Street words and phrases used in Perú, with definitions and examples written by their people.
A slang term for drinking alcohol, usually in large amounts during a social gathering or party. It is specifically used when the main goal of the outing is to get drunk with a group of friends.
What time are we meeting to start to pistear? I already bought two cases of beer and they are ice cold.
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Used to refer to the buttocks or the rear end. It is a common, informal term for a person's backside.
Hey, clean your fundillo well because you sat on the dirty grass!
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A short version of the term huevón used in Peruvian slang to call a close friend or refer to some guy. It is a highly versatile word that, depending on the context, can indicate friendship, like dude or man, or label someone as clumsy or an idiot.
Hey weon, hurry up, the bus is passing by and it is going to leave us! (In Peru, a micro is a public transport minibus).
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A Peruvian slang term for someone who is slow, dim-witted, or dense. It describes a person who has a hard time understanding or learning things (literally means cork).
You are such a corcho! I told you three times the meeting was on the second floor and you went to the basement.
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A regional term from the Peruvian Amazon for a young girl from the countryside or a rural background. It is a very affectionate and poetic word, and it is common to hear it in its diminutive form to express tenderness toward a local woman (this term is specific to the jungle region).
That cunumicita with the happy eyes is the one who has had me sighing since I got to town.
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A slang term used to describe someone who is dim-witted, dense, or slow on the uptake. It is very common among Peruvian students to refer to a classmate who cannot grasp the subject matter no matter how much it is explained to them.
My cousin is really corcho when it comes to physics, even with a private tutor he cannot manage to pass the exam.
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Used to describe a particular vibe, situation, or mood, often when it feels strange or unpleasant. It is also used to refer to a drug-induced high or the act of getting high.
Let's just go somewhere else because the nota at this party is getting really heavy.
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A vulgar and direct term used in street slang to refer to the vagina or vulva. It is a very common way to refer to female genitalia in informal or coarse conversation.
That guy is so rude because he spends the whole time talking about the girls' panocha right in the middle of a meeting.
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Used to describe someone with blond or light brown hair. It is common as an affectionate nickname or a simple descriptor for a fair-skinned person within a family or social circle, regardless of their nationality.
Even though his parents have black hair, the little guy turned out gringo like his grandfather.
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A derogatory term used in Peru for transvestites, particularly those working as street sex workers. The word is a mocking reference to the physical transformation they undergo using feminine clothing and heavy makeup. (Avenida Arequipa is a major thoroughfare in Lima known for street sex work in certain sections).
Be careful if you go through that part of Arequipa Avenue, because at this hour you can already see several transformers on the corners.
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A vulgar and aggressive slang term widely used in Peru to refer to having sex. While crude, it is common in informal contexts to describe intercourse, whether vaginal or anal.
That couple went to culear at the hotel around the corner from the club as soon as the party ended.
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A basic piece of clothing, usually cotton with short or long sleeves, that covers the torso. It is the common term in Peru for a T-shirt, known as a camiseta or remera in other Spanish-speaking regions.
I am going to buy a basic white polo at the mall because the one I had is already worn out.
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A t-shirt or basic short-sleeved cotton shirt worn in informal settings. This is the standard Peruvian term for what is known as a camiseta or playera in other Spanish-speaking regions.
Put on a clean polo to go out for lunch, that one is already all sweaty from the heat.
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Peruvian slang used to refer to a woman's boyfriend, partner, or suitor. It is a common and direct way to refer to a romantic partner in informal conversations.
Last week I saw Lucia at the movies getting all lovey-dovey with her machete.
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A common and informal term for pee or urine, used in casual settings to indicate that one needs to use the restroom.
Can you stop at the next gas station? I am dying to do pichi. (In Peru, grifo refers to a gas station).
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A derogatory Peruvian slang term for a rapist or sexual abuser. It carries a heavy social stigma and is commonly used in street and prison contexts (the word is a play on violador, the Spanish word for rapist).
That guy got what he deserved in jail for being a Violin.
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A term used to describe any light-skinned foreigner with Caucasian features, particularly those from the United States, England, or Germany. It is the standard nickname for tourists or residents of Anglo-Saxon or European descent.
Yesterday we ran into a group of gringos at the market who were thrilled to be trying the ceviche.
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Refers to a person who is spaced out, dazed, or acting slow and without wit. It is commonly used for someone who is stunned or fails to quickly notice what is happening around them.
Hey, wake up! You have been totally lelo staring at your phone and you did not even notice we already passed your stop.
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A vulgar Peruvian slang term for a rapist. It is commonly used in street slang and within the prison system to identify individuals who have committed sexual assaults (the term is a play on the first syllables of the word violador).
That guy was marked for life because everyone in the neighborhood knows he is a violin.
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Used to describe someone who chickens out and lacks the guts to speak their mind or face a tough situation. It refers to a spineless person who stays quiet out of pure fear or a lack of balls.
Don't be a mamao and tell your boss once and for all that you deserve that raise, don't just stand there speechless again.
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A wooden frame or litter carried on the shoulders to transport religious statues during traditional processions. It also refers to any manual platform or stretcher used by several people to move heavy objects. (In Peru, these are iconic symbols of religious devotion, most notably used in the massive Lord of Miracles procession).
The faithful gathered early to carry the anda of the town patron during the main procession.
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To bag something, specifically putting items into a plastic bag. This is a common colloquialism in Peru used when shopping at local markets or corner shops (derived from chuspa, a regional word for a bag or sack).
My friend, could you ENCHUSPAR the apples in a separate bag so they do not get crushed?
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Refers to a person who habitually crashes parties or gatherings to eat and drink for free without being invited or contributing money. They are a typical moocher who looks to enjoy the celebration at everyone else's expense, making a habit out of not paying. (Jarana is a Peruvian term for a lively party or celebration).
