Street words and phrases used in Venezuela, with definitions and examples written by their people.
Refers to a person with a physical disability in their legs or who walks with a very noticeable limp. It is a colloquial way to describe someone who is physically impaired or has mobility issues.
Ever since that construction accident, the man from the corner store ended up chueco and now walks with great difficulty.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A very common and informal term used in Venezuela to refer to a person's buttocks or backside. It is the standard colloquial word for the rear end in everyday speech.
My rabo hurts from being seated for so many hours on this bus heading to Valencia.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A sharp dig, jab, or indirect remark meant to provoke or mock someone cleverly. It is a sarcastic comment or double entendre used to call someone out or get a reaction in a stinging way (the term literally refers to a sharp point or prick).
Every time we see each other he throws a puya about my ex just to see how I react.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A floor squeegee consisting of a handle and a rubber blade used to push water and dry smooth surfaces. It is an essential tool in Venezuelan homes, used to dry floors after they have been washed with buckets of water or to clean up spills.
Grab the haragan and get all that water off the porch before someone slips.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Describes a stingy person or cheapskate who avoids spending money at all costs and never chips in for shared expenses. It is that person who always has an excuse to avoid opening their wallet. (Note: chamo is a common Venezuelan slang term for guy or dude).
Do not count on Ricardo to chip in for the pizza because that chamo is way too agarrado.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A vulgar slang term for the penis in Venezuela, used in informal contexts to refer to the male anatomy in a crude way (literally, a mandarria is a sledgehammer).
That guy put on shorts so tight you could see his whole mandarria when he sat down.
Automatically translated from Spanish
An extremely vulgar term that literally translates to cocksucker. It is used as a derogatory slur for a person who performs oral sex on men.
Did you see that guy? He is a mamagüevo who spends his time looking for clients in the dark streets of the neighborhood.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A common, informal term used for the penis in everyday Venezuelan speech.
The little kid hit his tonto when he fell off the bike and started crying really hard.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A vulgar and direct term used in Venezuela to refer to a sexual encounter or the act of having sex. It is the common way to describe a quickie or a hookup.
That guy disappeared from the party for a good while because he went to echar un polvo with the girl he just met.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A term for simple, tough footwear, often handmade from old tires or thick leather. They are used for heavy labor in rural areas or out of necessity in low-income neighborhoods (these are traditionally associated with Venezuelan peasant life and farm work).
Stop walking around the yard barefoot and put on those quimbas at least so you do not get your feet dirty.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A traditional term for a fifty-cent coin or amount, which represents exactly half of one bolivar (the bolivar is the national currency of Venezuela).
That candy costs just one real, so check your pocket to see if you have the fifty-cent coin.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A vague physical malaise or a sudden, mysterious ailment with no clear cause. It is used when someone feels under the weather or has a low-grade fever, but they are not sure what is actually wrong with them.
Carlos got a quebranto after dinner and had to go to bed early because he feels really run down.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A slight rise in body temperature that is not quite a full-blown fever. It is that early feeling of being run-down, achy, or feverish before a sickness fully sets in.
I should stay home and rest because I feel a Quebranto and I do not want this flu to get worse.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to a person who is deeply infatuated or feels an excessive romantic attraction to someone. It describes the state of being totally hooked or obsessed with a love interest.
Did you see Ricardo? The guy is super emperrado with the new girl at the office and he won't stop talking about her.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Bolo is a common slang term in Venezuela for the national currency, the bolivar. It is usually used in the plural to refer to any amount of money (derived from the official currency name, which honors the liberator Simon Bolivar).
Hey dude, lend me about ten bolos for the bus fare, I ran out of change.
Automatically translated from Spanish
In Venezuelan Spanish, this refers specifically to Christmas Eve or the celebrations on the night of December 24. It is the central event of the holiday season where families gather for a traditional dinner.
Hurry up with the hallacas (traditional meat-stuffed corn dough wrapped in plantain leaves) because it is almost pascua and we have not even gotten ready for dinner yet.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A piece of junk, a clunker, or a heap. Refers to an object, appliance, or vehicle that is extremely worn out, old, and in deplorable condition, usually to the point of being useless.
