Street words and phrases used in Paraguay, with definitions and examples written by their people.
A vulgar slang term for having sex. It is the most common everyday word for to fuck or to screw in informal settings. (In Latin America, unlike in Spain where the word means to grab or to take, it is strictly sexual and highly vulgar).
He says he does not want anything serious with her, that they only get together to coger every now and then.
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A vulgar Paraguayan expression used to tell someone to get lost or go to hell in a blunt and dismissive way. It is used to show that you are fed up and no longer want to listen to someone or that their presence is unbearable (the term is derived from a Guarani word for masturbation).
If you come here again with your lies, you already know the deal: go to japiro and don't come back!
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A dishonest person who habitually deceives others or acts in bad faith for personal gain. It refers to someone who lacks principles and cannot be trusted (the term often implies a lack of codes, which are the informal rules of loyalty and street ethics common in the region).
That guy turned out to be a total garca, he promised he would pay me for the work on Monday and now he won't even answer his phone.
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A derogatory term for a show-off who constantly flaunts their money and expensive belongings to get attention.
Look at the truck that Pelagato bought just to show off at the club.
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Used to describe a man someone has a romantic or sexual connection with without a formal commitment or the boyfriend label. It refers to a casual partner or hookup, sometimes used mockingly or dismissively by others.
I heard they saw Lucia at the movies with her chongo, even though she swears she is still single.
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The act of pulling back the foreskin to fully expose the head of the penis. In Paraguayan slang, it refers specifically to this manual movement.
Be careful when you japiro because if you do it too hard you can hurt the frenulum.
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A vulgar term used to describe a woman seeking casual sex with different men. It refers to female promiscuity or the act of going out to party with the sole intention of picking someone up (derived from the word puta, meaning whore).
I heard Dahiana went out to putear downtown on Friday and did not get back home until noon.
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A brown-nosing public employee who neglects their work to act as a political shill or to flatter their superiors. It also refers to a snitch or office tattletale who spies on and reports colleagues while wasting time. (In Paraguay, this term often describes employees who focus on political party propaganda to secure their government positions instead of doing their jobs).
Stop being such an alcahuete and get to work instead of watching who arrives late just to tell the boss.
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Refers to a situation of total chaos, a huge mess, or a loud and confusing environment. It is a common term for public scandals, big commotions, or any event that spirals out of control.
The traffic heading into Asuncion was a total despelote this morning because of the flash floods (heavy rain in Paraguay often creates dangerous torrents of water on the streets known as raudales).
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A colloquial Paraguayan term for the vulva. It is widely used in everyday and family settings to refer to female private parts. (In most other Spanish-speaking countries this word means cute or pretty, but in Paraguay it refers to female anatomy).
The baby girl's chula is very chafed because the diaper gave her a rash.
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A vulgar term for a coward or someone who lacks guts, used for a person who gives in to fear during risky or high-pressure situations.
Your friend is a cagada, he didn't even have the balls to get on the roller coaster with us.
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In Paraguayan slang, this vulgar term refers to masturbation, but it also describes someone who is extremely lazy, useless, or incompetent. It is frequently used among friends to label someone a slacker or unreliable.
That buddy is a total paja, I asked him to bring me the tools and he just stayed asleep on the couch.
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Used for someone who is hammered, wasted, or totally drunk. In a more figurative sense among friends, it describes someone who is full of it or talking nonsense.
Don't pay any attention to Derlis, he had a little wine and already got super bolo.
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An illegal payment given to a public official or authority to speed up paperwork or avoid a fine. It is a common corrupt practice where money is handed over under the table to secure favors or preferential treatment.
The traffic cop pulled me over because my license was expired, but I got out of it quickly by giving him a good coima. (In Paraguay, traffic officers are commonly called zorros).
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In Paraguayan speech, this refers to a child, a youth, or anyone younger than the speaker. It is frequently used by older people to emphasize someone's immaturity or lack of experience, even if the person is already an adult. (In Paraguay, the word is used specifically to denote youth rather than just being a general insult as it is in other countries).
Don't you come here giving me life lessons: when I was already working, you were still a pendejo who didn't even know how to tie his shoes!
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A vulgar term used to describe a man who masturbates frequently or the act of solo sex itself. (In Paraguay, this slang is almost exclusively male-oriented and is rarely applied to women).
Stop being such a pajero and go outside for a bit!
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A term for a brothel or a whorehouse. It is also used to describe a situation of total chaos, a massive mess, or a loud brawl. (The word originally referred to settlements of escaped slaves but evolved locally to mean a brothel and then any chaotic mess.)
A kilombo broke out on the corner because two buses crashed and the drivers started throwing punches.
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A shameless lowlife or scoundrel who lacks any moral values and acts in a brazen, despicable way without feeling remorse.
What an Atorrante that guy is, he stole his own mother's savings and now he's playing dumb!
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Used to describe a man who is extremely attractive or has a very striking physique. It is the augmentative form of bueno (good), used to highlight that a guy is very hot or well-built.
Did you see that Javi's cousin started going to the gym and now he is super BUENOTE?
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A casual and relatively mild way to refer to someone's buttocks or backside. It is used as a softer alternative to cruder terms like ass, keeping the tone informal but not particularly vulgar.
Move your poto a bit and help me clean the living room, the guests will be here any minute.
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To get annoyed, sulk, or be a sore loser when things go wrong or when you cannot take a joke. It describes a state of petty anger or a mini-tantrum caused by wounded pride.
Don't piches, we were just joking about your new haircut!
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An affectionate, childish term for the penis used within families for little boys. It functions as a polite or harmless alternative to anatomical or vulgar words.