We had agreed that the barbecue required a contribution, so do not let in that camaron who always shows up empty-handed.
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A common informal term in Peru for a girl or young woman. While it functions as a slang synonym for girl or chick, it directly references the person's short stature and can carry a slightly derogatory tone.
That chata we met at the get-together yesterday seemed really cool to me.
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Used to describe something very cool, great, or high-quality. It is a common way to express that a situation, object, or person makes an excellent impression (in Peru, it is a standard way to say something is awesome or pleasant).
Your new apartment is so chévere, I love the decor!
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A colloquial Peruvian term for a diaper. It refers to the absorbent garment worn by babies to contain their waste (the term is derived from the word culo, meaning butt).
Make sure to pack enough culeros in the bag before heading out with the baby.
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A common slang term meaning to reach sexual climax or ejaculate. It is the most standard way to describe finishing a sexual act in everyday Peruvian speech.
We had just started a little while ago, but the young guy se vino right away.
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To park a vehicle or simply stay put in a specific spot for a while. It also applies when someone settles in a place to wait or hang out without moving.
If you are going to parquear on that corner, watch out because the municipal security patrol (the serenazgo is the local municipal force in Peru) always passes by there asking for ID.
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Refers to a person who acts with total nerve and feels no shame for their bad behavior. It describes a shameless individual who takes advantage of the goodwill of others without remorse.
What a Fresco that neighbor turned out to be! He borrowed tools from me a month ago and now he tells me he never had them.
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A slang term for someone who is cross-eyed. It is used in everyday speech both as a descriptive term and as a common nickname for friends with strabismus.
Hey, virolo, watch where you are going, you almost walked into the pole because you were looking all over the place!
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A slang term for a crowd or a large group of people gathered in one place. It is used to refer to the masses, especially in party settings or social events.
Have you seen how much yal has arrived for today's event?
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Used to describe someone or something very pleasant, attractive, or of high quality. It highlights that a person is charming or that an object looks particularly good and elegant.
The office design turned out so chévere, it looks really modern and stylish!
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A vulgar slang term for the vulva or female genitals. (The word literally refers to a bird's gizzard).
That dress is way too short, be careful when you sit down or you will show your whole molleja.
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In Peru, a heavy cylindrical steel tank used to store cooking gas in homes. It refers to the portable cylinder that delivery workers bring to your house when your fuel runs out (most Peruvian households use these tanks instead of piped utility gas).
It is a good thing we had a spare balon in the patio, because the gas ran out right when I was boiling water for the noodles.
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To pick up odd jobs or side gigs for extra income, usually on a temporary or informal basis (in Peru, these small, informal tasks are known as cachuelos).
I cachueleo on weekends by cleaning the house for some folks.
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Tomorrow (a common redundant expression used in casual speech to mean the next day or at some point in the near future).
No example provided.
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A woman of Andean or mixed-race descent. In everyday speech, it is often used as a pejorative to discriminate against someone based on their social or ethnic background (In Peru, the term is heavily linked to social hierarchy and is frequently used as a slur against those perceived to be from rural or indigenous backgrounds).
That lady is very classist and always calls everyone chola in a derogatory way.
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A guy who knows how to get things done, is always out at parties, or is a smooth talker who knows how to play women.
A Brego who handles the situation.
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An extremely vulgar and direct way to refer to anal sex. It is used in highly crude contexts to indicate that someone has had sex in the ass with another person.
That guy is so rude, he spent the whole meeting telling everyone how he culió the foreign girl last weekend.
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Slang for a girlfriend or boyfriend. It is also used to refer to friends or to describe someone as thin (In Peru, it is the most common way to say girlfriend or boyfriend regardless of their actual weight).
Hey, your Flaca is coming.
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A crappy game with an audience mostly made up of kids under 12, featuring graphics worse than the first GTA and gameplay worse than the original Resident Evil.
Roblox is almost as bad as Free Fire (a mobile game that is very popular in Latin America but often mocked for its low quality).
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The act of a disc jockey mixing tracks and operating sound equipment to work a crowd. It refers to playing music professionally, specifically managing the transitions between songs during a party.
My cousin is going to pinchar at the party this Friday, so good music is guaranteed.
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In Peruvian street slang, these initials are an ironic abbreviation for the phrase Hoy Dios Perdona (Today God forgives). It is a common way for friends to justify getting wild, partying hard, or doing something crazy (the joke is that the acronym usually stands for a common vulgar insult).
I already bought the two cases of beer and the tequila, so get ready because HDP, bro.
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A wild tree that grows in the arid zones and coastal valleys of Peru, characterized by its thorny branches and pods. It is the common name used in various regions of the country for the Acacia macrantha species.
We had to walk carefully through the brush to avoid getting stuck by the thorns of the guarangos.
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To shout or yell loudly.
Stop that vocear, you are making me deaf.
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Used when someone confronts another person directly to put a stop to disrespect or annoying behavior. It involves setting someone straight or telling them off with authority to make it clear that their nonsense will no longer be tolerated.
If that guy keeps making up gossip about my family, I am going to have to find him and give him a good Parche.
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Used to describe counterfeit money, including bills or coins with no legal value. It is the typical street word for calling out fake cash or a forgery.
Hey, check that twenty soles bill they gave you back as change because I think it is chimbo! (Soles are the currency of Peru).
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A derogatory term used for a woman with Andean features or who comes from the highlands. Although it technically refers to someone of mixed indigenous and mestizo heritage, its modern use is heavily charged with racial and social prejudice (in Peru, the sierra or highlands are often culturally linked to indigenous identity and are frequently the target of discrimination).
It is unbelievable that there are still people who use the word chola as an insult to discriminate against others because of their background.
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