Surra surra
A colloquial term for a playground slide, commonly used by children.
Daddy, put me on the surra surra, pretty please.
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Tag: niños
Definitions tagged niños in the street dictionary.
PanamáTriki
Means time out. It is used by children to claim safety or a temporary break during games like tag.
A: I caught you, Pablito. B: Noooo, I had called triki, you cheater.
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Sin suán
A term for the swings found in a children's playground. It is a phonetic adaptation of the English phrase swing swang (Panamanian Spanish frequently adopts and adapts English words due to the historical U.S. presence in the Canal Zone).
Mario fell off the sin suán and scraped his knee, and it was all Jorge's fault for not paying attention to him.
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Tatequieto
A slurred version of the phrase estate quieto (stay still). It is used to command children to behave, but also serves as a threat of a sudden smack or physical blow meant to stop someone from acting up.
I am going to give you a tatequieto, Jorge.
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Bombita
Small firecrackers that explode when thrown against a hard surface, commonly used during holiday celebrations (these are small, fuse-less snaps or pop-its).
A: 'I told you not to buy bombitas for the kid, don't you see that stuff is dangerous?' B: 'I just didn't know those things went off against the rubber...'
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Estrellita
A sparkler or handheld firework that emits bright, star-like sparks when lit. It is a traditional item used during Christmas celebrations (In Panama, these are a staple for children to play with during the December holidays).
A: Daddy, will you buy me an estrellita? B: Yes, honey, but you have to share it with your brother.
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Corrinche
Running around in a wild, disorganized way. The term is typically used to describe a group of children playing boisterously or running amok.
A: Because you were in the middle of the corrinche, you fell down. Look how scraped up your knee is. B: Don't squeeze it so hard, grandma, it really hurts.
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Correazo
A lashing or beating given with a belt, typically referring to harsh corporal punishment used by a parent to vent their anger on a child (a traditional form of discipline in many Panamanian households).
A: He brought home his school grades, and they were so bad that I gave him a bunch of correazos. B: Oh, Susana, hitting children out of anger like that is really bad.
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MANDADO
Refers to running an errand for someone else. It is most commonly used by children or teenagers sent by parents, grandparents, or elders to perform small tasks like buying something at the store or delivering a message. (In Venezuela, it is a common social expectation for younger people to handle these chores for their elders).
I will be right back, I am going to do the MANDADO Grandpa told me to do. / What a drag, Mom is starting with her mandados again.
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VenezuelaTRULLA
A little gang or pack of young children, specifically those under the age of twelve.
Selina showed up with her whole TRULLA to play and they ate my birthday cake.
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BoliviaPelada
A term used to address children, ranging from an affectionate nickname to a dismissive label. Among adults, it functions as a familiar term of endearment similar to girl or honey (literally meaning bald, the term originally referred to the thin hair of infants).
Come on pelada, I am taking you to the park. / Give me a call pelada, we need to talk.
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PATALETA
A temper tantrum or a fit thrown by a child or an adult. It describes spoiled, immature, or stubborn behavior expressed through crying, arguing, or rude outbursts when someone does not get their way.
Stop the PATALETA or there will be no ice cream for anyone. / I want my lollipop and I want it now... You will not get anything with that PATALETA.
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Dar cuero
To physically punish someone by hitting them with a leather belt. This phrase is most commonly used by parents as a threat to get children to behave or obey (cuero literally means leather, referring to the belt material).
A: Mom, I do not want to clean my room. B: I told you to clean the room, Juan David. Do not go looking for me to dar cuero.
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bulla
A hell of a racket or an ungodly commotion, usually caused by a group of wild, unruly children.
A: I do not like throwing my kid birthday parties because those school friends of his kick up such a bulla in my house that I feel like taking a stick to all of them. B: Oh, sister, they are just kids. Let them live!
