Street words and phrases used in Guatemala, with definitions and examples written by their people.
A slang and often derogatory term used to refer to a gay man. In Guatemala, it is frequently used as a slur in everyday language to point out that someone is gay.
That guy who works at the store is marica, I saw him walking hand in hand with his partner the other day.
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A term used specifically for a soccer ball. It is the essential spherical object needed to start a match or a chamusca on any field (a chamusca is a traditional Guatemalan informal or street soccer game).
Bring the balón, man, we are all here now to start playing on the field.
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The intense physical discomfort felt the morning after drinking too much alcohol. It is the common slang word for a hangover, usually involving fatigue, extreme thirst, and a headache.
I will not be able to go play soccer tomorrow because I am definitely going to wake up with a massive goma.
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Refers to a severe hangover involving nausea, stomach pain, and extreme fatigue following excessive alcohol consumption.
Man, I have such a massive Goma! I overdid the drinks last night and today I cannot even look at the sunlight.
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An adjective used to describe a person, animal, or object as cute, pretty, or charming. It is a very common way to highlight that something is aesthetically pleasing or endearing.
Look at that little girl, she looks so Chula with that ribbon in her hair.
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A violent, malicious foul in soccer where a player strikes an opponent with the sole of their boot and studs first. It often describes a painful, direct collision of shins resulting from excessive force.
That defender was way too aggressive and hit the forward with a plancha that almost broke his leg.
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A very common Guatemalan term used to greet a close friend, similar to man or bro, or to describe someone who is mentally unstable. It is used in informal contexts to show camaraderie or to point out erratic behavior.
What's up, loko, are you coming to the party tonight?
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A stroke of luck or a fluke. It is used when something turns out well purely by chance or without much planning.
You passed the exam by pure wasa because you hadn't even opened the book to study.
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The common, everyday way Guatemalans refer to a soda or soft drink. It is used to ask for any type of bottled carbonated beverage, regardless of its brand or flavor.
Let's stop by the store for a cold Agua because this heat is unbearable.
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A heavy-hitting insult used to label someone as despicable, malicious, or unethical. In Guatemalan speech, it is among the harshest insults used to express intense hatred or deep resentment.
That hijo de puta stole my life savings and fled up north (to the United States) without leaving a trace.
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A term used in Guatemala for someone who has poor vision or is nearsighted. It is a common and casual way to tell someone they cannot see well or that they need to wear glasses.
Put your glasses on because you are really choco now, you did not even say hi to your cousin who passed right in front of you.
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Used to describe someone who is blind or has poor eyesight. It is most commonly used to tease someone who cannot find an object that is right in front of them because they are distracted.
You are so choco, the phone is right there in front of your face!
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A slang term for a powerful physical impact, a hard hit, or an unexpected wallop. It is used when someone gets hurt by slamming into something or being struck hard by another person.
Watch out for that door because if you are not careful you are going to take a guamaso right in the face.
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A common slang term in Guatemala for a girlfriend or a female partner. It is used in casual conversation to refer to a man's girl or significant other.
Look, there goes Brayan with his guisa walking through the park.
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Used for someone who is incredibly naive or lacks street smarts, making them an easy target. It is a common term for calling someone a dummy or airhead after they make a mistake out of pure carelessness.
You are such a maje! They totally ripped you off with that watch you bought at the market.
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A colloquial term for a nanny or a woman employed to look after children in a private household.
Fortunately the chino is very sharp and always keeps the kids well-fed and clean.
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Used to describe someone who shows a lot of guts and is not intimidated by dangerous or difficult situations. It refers to someone who has courage and takes action without fearing the risk.
That guy is really arrecho, he did not care that the river was flooded and jumped in to rescue the dog.
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Refers to someone who looks like a drug user, particularly a stoner, usually with a hippie or disheveled appearance. It describes a person who is completely laid back and indifferent to social norms or criticism.
That guy turned into a total Pinta since he started hanging out with the university rastas and now he does not even go to class.
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Used to refer to any object, situation, or issue without naming it specifically. It is a versatile filler word used when something is bothersome or the speaker cannot find the right word for it.
What a mess you all are making with that vaina, you better get to work because it is already late!
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An adjective or state describing someone who is fed up, annoyed, or has reached the limit of their patience. It is used to indicate that a person can no longer tolerate a specific situation or behavior.
Honestly, they already have me chino with all this traffic, I do not even want to leave the house anymore.
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A common Guatemalan term for any criminal or delinquent who steals. It is the standard word used for a mugger or anyone who has committed a robbery.
Be careful with your phone on the bus, because that caco who just got off was looking for something to swipe! (In Guatemala, a camioneta refers to a public bus).
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Used to describe excessive noise or music at a very high volume. In other contexts, it indicates that a story is fake or that someone is telling lies.
I cannot stand the neighbors with their bulla at midnight anymore, although it turned out the thing about the party was pure bulla and they were just shouting.
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A debt, an outstanding bill, or a financial obligation that needs to be settled. A person is said to be enjaranado when they are in over their head with too many debts.
Because I kept spending on things I did not need, now I have a huge jarana with the moneylender and I do not know where to get the cash (pisto is the local slang for money).
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A common term for flip-flops or open-toed sandals, typically made of rubber or plastic, worn for comfort at home or in hot weather.
Put on your chancletas to go to the store, the pavement is too hot to go barefoot.
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A vulgar term for a round of sex or an ejaculation. In Guatemalan slang, it is used to quantify the number of sexual acts or male orgasms achieved during a single encounter.
