Words and definitions Pibe Lunfa has contributed to the street dictionary.
To bribe or pay someone off, typically an official, so they do what you want or overlook an offense. It is a common way to talk about paying bribes (often called coimas in the region) or corruption.
The guy was going the wrong way without a license, but he compró the cop with a few bills and was let go.
Automatically translated from Spanish
This is the spherical, typically inflatable object used for sports like soccer or basketball. It is a synonym for a ball (in Argentina, the word pelota is much more common in everyday speech).
Hand me the balón, we are going to take some shots on goal before practice starts.
Automatically translated from Spanish
An affectionate and common way to refer to a dog, whether it is a pedigree pet or a stray. It is used to speak about dogs with warmth and familiarity.
Yesterday I found a lost pichicho in the park and took him to the vet to see if he had a chip.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A colloquial nickname in Lunfardo for a woman who practices witchcraft or fortune-telling. It is used to refer to a witch or someone who claims to have psychic abilities (Lunfardo is the slang dialect of the Rio de la Plata region, primarily Buenos Aires).
That suegra who works around the corner read my cards and told me I was going to do well on the exam.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used in a cocky and sometimes vulgar way to refer to the mother of a girl you are interested in, implying she will facilitate a hookup or hand her daughter over. (In Argentina, using this term is a bold way to address a potential mother in law before any relationship exists to show interest in the daughter).
Julieta's mom is looking good, I hope she acts like a good suegra and helps me out with her daughter.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to a person who brings bad luck or is considered a walking jinx. It is a term used for someone whose mere presence supposedly attracts misfortune to those around them.
Don't you even think about letting that fosforito sit at our table because we are going to do poorly at the casino.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe someone who is a physical wreck, looking like a worn-out rag from exhaustion or neglect. It refers to a person who is a total mess after a rough night or looks extremely weak and pathetic.
After a week without sleep because of exams, the poor kid is a piltrafa who can barely even function.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A mocking nickname for someone with leftist, socialist, or communist views. The comparison comes from how these animals turn red when cooked, the color historically associated with those political movements.
That guy turned out to be a total Camaron, he spends every hangout talking about the revolution and social justice.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to a person with no backbone who is easily manipulated or acts in a naive, foolish way. It is that individual who lacks personality and ends up being everyone else's puppet (literally meaning a rag doll or straw man).
You looked like a pelele waiting for two hours on the corner while your friends went somewhere else and didn't even let you know.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A small, cramped, or neglected corner used as a hideout or shelter. It is a hidden spot where someone tucks themselves away to avoid being seen or to store things out of sight.
The little boy set up a sucucho under the stairs to hide whenever he does not want to take a bath.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe a loud, chaotic racket made by a group of people talking or shouting at once. It refers to an annoying ruckus that disrupts the peace and quiet of a space.
What a bochinche they have going on in the yard, you can't even have a quiet conversation!
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to someone with a lot of nerve who acts without shame, taking liberties that are not theirs without batting an eye. It describes the type of person who takes advantage of others or a situation with a level of boldness that is shocking.
Look at how Fresco this guy is, he crashed the asado without being invited and then on top of that he complains the meat is cold. (An asado is a traditional social gathering centered around a barbecue).
Automatically translated from Spanish
Someone who is in a bad way, screwed over, or going through a rough patch.
After the divorce he ended up jodido and with nowhere to live.
Automatically translated from Spanish
This word is not part of the regular Argentine vocabulary and has no local meaning. It is almost never used except when encountered in Colombian TV shows to refer to what Argentines call olor a pata (stinky feet).
I was watching a Colombian series yesterday and the main character said he had PECUECA, I had to look up what it meant because here in Argentina we do not use that expression for smelly feet.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A loud, chaotic, and annoying noise that disrupts the peace. It is a somewhat old-fashioned term, often used by older generations to complain about a racket or a commotion.
Please turn the volume down a bit, you can't even talk with so much bochinche!
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to someone who is extremely slow-moving and takes their sweet time to complete any task. It describes a person who moves with excessive calm, showing no sense of urgency even when others are in a hurry.