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Palo limpio
To give someone a sound thrashing or a heavy beating. Although the literal meaning refers to a stick, the phrase describes hitting someone hard and is most often used as a warning or a threat of physical discipline.
A: I told you that if you brought home bad grades again I was going to give you a palo limpio. B: Oh, mom, it is just that I do not understand this math...
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Mimir
Means to sleep, used as a cutesy or affectionate way of saying the word, often mimicking how young children speak.
Let's go mimir, it is already late kids. / I do not want to mimir yet, Mom.
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chancletazo
A smack or hit delivered with a flip-flop or sandal, commonly used as a form of discipline or sometimes jokingly (in Venezuela, flip-flops are also known as cotizas).
Look here kid, I am going to give you a chancletazo. / You earned a chancletazo for being so rebellious.
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Birecua
A term for a line or object that is crooked, slanted, or off-kilter when it should be straight.
Honey, that painting you hung on the wall turned out birecuo | Jose, use a ruler, look at how those lines came out all birecuas
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Chacalate
Filthy or muddy water that has turned dark and murky, resembling the color of chocolate (a local variation of the word chocolate).
A: Jose Andres, where did you go play? I put your clothes in the washer and the water turned chacalate from the grime. B: Mom, in Javier's backyard.
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Alexander
A slang term used to refer to any son named after his father, regardless of the actual name, equivalent to calling someone a Junior.
A: We are going to name the baby Wilfredo. B: Oh, no! Another Alexander!
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Reguero
A total mess, clutter, or disaster area; used when things are scattered everywhere and a place is chaotic (literally a trail or spill).
Juan, when are you going to pick up this reguero in the living room? : I do not want to have kids, I do not like living among regueros.
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Verguiza
A severe physical beating or a sound thrashing. It is a vulgar term used to describe a heavy walloping or violent discipline.
If you get grades like that in school again, I will give you a verguiza, Jaime Andres. | I got some good verguizas as a kid, that is why I learned.
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Yapa
A classic brand of candy consisting of sweet, colorful sugar tablets sold in a long paper roll featuring cartoon animals. (It is a ubiquitous, inexpensive treat in Argentina).
Mom, will you buy me a yapa?
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Argentinacoquitera
A homemade slingshot used by kids to hunt small birds or shoot at each other. It is made by stretching a cut balloon over a hair roller or the neck of a plastic bottle, using the rubber's elasticity to fire projectiles. (The name comes from coquitos, the small, hard fruits of the Pindo palm tree which are commonly used as ammo).
When we were kids we used to play war with coquiteras.
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ajetreo
A hectic situation involving a lot of movement or chaos that is difficult to manage: the hustle and bustle, the grind, or a state of being overwhelmed.
Work has me really ajetreada, I have to do a ton of reports by Friday | I do not want to have kids, I cannot imagine myself with that ajetreo, oh, no
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lazo
In the game of marbles, the boundary line that marks the edge of the playing area. (Bolita is a traditional street game played with marbles).
You threw the marble and it went out to the lazo.
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de lazo en lazo
In the game of marbles, the move of shifting the marble from one hand-span position to another to change the shooting angle. (In Argentine marble games, a lazo is a measurement based on the span of the hand).
Hey, going de lazo en lazo is not allowed.
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COCOCHO
A shoulder ride. It refers to carrying someone, typically a child, on one's shoulders.
Come here, climb up, Daddy will carry you COCOCHO.
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bombucha
A water balloon used to play during Carnival celebrations. The goal is to throw them at people to soak them. A bombucha is a larger version of standard small water balloons (in Argentina, it is a tradition to have water fights in the street during the summer Carnival).
I bought some bombuchas at the kiosk so we can play Carnival.
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barrilete
A kite. An object that flies using the force of the wind while held by a string (in Argentina, this is the standard word for a kite, unlike cometa or papalote used in other regions).
Flying the barrilete in this storm will only make you understand that yesterday is not today, that today is today.