It is high time you trash that TV because it is a total tereque and you cannot even see a clear picture anymore.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe any old, useless, or barely functional object that ends up taking up space and getting in the way. It usually refers to piles of stuff kept for no clear reason.
Take advantage of the garbage truck coming to throw away all those tereques you have piled up in the yard.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to the nerve, gall, or shamelessness of someone acting with total cynicism in a situation where they should feel embarrassed. It is the ability to be bold and act as if one has done nothing wrong.
That guy has such cachaza, he shows up two hours late to the meeting and the first thing he does is ask if they already ordered lunch!
Automatically translated from Spanish
In Venezuela, this refers to a birthday cake, but it is also used to describe a massive screw-up. The phrase poner la torta means to mess up badly or ruin something completely.
I can't believe Juan puso la torta again and forgot to bring the keys to the shop.
Automatically translated from Spanish
An affectionate way to address a close friend or trusted companion in everyday Venezuelan speech. It is a variation of the word caballero (gentleman) used to greet or show appreciation to a buddy.
Hey, caballo! Let me know when you get here so I can start lighting the grill.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A homemade ice pop frozen in a small plastic bag tied at the tip to create a cone-like shape. Very common in working-class neighborhoods, they are made with fruit or creamy flavors to help cool off. (The name refers to the shape and the way the corner of the bag is sucked to eat it).
Let's go buy a cookie teta at the neighbor's house, the sun is really beating down today.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A common and informal way to refer to female breasts. It is the most widespread term used in everyday Venezuelan slang for this part of the body.
After she had the kid, my cousin's tetas grew quite a lot.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A term used for a cheeky or bold person who takes excessive liberties without permission. It refers to someone who acts with too much nerve or shamelessness, taking advantage of someone else's hospitality or patience.
What a fresco guy, he walked right into my office and started using the computer without even saying hello.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A vulgar term for the residue of seminal fluids that accumulates on the glans after sexual activity. It is generally used to refer to a lack of hygiene in the male genital area.
Take a quick shower after you are done so the sebillo does not stay stuck on there.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A common vulgar term for a sexual encounter or a screw. It refers to the act of having sex or, sometimes, specifically to ejaculation.
I love that guy, I am dying to have a good polvo with him this weekend.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A term for someone you constantly defeat or dominate in games or competitions. It suggests the loser is your hijo because you own them and they have no chance of winning against you. (Dominoes is a highly competitive social staple in Venezuela where this type of trash talk is common).
Stop challenging me already, I have you as my hijo and I always win every game of dominoes.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A term used in river regions to refer to the pink river dolphin or tonina. It is an aquatic mammal found in the freshwater currents of the Amazon and the plains (the Llanos are vast tropical grasslands spanning the central-western part of the country).
When we went on a trip to the Amazon, we managed to see a bufeo peeking out above the river surface.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A Venezuelan slang term used to describe an intersex person, referring to someone born with both male and female biological characteristics or genitalia.
Back then, the townspeople used to say the baby was manfloro because it was born with both sexes.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A sharp rap or knock on the crown of the head delivered with the knuckles. It is a common physical reprimand used by adults when scolding a child for misbehavior (the term comes from coco, a common slang term for head).
Walk straight and stop jumping around, because if you fall I will give you a cocotazo for not listening.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe someone who is always in a good mood and radiates joy in any situation. It is that enthusiastic and jovial person who cheers everyone up with their positive attitude (in Venezuela, the term refers to the festive and happy spirit of the Christmas season).
Invite Carlos to the party because that guy is a pascua and he always makes us all laugh with his jokes.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe a person or thing that causes deep disgust or physical and moral rejection. It is the perfect term for something stomach-turning or someone with an insufferable, nasty attitude.
That food has a repunante smell, you better throw it away before someone gets sick.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A woman who works as a prostitute or high-end escort, often associated with an expensive lifestyle and plastic surgery. It is a less direct way of saying hooker in casual speech (the term literally means prepaid, like a mobile phone plan).