Come on, hurry up a bit and don't be so cachaciento: the movie already started and you still haven't finished buying the popcorn.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A friendly term of address used to speak to someone with familiarity or affection, regardless of their actual physical build. It is an extremely common way to interact with friends, acquaintances, or even strangers in a casual, polite tone (while the word literally means skinny, in Argentina it is used like buddy or man and is not a comment on weight).
What are you up to, flaco! So long without running into you around here, how is everything?
Automatically translated from Spanish
Someone who looks after a property, business, or construction site overnight. It is basically a night watchman who works while everyone else is sleeping.
Better call the factory sereno to see if the truck already left or if it is still being loaded.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to a crafty or opportunistic person who seeks to gain an advantage through cunning or a lack of ethics. This individual acts with shamelessness to get ahead of others (in Argentina, this behavior is linked to the concept of viveza criolla, or the cultural habit of using street smarts to bypass rules).
This guy thinks he is very vivo because he charged us double the actual price, but we will catch him eventually.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A domestic worker in a wealthy home who acts as a gopher, primarily responsible for catering to the errands and whims of privileged children.
That kid doesn't even know how to make himself a coffee because he has a zumbador at home who does everything he asks.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to a massive mess or a jumbled heap of things mixed together without any order. It is used for physical clutter or a muddle of confusing ideas that are hard to sort out (the term comes from a traditional thick corn porridge where everything is mashed together).
You need to tidy up your desk a bit because between the papers, cables, and mugs, you have got a total mazamorra going on.
Automatically translated from Spanish
To get hammered or wasted by drinking too much alcohol. It is a slang term for getting drunk (common in Northern Argentina).
If we are going to CHUMAR like that, we better leave the car here and take a taxi back.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A person who fakes belonging to a subculture or having certain interests just to show off or gain social status. It refers to someone who lacks authenticity and adopts a specific look or attitude in a forced way to impress others.
Don't believe a word he says, he is a total POSERO who bought a Nirvana shirt at the mall and doesn't know a single song by the band.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe something that is excessively expensive or overpriced for what it is. It is a common way to say that the cost of a product or service is through the roof.
I loved the leather jacket I saw at the mall, but when I checked the price it was really SALADA.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A casual way to address a friend or acquaintance, similar to dude or man. It is a shortened version of boludo, typically used in working-class neighborhoods. (In Argentina, boludo is a ubiquitous term for a friend, though it can also mean dummy depending on the tone).
Listen, bolo, are you going to your cousin's place tonight after all?
Automatically translated from Spanish
A bribe or kickback paid secretly to a government official or authority to speed up a process. It is a payoff used to gain an unfair advantage or bypass legal steps (The word literally means oil, referring to the act of greasing the wheels of bureaucracy).
To get his shop license approved quickly, he had to provide a little aceite, because otherwise the inspector would not sign anything.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe someone who is very sexually aroused or horny at the moment. It is a vulgar colloquialism for being in heat.
Look at this guy, he has been so arrecho since that girl walked into the boliche (nightclub).
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to a person's bald spot or a completely bald head. It is a very common and direct way to talk about someone's lack of hair.
My uncle's Pelada started showing at thirty and now he spends all his time buying caps to cover it up.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A derogatory term for a weakling or pushover who lacks their own will and is easily manipulated. It describes someone with no initiative who is viewed as insignificant or useless (literally a straw man or puppet).
Stop being such a pelele and stand up to your boss, because he is using you to do all the dirty work.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe someone who is in a state of total satisfaction and absolute joy. It refers to a person who feels radiant, carefree, and is living their best life to the fullest.
Ever since she got that new job and moved out on her own, my sister is plena.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A colloquial nickname for cadets training at the National Military College (the Argentine Army officer academy). It is used to identify these young students while they are completing their official military education. (The name literally means little match, referring to the red stripe on their ceremonial uniform).
My brother is super excited because tomorrow he takes the oath of allegiance along with all his fellow fosforitos at the Military College.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A wide leather belt typical of Argentine rural clothing, featuring a row of small pockets with flaps for carrying personal items. It is designed to keep belongings secure while working or riding (part of traditional gaucho attire).
Put your tobacco and coins in the culero so you do not lose anything while we are riding.
