Wally's
     Curtis Draves, Certified Spanish Interpreter and Translator

Wally's Dictionary of Argentine Colloquialism and Culture
A Collaborative Work in Progress A to B
keywords  |  index   |  help   |   feedback  |   home  
Thumb Index
a b c d e f g
h i j k l m n
ñ o p q r s t
u v w x y z  
Symbols
For full descriptions see the
anatomy of an entry
Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme Keyword
Most Frequently Used Slang Most Frequent
Use with extreme caution!!! Extreme caution!!!
Use with some caution! Mild cuation
Click on the Synonym to see it's definition Synonym
Click on the 'Lite' Synonym (euphemism) to see it's definition Lite
Click on the Antonym to see it's definition Antonym
See Reference
Click on the following for a pop-up box with related cultural or linguistic info Sidebar
Help
Introduction
Anatomy of an Entry

Argentine Pronunciation
Foreign Pronunciation
Spelling
Verb Tenses
Written Language
Feedback
Contribute a new word or phrase
Suggest a change to a definition
Offer an entertaining example

Broken links and other html problems
Suggest improvement to site design

Offer to help do something Wally hasn't thought of
List of contributors
Sidebars
Facturas
Mate
Re-
Keywords
Thumb Index
a b c d e f g
h i j k l m n
ñ o p q r s t
u v w x y z  
a
afanarMost Frequently Used Slang v (robar) to rob, steal, swindle: Nos afanaron la mesa, che. Man, they stole our table. afano n (robo) ‘rip-off’ Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme shopping | Click on the Synonym to see it's definition chorear Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme crime
aguanteMost Frequently Used Slang nm    1 personal or inner strength   2 to be rebellious or spirited   3 int demonstrates admiration, solidarity, encouragement   tener aguante exp   aguantar Click on the Synonym to see it's definition tener aguante   aguantarse Click on the Synonym to see it's definition bancarse | Note According to Carlos Ulanovsky, this is one of the four defining terms of contemporary Argentine culture. It represents the noble action/quality of maintaining your dignity and individuality in the face of whatever hardship may come your way, although it may stem more from resignation than passion. Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme culture
andá a cantarle a Gardel | See Carlos Gardel
atorrante nm unemployed, homeless person   atorrante, -ta adj not trustworthy, shameless, lazy Click on the Synonym to see it's definition caradura, turro Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme persona   atorranta nf 'slut' prostitute, or woman who sleeps around Click on the Synonym to see it's definition puta Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme prostitución   Atorrantes prop talk show for young people Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme pop | Click on the Synonym to see it's definition croto
atorrar v ( dormir) to sleep Note The urban myth is that sometime around the 30's or 40's men started sleeping in the huge cement pipes that they worked to install by day for the new sewage system. Allegedly the brand name of these pipes was A. Torrant, or something similar. See ir a parar a los caños Click on the Synonym to see it's definition apoliyar Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme dormir
b
bagre nm (lit. a kind of fish)   1 'dog, skank' ugly woman Click on the Synonym to see it's definition bagayo Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme persona   2 stomach Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme cuerpo   3 vagina Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme femenino
bancar v   1 to finance, lend money, pay for: Si no tenés plata para el cine, no te preocupes, yo te la banco la entrada. If you don't have any cash for the movie, don't worry, I'll pay your way.   2 'to put up with' to support, help, tolerate, wait for: Yo te banco hasta las siete, si no llegás me fui. I'll wait for you 'til seven, if you don't make it I'm outta here.   bancarse ( aguantarse) 'to hold on/out, hang on' to bear, withstand, usu. used in negative: No me banco más. I can't stand it anymore.
bandoneón nm instrument similar to the accordion, specific to tango Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme tango
baranda n (lit. railing) bad smell: ¡Qué baranda! What stinks?! How rank! Click on the Synonym to see it's definition tufo Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme malo
bárbaro Most Frequently Used Slang adj (lit. barbarian, uncivilized)   1 very good, great: Está bárbaro. It's totally great. Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme bueno   2 'intense' very strange, surprising, worrying, etc: ¡Qué bárbaro! What a trip! o How intense!   barbaridad n of 2: ¡Qué barbaridad! That's too much!
barra n   1 'bar' counter in a bar/pub/restaurant where drinks are served   2 ( banda, pandilla lit. loaf, of bread) 'gang' of friends, etc. Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme mucho   barra brava loose organization of fans of a fútbol club, often with a bad reputation Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme fútbol
birome® nf ( bolígrafo) ball-point pen Note Any Argentine will tell you that the ball point pen was invented by an Argentine. The original brand name was Biro-Me, from the names of the Argentine inventors. (It's true.) Click on the Synonym to see it's definition lapicera Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme marca
blister nm plastic strip of 10 subway tokens, worth $5 (tokens are $0,50 each so there's no discount) Note Very useful to keep coins straight, especially when you're getting used to unfamiliar money. See ficha Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme transporte
bocha n   1 wooden ball, used in Italian lawn bowling   2 'bunch' a lot: una bocha de a bunch of Click on the Synonym to see it's definition montón, banda Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme mucho   3 head Click on the Synonym to see it's definition bocho Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme cuerpo | See pesado
bocho n   1 lunf head Click on the Synonym to see it's definition sabiola, marote, croqueta Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme cuerpo   2 'brain' smart person Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme persona   hacerse el bocho exp to fantasize, sexually or about wealth, success, etc. Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme sexo
en bolas Use with some caution! exp   1 'buck' naked Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme cuerpo   2 'in the dark, lost' disoriented, to not know what's going on, not understand, without resources or money: Cuando yo llegué a Buenos Aires estaba completamente en bolas. When I arrived in Buenos Aires I was totally lost. quedarse en bolas to not understand | Click on the Synonym to see it's definition en pelotas
boludo Use with some caution! Most Frequently Used Slang n yo 'jerk, sucker, dufus' stupid, gullible, fool Note Used by some young people almost as much (and in the same way) as 'che'. Click on the Synonym to see it's definition pelotudo, huevón, gil Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme lenguaje boludez nf something stupid/foolish, or easy/simple enough for an idiot/fool   boludear v 'to screw around' Click on the Synonym to see it's definition hinchar las pelotas Click on the following for a pop-up box with related cultural or linguistic info joder
bombacha n   1 'panties' female underwear below the belt See lencería Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme femenino 2 baggy wrap-around pants for cowboys, or waiters that dress up for the tourists in cheezy restaurants Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme gaucho | Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme ropa
bombilla n metal straw with a filter in one end for drinking mate Click on the following for a pop-up box with related cultural or linguistic info mate
bombonera n (lit. box of chocolates) soccer stadium of Boca Juniors, in the Boca neighborhood, so named for its shape Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme fútbol
bondi Most Frequently Used Slang nm bus Click on the Synonym to see it's definition colectivo Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme transporte
buscarle la quinta pata al gato exp (lit. to look for the cat's fifth paw) 'to make things complicated' Click on the Synonym to see it's definition buscarle el pelo al huevo Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme persona

Last updated 11/10/2006
Copyright Curtis Draves 2005. All rights reserved.