Go put some underwear on this instant, you are running around with your pilin out!
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A term for an embarrassing situation, a snub, or a moment of intense social awkwardness. It is used when someone feels ignored or frustrated after making a fool of themselves in front of others.
I said hi to that guy at the supermarket thinking he was my cousin and he did not even acknowledge me, what a Pelada!
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To flex or show off provocatively, especially by flaunting wealth, possessions, or a superior attitude. It is used when someone tries to show out to make others envious of their lifestyle. (In Paraguay, this term is common in urban culture and is heavily influenced by Caribbean reggaeton slang).
Stop trying to frontear with that designer watch when we all know it is a knockoff.
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Describes the state of desperation or severe anxiety an addict feels when they cannot get drugs. It is the slang way to refer to withdrawal and the physical or mental distress that comes with it.
Stay away from that group because they all have the fisura and they are capable of anything to get their dose.
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Used in Paraguay to praise someone who is extremely hardworking, diligent, and productive. It is also a way to call a child brave when they have hurt themselves, encouraging them to be strong and not cry.
That mechanic is very guapo, he fixed my car engine in less than an hour.
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Refers to a catty atmosphere of gossip and malicious whispering, specifically within LGBT social circles. It is the constant act of judging and bad-mouthing others behind their backs.
We better go somewhere else because there is way too much ponchera in this bar and I am not in the mood to be bad-mouthed for no reason.
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Used for a person who is dim-witted or slow to catch on. It applies to people, situations, or reasoning that lacks any logical sense.
Man, you are such a tonto, how could you leave the gate open with the dog loose on the street!
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A gatecrasher who enters an event or party without an invitation or paying. It is also used for a line-cutter who skips ahead of others waiting their turn.
We saw a few guys jumping the wall to get into the party, it was full of colados who did not even know the birthday boy.
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A scatterbrained individual. Someone who is naive, simple-minded, and easily fooled (derived from the Guarani word tavy, meaning ignorant or crazy).
You are a total Tavyrón, look how you wasted your money for no damn reason.
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A buddy, sidekick, or partner, specifically referring to a regular teammate or companion for games and social activities.
That is my dúo for playing pool.
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In Paraguay, this describes a person who is constantly grumpy, ill-tempered, or unpleasant. It also refers to things that are dull and boring, or activities that are tedious and repetitive.
(1) That guy is very ARGEL, do not hang out with him. (2) The teacher gave us a very ARGEL assignment to do at home.
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A person who works as a street vendor or door to door peddler. (In Paraguay, these sellers are a traditional part of the local economy, often carrying their merchandise in large bundles through various neighborhoods).
street selling: macatero
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A mix of food scraps and leftovers. Figuratively, anything dirty, disgusting, or of very poor quality: total junk or crap.
What you are saying is just a bunch of bazofias.
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Craziness, madness, or a wild and overwhelming situation.
encimas for life
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To warm or heat something up, specifically used to describe sitting in one place for a long time or warming the bench during a sports match.
the chicken was empoyava.
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Socializing and staying active within a group rather than withdrawing from society or being a loner.
There is an emo guy over there by himself, and that is the opposite of comunicacion.
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A group of cranky, superstitious old men whom warriors of the era would consult before going to battle in exchange for some kind of gift.
Like sorcerers living isolated in the mountains.
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A collective term used to describe a group of kids, children, or youngsters (common in Paraguay and the River Plate region).
Two or more gurisada.
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A suck-up or brown-noser: someone who uses excessive flattery or sweet-talk to win favor, usually because they have an ulterior motive.
All the people surrounding Gerardo are real salameros with him because they definitely want something from him.
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Watch out, be careful, or look out. It is used to signal an imminent threat or danger. (Derived from the Guarani word chake, it also carries a connection to the chess term jaque, meaning check).
You say hake when someone needs to act more quickly and logically during a difficult situation or potential danger.
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A common term for a wild party or night out, as well as a joke, prank, or a lie. Depending on the context, it can mean someone is messing with you or that a whole situation is a scam.
Stop telling me I won the lottery because I know it is joda and I am not going to believe you.
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A philosophical doctrine founded by Zeno in Athens that proposed acceptance in the face of suffering, deprivation, and injustice.
Only that which acts or undergoes an action is real, and since only a body can act or suffer.
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Used ironically to describe someone untrustworthy, devious, or a troublemaker that one should be wary of. (In Paraguay, the term flips the standard Spanish meaning of serious or reliable to describe someone who is quite a piece of work or a scammer.)
That person is formal. Is he really that formal: how terrible he is.
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A word from the Guarani language that means ass or buttocks (Guarani is an indigenous language co-official with Spanish in Paraguay and is the source of much of the country's unique slang).
tevi guasu: big ass; tevi ne: stinky ass.
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To get hit, receive a beating, or get smacked, usually as punishment for bad behavior or as a result of a fight. It is a common way to warn someone they are about to be physically disciplined or attacked.
Go put your toys away right now or you are going to ligar for being a brat!
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In Paraguay, this is a common slang term for a pack of cigarettes. It is typically used when asking for tobacco at small neighborhood grocery stores (locally known as despensas).
Hey, grab me the careta of lights I left on top of the fridge.
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A common particle used in Paraguay to turn a statement into a question or to express surprise and disbelief, functioning like adding, Is that right? or Really? to a sentence. It derives from the Guarani word piko and is often shortened to pio in informal speech. (Guarani is an indigenous language that is official and widely spoken in Paraguay).
Is that your new car pico or are you pulling my leg?
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