That guy thinks he is a real man just because he says he had three polvos in one night.
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A term for someone who is constantly bossed around, forced to do errands, or made the target of every joke. It applies to a person who lets others walk all over them, treating them like a servant or a toy.
Look at that guy, they turned him into their Gato again and now he is even doing everyone else's homework.
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A very common term in Guatemala for a person who steals or mugs others. It is used to identify any street criminal or delinquent who is out looking for trouble or victims.
Be careful when you walk through that alley at this hour, because they say a couple of cacos are always hanging around there waiting for someone to mug.
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A Guatemalan slang term for a girlfriend or a female romantic partner. It is a common way to refer to one's significant other in casual conversation.
Man, I won't be able to make it to the pickup soccer game today because I'm supposed to go to dinner with my guisa. (A chamusca is an informal street soccer match).
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Chewing gum. This is the elastic treat chewed for a long duration to freshen breath or just for distraction. In Guatemala, the term is used to refer to any variety of chewing gum.
Can you buy me a chicle at the store? I feel like I still have a garlic taste from the food.
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A very informal and endearing way to refer to a dog. It is used frequently in daily speech as a synonym for chucho (a common Central American term for a dog or mutt) to refer to any canine.
That chumino of yours is so cute, he looks really playful!
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Used to describe someone who is naive, foolish, or clueless. It is a very common term for a person who is easily tricked or slow to catch on.
You are so papo, man: how could you believe that story about winning the lottery when you didn't even buy a ticket?
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Used to describe an unexpected stroke of luck or a very favorable coincidence. It refers to sudden good fortune that helps you achieve something without necessarily putting in any effort.
You have such great leche that you found that hundred bill lying on the sidewalk!
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Used to describe a problem, a mess, or a tricky situation. It is a very common expression for an inconvenience that requires a solution or causes worry.
Man, I got into a huge clavo because I crashed my dad's car and he doesn't know yet.
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A vulgar and blunt term for a woman's genitals. It is very common in everyday Guatemalan slang, usually used among close friends or in sexual contexts.
That skirt is so short that if she is not careful, her whole panocha is going to show.
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A leather belt, specifically one used for physical punishment or whipping. In local slang, it is used to threaten someone with a beating or disciplinary action (Chapin is a common nickname for people from Guatemala).
If you do not clean your room right now, you are going to see what happens when your dad pulls out the chicote.
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A very informal and blunt term for the armpit.
Good grief, hurry up and shower, your sobaco is already reeking because of this heat.
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Used to describe someone who is dazed, distracted, or slow to react. It is a common way to point out that someone is spacing out or acting naive.
Good grief, man, do not just stand there lelo staring at the traffic; hurry up, we are already late!
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Refers to a total dumbass or clumsy idiot who has a bad habit of ruining everything they try to do. It is a derogatory label for someone who constantly screws up because they lack good judgment.
Don't be such a pendejo, it's your fault we got lost in traffic and didn't get to the party on time.
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A large, usually elaborately decorated wooden platform used to carry religious statues on the shoulders of devotees during street processions. (In Guatemala, these floats are central to the massive Holy Week celebrations).
The anda of the Lord of the Review looks so impressive with all those decorations and fresh flowers!
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A casual way to address a friend, acquaintance, or anyone you know well, similar to dude or bro. It is frequently used to get someone's attention in informal conversations.
Look, mae, if you do not hurry up the bus will leave us behind.
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A term for a woman who has dressed up or looks especially attractive and well-groomed. It is used when someone stands out for looking good in their outfit or overall styling.
Look how chula the birthday girl got to welcome her guests.
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A Guatemalan term for a bullshitter or a liar. It describes someone who constantly exaggerates facts, tells tall tales, or invents excuses to impress others.
Don't believe a word that guy says, he is a real pajero and just makes things up to look good for everyone.
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Used to describe something as excellent, pleasant, or very positive. It acts as a direct synonym for cool or fantastic in everyday situations.
Look how Chevere that jacket is that you bought downtown. (Chumpa is the local term used for jacket).
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Used to describe someone who lacks wit or acts clumsily. It is a way to call someone a fool or an idiot for making a careless mistake or for being easily tricked due to their naivety (In Guatemala and other parts of Central America, it is also very commonly used as a casual filler word like dude, but in this context it is a mild insult).
You are such a maje, you left the door open and the dog came in and made a mess of the whole house!
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Refers to a state of total leisure, relaxation, or laziness. It is used when someone is chilling out, taking it easy, or has no responsibilities to attend to (the word literally means stuffed animal, evoking a sense of soft, idle comfort).
I'm so jealous of you, just there de peluche on the sofa while I have to finish this report.
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A person who shares the same first name as another. It is very common to use this term as a friendly nickname or to break the ice when you meet someone who has the same name as you.
What is up, tocayo! It is good to see there are still several of us with the same name in this office.
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A cheat sheet or crib note used by students to sneakily check answers during an exam. This is the specific Guatemalan term for what is known in other Spanish-speaking countries as an acordeon or chuleta.
I almost got expelled because the principal found a chivo with all the history dates taped to the back of my calculator.
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Used to describe someone who feels melancholy, sensitive, or down in the dumps. It refers to a state of emotional listlessness or being in a bit of a funk, often implying the person needs comfort or is feeling fragile.
Ever since his best friend left the country, Luis has been feeling really chipi and hardly leaves his room.
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