Automatically translated from Spanish
This word is formed by reversing the syllables of calle, the Spanish word for street. It is used in casual conversation to refer to the street, the sidewalk, or the outside world (this linguistic style of flipping syllables is known as vesre in the Rio de la Plata region).
I spent the whole afternoon hitting the lleca looking for a gift for my old lady's birthday.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe someone who lacks street smarts or wit: a person who is overly naive, gullible, or acts a bit slow and foolish.
Don't be such a pajaro, they told you the exam was canceled and you fell for it right away.
Automatically translated from Spanish
The term for a knucklebone and a traditional gambling game where this bone is tossed. It is a staple of rural Argentine culture where players bet on which side lands facing up after hitting the dirt (historically associated with gauchos and rural social gatherings).
My grandfather was an expert at throwing the taba and always won a few pesos at the Sunday barbecues.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A vulgar expression for having sex, usually referring to a casual encounter or a quickie.
We had not seen each other for months, so as soon as he got home we echamos un polvo.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A drinking straw. This is the standard term used in Argentina for the plastic or paper tube used to sip liquids, whereas other Spanish-speaking countries might use terms like pajita or pitillo.
Ask the waiter for a sorbete because this smoothie has too much ice and you cannot drink it easily.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe something fake, low quality, or flimsy that breaks almost immediately. It also refers to counterfeit bills.
Don't buy that charger, it's totally chino and it'll only last you two days.
Automatically translated from Spanish
To suddenly speed up or gain momentum while walking, running, or driving. It refers to when a person or a vehicle catches a burst of speed and starts moving faster and faster.
We were cruising down the avenue until the bus driver suddenly embaló to try and beat the yellow light. (A colectivero is the driver of a public bus in Argentina).
Automatically translated from Spanish
A very common term in the River Plate region (Argentina and Uruguay) for total chaos, a lack of organization, or a mess that is hard to untangle. It applies to physical clutter, a loud argument, or a big scandal.
Hey, tidy up your room a bit because you have a huge despelote and you can't even walk.
Automatically translated from Spanish
An affectionate way to address a male friend or acquaintance, used to show closeness and trust. (While the literal translation is brother, it is used as a casual vocative similar to man or bro).
Hey, hermano, let me know if you are coming over to watch the game after all!
Automatically translated from Spanish
A disparaging way to refer to Racing Club de Avellaneda, a team criticized for its lack of international success compared to clubs like Estudiantes de La Plata. Detractors mock their trophy count and claim they live in the shadow of Independiente, their main rival. (Racing is historically one of Argentina's five big clubs, a status frequently debated by rival fans).
You can't say they are the fourth biggest team if they are Racing and they have fewer Libertadores (the South American continental championship) titles than el Pincha (Estudiantes de La Plata).
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe the act of drinking alcohol, typically in excess or with the intent of getting wasted. It is a very common term in everyday, informal Argentine speech.
We went to the bar with the guys to mamar for a bit and ended up getting home at some crazy hour.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A person's personal signature or unique flair they bring to their work, giving it a distinct touch that sets them apart. It refers to a specific, characteristic way of carrying oneself or approaching a project.
The new head coach has a very aggressive estilo when setting up matches, nothing like what we had been seeing at the club.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe someone with physical features characteristic of indigenous or Native American people, usually referring to those with darker skin and strong facial features that show that ancestry. (In Argentina, this look is commonly associated with people from the northern provinces).
The kid working at the kiosk is really indio, he has the face of someone from the north.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used in rural settings to describe a horse that has not been tamed and resists being ridden by bucking. It refers to an untamed animal that does not easily accept being controlled or led (a term common in Argentine gaucho culture).
Watch out for that colt because he is quite bellaco and he will try to throw you to the ground as soon as you put the saddle on him.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to a sexual encounter or situation where one woman has sex with multiple men at the same time. It is a modern slang term used to describe this type of group sex.
I heard that a becerro ended up happening in the back room at the party last night.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A childish and informal way to refer to the penis. It is commonly used with small children or in very close, familiar settings to soften the term.
Get out of the pool and put your towel on, kid, your whole pilín is showing!
Automatically translated from Spanish
Esta página también está en español.
Leer en español
Argentina