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Cómica
Any type of cartoon or animated series shown on television or in cinema. It is the standard term for everything from Western animation to Japanese anime. (Panamanians use this word instead of more formal terms for cartoons, and often refer to anime as Chinese cómicas regardless of its actual origin).
The kid likes the car cómicas : Jaime is grown up now, but he still likes watching those Chinese cómicas
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Churria
Slang for a crushing victory or a total blowout in a sports match or competition.
"They played the final against Barcelona and gave them a churria" or "When are we playing soccer to give you a churria?"
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pedir gancho
To call for a time-out or temporary immunity in children's games like tag, usually while crossing one's fingers. (Mancha is the Argentine name for the game of tag).
- Tag, tag! - Stop, stop, pido gancho!
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QUIÑAR
To strike one marble with another while playing. (This refers to the traditional street game of marbles common in Panama).
Jorge is really good at quiñar, he always beats everyone: If you throw the marble wildly you are not going to quiñar.
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wino
A term used for children, most commonly when they are acting like a brat or being spoiled.
Hey, stop acting like a wino, you are too old for that. / That wino sure is cute. / Stop being so annoying, do not be such a wino!
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Alboroto
A scene of chaos, disorder, or a loud, messy commotion where panic and absurdity take over.
"An alboroto broke out in the house because a frog got in" | "The kids started an alboroto because their mom wouldn't buy them candy"
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Chamita
A term used for a child or as a synonym for a young boy or girl. (It is the most common informal word for kids and teenagers in Venezuela).
You are way too chamita to go to the club. / I really like that chamito. / Let's go watch the chamitos play.
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Revolincho
A chaotic mess or a noisy ruckus caused by a group of mischievous kids or teenagers.
The neighbor's kids started a revolincho at the wedding: I don't like kids because I hate revolinchos.
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Chiquishow
An embarrassing scene or tantrum thrown by an adult who is acting like a spoiled child.
Jose made a chiquishow in the street because he saw me give a friend a hug. If I do not answer his call, he will surely throw a chiquishow when I get home.
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BIRRIA
An informal, often intense match or marathon gaming session with friends or family. It is most commonly used for pickup sports and video games.
'Lucas, there is a soccer birria at my house on Saturday' : 'Want to get a Call of Duty birria going tomorrow?'
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berrinche
1) A temper tantrum or public scene, usually by a small child. 2) A strong, pungent smell of urine.
If you throw a berrinche, I am not bringing you to the store again. | The corner of that bar always smells like berrinche.
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Arropar
1. To have sex with clothes on, often because of a lack of privacy or a sense of urgency. 2. To tuck someone into bed and cover them with blankets.
Since there were people in the house, we had to arropar. | Mommy, will you arropar me and read me a story?
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Venga papito venga
An affectionate phrase used by parents to call their children over. While it literally means little daddy, it is a common term of endearment for boys (in Venezuela, parents often use parental titles like papa, mama, or their diminutives to address their own children as a sign of affection).
Venga papito venga, dinner is served. / Venga papito venga, tell me where you got hurt.
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Bolita
A small glass marble with colors inside, used by children to play the game of the same name.
- Do you want to play bolita?
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Bolita
A marble. A small glass sphere with colors inside that kids use to play the game of the same name.
Do you want to go play bolita?
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Carajito
A kid, child, or brat. (In Venezuela, this is a common informal way to refer to a minor, though it can sometimes sound slightly dismissive depending on the tone).
That carajito misbehaves. Carajitos do not know how to behave.
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Bacinilla
A concave plastic or metal container used by children or people with disabilities to urinate in the bedroom (equivalent to a chamber pot or potty, frequently used in homes where the bathroom is located far from the sleeping area).
Remember to leave the bacinilla in the room for Tomas so he does not get scared to death going to the bathroom alone at night.
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ColombiaSexo
The biological traits that distinguish males from females.
What type of Sexo are you?
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Ecuador