Words and definitions Rolo Vale has contributed to the street dictionary.
A street slang term for powdered cocaine in Colombia. It is commonly used in party and nightlife contexts, often as a synonym for other local terms like perico or la blanca.
Is that guy still doing quicio or has he finally quit that heavy habit?
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A person who is dressed up very elegantly or formally, typically for a special event or party. It describes someone looking sharp and wearing their best clothes.
What is with that piruca look? It is not like you are getting married today in that suit.
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Informal Colombian slang for the head. It is frequently used in casual contexts or to describe hits to the head (in standard Spanish, the word refers to an animal gizzard).
That kid hit himself against the door frame and now he has a huge bump right on his molleja.
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To get into a mess or a complicated situation. It also means to get hyped up, to rush, or to be high on stimulants. Additionally, it is used when someone talks you into a shady situation or a scam that ends up causing you trouble.
That buddy embaló me with the story that the business was a sure thing, and now I am the one stuck paying back all that money.
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A phonetic variation of the word hombre (man), extremely popular in the Caribbean region of Colombia. It is used to address a friend or as an interjection to add emphasis to any emotion within a conversation (it is a staple of the coastal Costeño dialect and vallenato music).
Aw ombe, do not tell me you forgot the keys at the house again!
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A slang adjective for someone who has lost their mind or acts erratically. It is used to describe a person who is totally nuts or out of touch with reality.
Watch out for that neighbor because he went totally cocodrilo and started throwing rocks at the cars.
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A physical beating or thrashing given as punishment or a reprimand. It is most commonly used when an adult disciplines a child with a sharp strike, either by hand or using an object like a belt.
Keep misbehaving and as soon as we get home I am going to give you a pela you will never forget.
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To put a lot of effort into wooing or winning someone over. The expression refers to the way a rooster lowers its wings and walks tilted around a hen during a mating ritual to get her attention.
Juan has been arrastrándole el ala to his best friend's cousin for months, but the girl has not paid him the slightest bit of attention.
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Used to describe something broken, someone in poor health, or a situation that is particularly difficult to handle. It is a vulgar term indicating that things are in a bad state or failing.
That computer is completely jodido and won't even turn on anymore, I am going to have to take it to the shop tomorrow.
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A common term in Colombia for dental braces or orthodontics. It is typically used to refer to the metal brackets that kids or adults wear on their teeth.
As soon as I got my aparatos put on, I could not eat anything solid for three days because the pain was so brutal.
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An informal exclamation used to reassure someone, telling them to chill, relax, or not to worry. It indicates that a situation is fine and there is no need for stress or hurry.
Fresco, do not worry about the bill, lunch is on me today!
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A state of intense sexual arousal or a deep craving for physical intimacy. It describes the carnal lust felt when someone is found to be extremely attractive.
That woman has me with an incredible bellaquera, I cannot stop thinking about what I would do to her if we were alone.
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Light, open footwear like flip-flops or slides used for comfort at home. They are the basic item for walking around the house or heading to the shower (Colombians often wear them indoors to avoid walking barefoot on cold floors, which is traditionally thought to cause illness).
Son, do not go into the bathroom like that, put on your chancletas so you do not slip on that soap.
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The cold, damp air that descends at night, which is popularly believed to be harmful to your health if you are not properly bundled up. It is commonly thought that this night chill causes illness, particularly for children with their heads uncovered or people who are under the influence of alcohol. (In Colombia, it is a common cultural belief that exposure to the night mist leads to sudden respiratory sickness).
Come inside and put on a sweater, because that sereno is hitting hard and you will wake up with a nasty cold tomorrow!
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Used in rural settings to describe a cow that is sterile or has trouble getting pregnant. It is common jargon among ranchers for a female animal unfit for reproduction.
That cow turned out to be Machorra, and since she did not produce any calves, we had to send her straight to the slaughterhouse.
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A colloquial and mocking term for a very old person. It compares their wrinkled skin to a raisin, which is the literal meaning of the word.
That man is already very pasa, I do not think he can handle such a long walk through town.
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To have the guts or nerve to handle tough situations with courage and aim for big goals. It characterizes someone who is not afraid to take risks to achieve major success.
You have to Tener Agallas to invest in such a risky business, but the homie is determined to make something of himself.
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A term for someone who is spaced out, zoned out, or extremely slow to react. It is used to describe a person who seems to be in their own world and is not processing information or situations quickly.
Hey, do not just stand there all lela staring at the ceiling, help me carry these bags!
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In Colombian street slang, this is a vulgar term for the female external genitals. It is a common, crude synonym for pussy or vulva in informal contexts.
She does not like wearing that kind of underwear because she says it chafes her gallo too much.
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A term used for any light-skinned foreigner with Caucasian features, whether they come from Europe or North America. It is the most common way to refer to white tourists visiting the country (in Colombia, this label is applied to any white-looking foreigner and is not restricted to US citizens).
Yesterday some gringos asked me how to get downtown because they were lost with the map.
