Wally's
     Curtis Draves, Certified Spanish Interpreter and Translator

Wally's Dictionary of Argentine Colloquialism and Culture
A Collaborative Work in Progress C to D
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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
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c
José Luís Cabezas prop photographic journalist for Noticias magazine who was brutally murdered in Pinamar in 1997 while investigating one of Argentina's biggest mafioso businessmen (see Yabrán). The press understandably began a media crusade to bring those responsible to justice, and Cabezas' mug-shot was plastered all over the capital accompanied by the slogan: No se olviden de Cabezas Don't forget Cabezas Note According to Amnesty International, Argentina is one of the world's leaders in violence against the press. The truth is that the very actively independent press does the investigating that the justice system turns its back on, and the subjects of these investigations apparently don't take kindly to publicity. Corruption is a major problem in Argentina, and the Cabezas case remains unsolved (as of Feb. '99). Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme política
cabrearse (lit. to become a goat) to get angry, impatient Click on the Synonym to see it's definition encularse   cabrero n
cagada Use with some caution! n setback, bad luck Click on the Synonym to see it's definition garcha, chotada, guachada LiteClick on the 'Lite' Synonym (euphemism) to see it's definition mala leche   mandarse una cagada Click on the Synonym to see it's definition pifiar LiteClick on the 'Lite' Synonym (euphemism) to see it's definition mandarse un moco
cagando Use with extreme caution!!! adv   1 fast Click on the Synonym to see it's definition a los pedos   2 with some element of rejection, by force: Nos mandamos al otro lado de la ruta con la carpa, y nos sacaron cagando. We took our tent across to the other side of the road, and they kicked our asses out. Click on the Synonym to see it's definition rajar 2
cagar Use with extreme caution!!! v   1 'to shit' defecate LiteClick on the 'Lite' Synonym (euphemism) to see it's definition hacer caca Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme cuerpo   2 'to screw up' make a mistake: Si llueve, cagamos. If it rains, we're screwed. Click on the Synonym to see it's definition pifiar LiteClick on the 'Lite' Synonym (euphemism) to see it's definition sonar   3 vt 'to screw' to maltreat, take advantage of, swindle Click on the Synonym to see it's definition engrupir, coger, garchar   cagar a pedos ( regañar) to tell off, scold Click on the Synonym to see it's definition retar   cagar a trompadas/ patadas/ palos/ golpes ( golpear) 'to beat the shit out of' Note Often used in the same affectionate/informal way as the English, meaning 'I'll get you (for that)'. LiteClick on the 'Lite' Synonym (euphemism) to see it's definition fajar   mandar a cagar Click on the Synonym to see it's definition fletar
cagarse Use with extreme caution!!! v 'to shit in one's pants, shit a brick, be scared shitless'   cagazo n ( miedo) LiteClick on the 'Lite' Synonym (euphemism) to see it's definition julepe   cagón, -na 'scaredy cat' coward   cagarse de 'to die (of)': ~ (la) risa ~ laughter ~ frío/calor cold/heat hambre/sed hunger/thirst embole boredom Vayamos a la mierda, che, me cago de frío. Let's get the hell outta here, man, I'm fuckin' freezing.   cagarse en to not care about sth: Me cago en ellos. I don't give a fuck about them.