Everyone in the neighborhood suspects she is a prepago because she has no known job but is always seen in luxury SUVs.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Common term in Venezuela for liquid bleach. It is the standard household disinfectant used for cleaning floors and bathrooms, and for whitening laundry.
Remember to buy a liter of cloro at the corner store (chinito refers to small neighborhood grocery shops often run by the Chinese-Venezuelan community) because we ran out of the stuff we had for mopping the kitchen.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to an audio speaker or a vehicle's horn. It also designates the musical wind instrument, like a bugle, although it is often used as vulgar slang for the penis in double entendres (in Venezuela, 'corneta' is the standard term for a speaker, whereas other regions use 'parlante').
Turn down the volume of that corneta, you're going to drive all the neighbors crazy with that noise.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to a heavy impact or a violent crash, typically used for traffic accidents or nasty falls. It describes a blunt, hard hit caused by a collision or losing control.
That motorcyclist was flying down the main road and had a massive Torta against the SUV that was turning.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Refers to an extremely clingy or annoying person who follows you everywhere and gives you no personal space. It is that individual who sticks to you like a shadow and is very difficult to get rid of.
Your cousin is such a rabo, I could not talk to my girlfriend alone during the entire party because he was glued to us the whole time.
Automatically translated from Spanish
The most common and traditional term used by Venezuelans to refer to money or cash in general. It is used in all contexts to describe available funds or savings (The term originates from the real, a Spanish silver coin used during the colonial period).
I can't go out partying right now because I haven't been paid yet and I don't have a single real on me.
Automatically translated from Spanish
An adjective used to describe something that is top-tier or turned out excellent. It applies to objects, situations, or food that are magnificent or simply unbeatable.
That pabellon criollo (the national dish of rice, beans, shredded beef, and plantains) we ate at the market was famoso, it left my heart happy.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A very common Venezuelan slang term for a woman's breasts. It is used in informal, everyday contexts, ranging from playful to blunt depending on the situation.
That dress looks incredible on her because it really enhances her lolas.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A local name for the dividivi, a wild tree from the legume family very common in arid areas. Its fruit is known for being rich in tannins, historically used to tan leather.
If you walk through the hills, you will see a bunch of guarangos with their branches all twisted by the wind.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A slang term for a tall, striking woman with a powerful or athletic physique. It refers to someone who is statuesque and commands attention due to her height and physical presence (The term is an augmentative of the word for mare, used here as a compliment regarding a woman's stature).
Look at that girl over there, she is a real Caballota and walks with so much style!
Automatically translated from Spanish
A popular Venezuelan term used to refer to money or cash in general. It also specifically describes a coin worth fifty cents, or half a bolivar (the name is a holdover from the Spanish colonial currency).
I do not have even one real on me to buy even a piece of candy at the kiosk.
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe a person with bad intentions, someone capable of betrayal, or something of very poor quality. It identifies someone as a despicable lowlife or indicates that a situation is at its lowest point.
Watch out for that guy because he is a diablo, yesterday they saw him trying to scam the neighbors from the housing block (bloque refers to large urban public housing complexes).
Automatically translated from Spanish
Used to describe when someone treats or pays for another person's bill, especially for food or drinks. It is the act of picking up the tab for someone else as a gesture of generosity.
Relax, buddy, head over to the hot dog stand, I will picho the dinner for you.
Automatically translated from Spanish
To labor, hustle, or struggle persistently through a difficult task or problem until it is resolved. It suggests a high level of grit and effort spent overcoming obstacles to make something work.
I have been bregando with the car engine all morning to see if I can finally get it started.
Automatically translated from Spanish
To treat or pay for a group's meal, drinks, or outing, whether the person offers to do so or is pressured by friends to pick up the tab.
Dude, since you got your bi-weekly paycheck today, you could pichar the beers tonight, don't you think?
Automatically translated from Spanish
A creative variation of the word pana (friend), used to refer to a lifelong brother or an inseparable best friend. It is used in casual settings to emphasize a deep bond of friendship. (Pana is the standard Venezuelan slang for friend).
Talk to me, my panama! What are your plans for this weekend?
Automatically translated from Spanish
Esta página también está en español.
Leer en español
Venezuela