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A slang term for a thief or petty criminal who steals people's belongings. It is commonly used to describe street robbers or burglars operating in neighborhoods.
The neighbors caught that caco right when he was trying to jump over the fence of the house across the street.
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An acronym that, while usually vulgar, is ironically reinterpreted in Colombian slang as the phrase hoy Dios perdona (today God forgives). It is used among friends to indicate that a mistake has been forgiven or that no hard feelings remain after a misunderstanding. (The abbreviation HDP usually stands for hijo de puta, the Spanish equivalent of son of a bitch).
Don't worry, it's all good, HDP, I love you, man.
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Refers to that heavy, stifling heat that feels thick and suffocating when the sun is beating down. It describes a muggy atmosphere that makes you break into a sweat instantly and gives a sense of being smothered.
This bochorno is so intense today in this city, I feel like I am stuck inside an oven.
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Used to describe a person, place, or situation that feels sketchy, shady, or dangerous. It refers to the feeling of unease or threat when something seems suspicious or like trouble is about to happen. (In Colombia, this term is frequently used to warn others about high-crime areas or suspicious people).
We better not go through that neighborhood at this hour, it looks very asaroso and we could get mugged.
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Refers to the boss, superior, or manager in charge of a work team or the person who coordinates subordinates. It is the individual with the authority to give orders and supervise tasks within a company or organization.
Come on, hurry up with that report because the jefe arrives in ten minutes and he does not want to see anyone wasting time in the office.
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Small, thin paper used for rolling marijuana cigarettes. In Colombian slang, it is the basic tool used to roll a bareto (the local term for a joint).
Dude, I ran out of forros, do you think they sell them at that corner store?
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Small crumbs or tiny fragments that break off solid food when you handle or bite it. It usually refers to what is left on the table after eating bread, arepas (cornmeal cakes common in Colombia), or cookies.
Wipe the table down because you left bread boronas everywhere.
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A very popular and vulgar expression for having sex. It is used to describe anything from a casual hookup to sex with a long-term partner. (In Colombia, a motel is typically a venue rented by the hour specifically for sexual encounters).
After so long without seeing each other, those two went straight to the motel to echarse un buen polvo.
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Refers to a person who completely lacks empathy and acts with terrifying coldness. It describes someone ruthless who feels no compassion when hurting others.
Be careful with that boss because he is very malo, he did not care about throwing all those people out on the street right in the middle of Christmas.
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Refers to the degree of doneness for a cut of beef. It is the standard word used in restaurants to specify how cooked or juicy a person wants their steak.
Please bring me the churrasco in término medio, I do not like it when it turns out too dry.
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A vulgar Colombian slang term for a woman's genitals, specifically when they are particularly large, bulky, or clearly visible through clothing. It is the augmentative form of panocho, a common slang word for vulva.
That girl has an impressive panochon showing through those white pants she put on.
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A term used to describe a man who is a womanizer or who is frequently unfaithful to his partners. It is a very common way to refer to someone who is always looking for new romantic conquests and refuses to commit.
Poor Juliana, she found out her boyfriend is a perro and was cheating on her with her best friend!
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This refers to the straw, chaff, or dried grass used on farms to feed cows and other livestock. It is the fodder stored to sustain animals when fresh pasture is scarce.
We need to go to the barn for a couple of sacks of tamo because the calves already finished what we gave them this morning.
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To snack or nibble on small bites of food, usually in an informal way between main meals. It is common when sharing finger foods or appetizers at a social gathering. (An asado is a traditional barbecue or social event centered around grilling meat).
If you are all very hungry, we can start picando these little empanadas while we finish making the asado.
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The school where students attend classes from primary through high school. Colombians use this for any educational facility prior to higher education (note: it does not mean university or college in the English sense).
My brother is still in Colegio, he has two years left to graduate from high school.
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Used when a social gathering or situation starts getting exciting and people get really hyped up. It describes the moment the atmosphere comes alive and everyone gets into a festive party mood (in Colombia, a rumba is a party or night out).
The party was really boring but as soon as they put on salsa, everyone se prendió and nobody sat down again.
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An adjective describing a person who is a massive fan of rural folk music like carrilera and guasca, which is traditionally played in small-town bars and taverns specializing in songs of heartbreak. (Musica guasca and carrilera are traditional Colombian genres from the rural interior, often associated with drinking and working-class culture).
Nothing is more arrabalero than sitting down to listen to guascas with a bottle of aguardiente on a Friday afternoon.
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Refers to the roll of fat that accumulates on the sides of the waist, creating a visible bulge over clothing. It is the love handle or muffin top that appears when someone gains weight, especially noticeable when wearing tight pants.
It is so annoying! These pants are so tight that my whole banano is sticking out.
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A common name used in the countryside for a shrub or small tree from the acacia family. It grows wild and is very similar to the sweet acacia tree.
We had to remove that guarango from the path because the thorns were scratching all the cars that were heading to the farm.
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