someone who is ripped or has well-defined, prominent muscles.
That guy has a huge pepa in his legs from playing soccer every weekend.
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GUINEO
The standard name for a banana in Ecuador. It refers to the long, yellow fruit eaten ripe for its sweet taste.
Remember to buy a hand of GUINEO at the market to make the afternoon smoothie.
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milico
A slang term for a soldier or a member of the armed forces. While used frequently in daily conversation, it carries an informal or sometimes derogatory tone depending on the political climate.
Yesterday, several trucks full of milicos passed by, heading straight to the border because of the emergency.
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pendejo
Refers to a person who lacks street smarts and lets others take advantage of their naivety or slowness. It is an individual who fails to react to situations and becomes a target for being cheated because they lack cleverness (the local cultural value of viveza involves being sharp and opportunistic).
Wake up and do not be such a pendejo! That guy charged you double for the taxi ride and you paid him without saying a word.
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Ventana
Ecuadorian slang for a twenty-dollar bill. Originally used for the country's former currency, the sucre, the term remained in use after the US dollar was adopted (Ecuador officially dollarized its economy in 2000).
Remember you owe me a Ventana since the party last Saturday.
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compadre
In Ecuadorian slang, this is a euphemism for the Devil. It is often capitalized to avoid saying his name directly and attracting bad luck (literally "godfather" or "friend").
They say in town that man became rich overnight because he sold his soul to the Compadre.
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Jumo
Refers to a person in a state of heavy intoxication. It describes someone who is completely wasted or hammered.
It is barely ten and your cousin is already totally jumo, you better take the bottle away and take him home.
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Metiche
A busybody or meddler who inserts themselves into conversations or situations without an invitation. This is the type of person who is always trying to stay informed about gossip or problems that do not involve them.
Stop eavesdropping behind the door, do not be such a metiche and respect other people's privacy.
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Bolsa
A vulgar and very common term in everyday Ecuadorian speech referring to the scrotum or the testicles. It is used to denote the male genital area.
The player had to leave the field because he took a hit from the ball right in the Bolsa.
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pichar
An Ecuadorian slang term used for having sex. It is a direct, vulgar way to refer to the act of intercourse.
Hey, stop talking so much and just tell me when we are going to pichar.
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pepa
Used to describe something that is top-notch, high quality, or visually striking. It is a common Ecuadorian slang term to indicate that a person or object looks amazing or is of excellent quality.
That watch you bought is really pepa, it goes with everything you wear.
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Chucha tu madre
A vulgar expression used to add aggression and force to a command. It serves to pressure the listener, signaling that a request is being made with extreme urgency or anger. (In Ecuador, the literal reference to a mother's anatomy makes this a highly offensive and hostile intensifier).
Pass me those tools once and for all, chucha tu madre!
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Nitido
Used to describe something excellent, well-presented, or of high quality. It is a popular way to say something is cool, brand new, or looks incredibly good.
Hey, that music you put on is nítida, pass me the name of the band in a bit.
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cuatro ojos
A descriptive, often teasing nickname for someone who wears glasses. It is extremely common in schools or among close friends.
Hey, cuatro ojos, fix your glasses because it looks like you cannot see where you are going.
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aletoso
Refers to an extremely intense or clingy person who wears out the patience of those around them. It is someone whose attitude is annoying, tiresome, or simply difficult to tolerate for long.
Stop being so aletoso and quit calling every five minutes, I already told you I am not going to that party.
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Tripear
A popular term among Ecuadorian youth for enjoying a situation, experimenting with something, or having a good time at a party. It is frequently used to describe checking something out, trying a product, or just vibing in a social setting. (farra: the local word for a party).
Did you see what Juan brought? Let's tripear that to see if it is really as good as they say.
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Cholo
Used to describe someone who lacks manners or behaves in a vulgar and unrefined way. It labels people who act rude or without class. (In Ecuador, this term is often used as a classist insult to mock behavior deemed unsophisticated).
Hey, don't be so cholo and stop talking with your mouth full!
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Culo
A vulgar term used to refer to a woman with whom one is having a casual fling or a temporary hookup. It is generally used to talk about a recent conquest or a partner without a serious commitment.
Juan didn't come to the party because he went to the beach with a Culo he met last month.
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coima
A bribe or kickback paid under the table to influence an official or authority. It is an illegal payment made to speed up bureaucracy, avoid a fine, or obtain an improper favor.
The traffic cop wanted to take my car to the impound lot, but he left without a fuss because I gave him a twenty dollar coima.
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grajo
Refers to the strong, pungent smell coming from the armpits when someone has sweated a lot or skipped deodorant. It is the common way Ecuadorians describe armpit B.O. in everyday situations.
Damn, that guy has such a powerful grajo that my eyes actually started watering in the elevator.
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Pajero
Used to describe a man who masturbates constantly, but it is very common to use it for someone who is lazy, lacks energy, or tires out immediately when doing any physical work.
Come on, move fast and help with the boxes, don't be such a pajero!
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Paila
A large, round metal basin with a curved bottom used for traditional frying. It is the signature tool for making fritada (a popular Ecuadorian dish of slow-cooked pork) and artisanal hand-churned ice cream, which is stirred in the paila over a bed of ice.
Hand me the bronze paila, we have all the meat ready to start cooking!
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tuca
Used to describe a woman with a solid, imposing, and well-built physique, particularly one with thick, firm, and strong legs.
That girl who plays basketball is really tuca, you can tell she has a lot of strength in her thighs.
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esperma
In Ecuador, this is the common term for candles or wax tapers used for light. It is used interchangeably for small household candles and large church candles.
Pass me a match to light that esperma, I can't see a thing in this room.
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Pilas
Describes someone who is sharp, smart, or quick-witted. It is also used as an exhortation to wake up, stay alert, or pay attention (the word literally means batteries, implying one is powered up or energized).
If you want to pass the final exam, you need to get Pilas starting today because the professor is really strict.
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putear
To cuss someone out or give them a verbal lashing after they messed up. It is a common term for an intense scolding or a barrage of insults. (While the root word is highly vulgar, in this context it refers to any severe reprimand regardless of the specific words used.)
My mom me puteó all the way home because I forgot to buy the groceries for lunch.
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paco
A common and often derogatory nickname for uniformed members of the National Police. It is primarily used in informal street contexts to identify authority figures, specifically distinguishing them from plainclothes officers.
Heads up, hide that! The pacos are coming on the motorcycle and they are going to search us!
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Lambon
A term for someone who tries to gain favor with bosses or authority figures through over-the-top flattery and servility. This person lacks dignity and focuses on sucking up to others to get ahead or receive personal favors.
Stop being such a lambon with the manager: even if you bring him coffee and laugh at all his jokes, he is not going to give you a raise.
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chapa
A common slang term used across Ecuador to refer to police officers, including traffic agents and security forces. It is an informal, everyday way to say 'cop'.
Hide the beers, some chapas just got out of the patrol car out there and they are going to fine us.
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bagre
This is a fish that lives in fresh or salt water, known for its unattractive appearance and the whiskers around its mouth. It is a very common species in Ecuadorian artisanal fishing, recognizable by its smooth skin and wide head.
We spent the whole afternoon casting our lines in the river, but in the end all we managed to catch was a really ugly bagre.
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Chula
An adjective used to praise the physical appearance of a woman or girl, highlighting that she looks very attractive or beautiful. It is an affectionate term that acts as a direct synonym for pretty or lovely.
Hey, your daughter is so chula, she looks more like her mom every day!
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