11 published definitions
A person who is a loser, a chump, or socially inept. It is the go-to label for someone who is slow, gullible, or just plain boring. A pariguayo is a guy who lacks street smarts and always seems to be the one who loses out in any situation.
Juan is in love with Juana, but he is too slow. He never manages to tell her. In that case he acts like a pariguayo. Juan found 2,000 dollars and that pariguayo returned it. He really is a pariguayo!
Automatically translated from Spanish
A person who is foolish, easily teased, or lacks the confidence to approach women. (The term is believed to originate from the English phrase party watcher, used by U.S. Marines during the occupation of the Dominican Republic to describe locals who watched parties from the sidelines without dancing).
At a party full of women: A: Mario, don't be so timid, go pull those girls to dance, can't you see their faces? They are dying for someone to dance with them. B: Man, I am embarrassed, what if she says no, or slaps me, or even worse, she knows me and tells everyone at the university. A: Damn dude, you really are a damn huge Pariguayo, stay sitting there then: you are so good looking that they are going to come to you. You Pariguayo!
Automatically translated from Spanish
Adjective. Used to describe someone who goes to a party but does not dance, instead just standing around watching others enjoy themselves. It refers to a person who is socially awkward, slow, or a wimp. (Cultural note: This term is widely believed to be a Dominican adaptation of the English phrase party watcher, used by U.S. soldiers during the military occupation of the Dominican Republic.)
Look at this pariguayo acting like a fool in love and he won't say a thing to that woman.
Automatically translated from Spanish
In the Dominican Republic, a Pariguayo is a derogatory term for a dork, a loser, or someone totally out of the loop. It describes someone who lacks street smarts, misses obvious opportunities, or is just painfully uncool and basic.
A Pariguayo is that guy who wears thick coke-bottle glasses and fixes the broken frame with tape: the one who parts his hair right down the middle: the guy who gets blamed for every prank at school because he is the one who gets left behind: the one who gets drunk off a single beer: or that guy who is your best friend and likes you but never dares to say anything.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A term for a foolish or dull person who stands in the corner at parties instead of dancing or socializing. It describes someone who does not join in the fun and acts bored or socially overwhelmed (this term is often used in Venezuela and the Caribbean to mock someone for being shy or lacking social confidence).
Go ask that girl to dance and stop acting like a pariguayo in that corner!
Automatically translated from Spanish
A socially awkward, shy, or naive person who lacks street smarts: a dork or a chump. It refers to someone who is timid or foolish, often used for those who do not join in at social gatherings. (In the Dominican Republic, the term is famously, though perhaps inaccurately, linked to a mispronunciation of the English phrase party watcher).
Dominican.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A Pariguayo is a sucker or a square, particularly in social or romantic contexts. It describes a person who tries to buy affection with expensive gifts even when rejected, or someone who pays for everyone at a party but stays on the sidelines without dancing. It also refers to someone who dresses poorly or in an old-fashioned style, or a man who knows he is being cheated on and does nothing about it. (Common in the Caribbean, especially the Dominican Republic, to describe someone who is socially clueless or easily exploited).
He is the young guy who arrives at a party and spends his money on everything while getting nothing in return. The one who dresses like a slob. The Pariguayo who gets cheated on and carries on like nothing happened.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A country bumpkin or a socially awkward person who dresses in an outlandish or tasteless way and lacks social grace.
That guy thinks he is showing off in that multicolored suit, but he is nothing more than a pariguayo.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A fool, a dork, or a wallflower who lacks social skills. (The term is said to come from the English phrase party watcher, referring to colonial-era guards who stood outside parties for hours without joining the fun).
What a Pariguayo, he does not even want to dance!
Automatically translated from Spanish
A socially awkward person, a fool, or someone who is boring and slow. The term is said to come from the English phrase 'party watcher', describing someone who goes to a party but only watches without interacting. It often refers to a man who is too timid to make a move on a woman he likes, even if she is dropping hints or they are sharing a bed. (Folk etymology in the Dominican Republic often attributes this term to U.S. soldiers who just watched locals during parties).
Maria likes Pedro, and Pedro likes Maria too, but he does not dare to say anything to her. Pedro is a pariguayo.
Automatically translated from Spanish
A term for a socially awkward person, a fool, or a pushover. It reportedly originated during the 1916 US occupation of the Dominican Republic: American soldiers only allowed women into parties, forcing local men to stay at the doors and watch. This led to the English phrase party watcher being adapted into Spanish.
Automatically translated from Spanish
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