carajo Use with extreme caution!!! Most Frequently Used Slang (lit. crow's nest of a ship): Hablar bien no cuesta un carajo, y da beneficio de la puta madre. Speaking good Spanish doesn't fucking hurt, and it's goddamn beneficial.   1 int ( mierda) 'shit!' Click on the Synonym to see it's definition mierda   2 n ( nada): Me importa un carajo. I don't give a damn. No entiendo un carajo. I don't understand a damn thing. hvyClick on the Synonym to see it's definition mierda, sorete LiteClick on the 'Lite' Synonym (euphemism) to see it's definition soto, pito, comino, plomo, pepino Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme nada   irse al carajo Click on the Synonym to see it's definition zarparse   (mandar a algn) al carajo 'tell s.b. to go to hell': ¡Andate al carajo! Go to hell! | Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme puteada
Domingo Cavallo prop former minister of the economy, engineered the law of convertibility which made the Argentine peso roughly equivalent to the American dollar in 1991. Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme política
cebar v to serve mate Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme mate Click on the following for a pop-up box with related cultural or linguistic info mate
chamuyo n   1 'smooth talk, bullshit' persuasive speech, lie Click on the Synonym to see it's definition verso Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme mentir   2 chatter, babble, gibberish Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme hablar   chamuyar chamuyarse 'to scam (on), put the moves on' verbally seduce Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme levante
chancho n ( cerdo)   1 pig, pork See lechón Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme comida   2 ticket inspector on trains or buses Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme transporte   3 boss, supervisor   (querer) la chancha, los veinte y la máquina de hacer chorizos (lit. to want the pig, the 20, and the chorizo machine) 'to have one's cake and eat it too'   ser como chanchos (lit. to be like pigs) 'to be buddy-buddy, thick as thieves'   hacerse el chancho rengo (lit. to act like a lame pig) 'to play the fool' Click on the Synonym to see it's definition hacerse el boludo   la culpa no la tiene el chancho, sino el que le da de comer say (lit. it's not the pig's fault, the person who feeds it is to blame)
chanta ital   1 nmf 'fake, deadbeat' immoral, dishonest, braggart, doesn't pay debts (you get the idea: it's not good) Click on the Synonym to see it's definition trucho Note A shortened form of chantapufi, from the Italian ciantapuffi (lit. nail-chucker).   2 n,adj discouragement, discouraged | Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme persona, mentir
chasco (lit. snap, click, or crack sound) an unexpected, annoying, or bad surprise   llevarse un chasco
chimichurri nm spicy sauce used mainly on a choripan, made with oil and vinegar, garlic, onion, hot pepper, and of course salt Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme asado
chivarse to get angry Click on the Synonym to see it's definition encularse   chivado
chivo (lit. kid / baby goat) 'plug' publicity for a product within a TV or radio show Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme pop   olor a chivo 'b.o.' smell of sweat, body odor   chivar v 'to sweat (like a pig)'   chiva n 'goatee' beard
choripan nm grilled sausage split in half on a french roll, $1 street price, $1.50 ordered to go in a restaurant Note If you're going to eat some junk food and you're in a hurry, I highly recommend a choripan instead of the hotdogs, which are more widely available but much less tasty (although equally thrilling if you wonder what's inside). See chimichurri Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme asado
chorizo n   1 Argentine sausage, usually pork Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme asado   2 penis Click on the Synonym to see it's definition pija Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme masculino   3 thief Click on the Synonym to see it's definition chorro Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme robar
chorro Most Frequently Used Slang n (ladrón lit. drip or stream of liquid) thief Click on the Synonym to see it's definition punga chorear v to rob, steal Click on the Synonym to see it's definition afanar   choreo n robbery, theft | Note All variations are possible with either one 'r' or double 'rr'. The more common of the two is given. Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme crime
colectivo n bus Click on the Synonym to see it's definition bondi Note There are hundreds of bus lines in Buenos Aires, running from downtown to the suburbs, crosstown, or just zig-zagging wildly across the urban landscape. Although it takes some time and patience, I recommend buying a transit map and learning to use it. And always ask for help if you're not sure, 'cause you could end up taking a tour of the province when you least expect it! cualquier colectivo la deja en la puerta (lit. any bus takes her to her door) she's satisfied with any guy, or used to indicate general ambivalence (replacing 'la' with 'te', 'lo', etc.) | Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme transporte
CQC prop (Caiga Quien Caiga) Mario Pergolini's TV show, characterized by witty political commentary, banter, and all manner of ludicrous stunts. Warning, the fast editing and camerawork may give you a headache! See Pergolini Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme pop
croto n   1 (vagabundo) homeless Click on the Synonym to see it's definition linyera   2 badly dressed or without care (like when you run across the street to buy a pack of cigarettes in your sweatpants and holey t-shirt) Click on the Antonym to see it's definition empilcharse | Note Originally the name of a governor of Buenos Aires Province, José Camilo Crotto, who instituted a train service for migrant workers in 1920.
cuatrojos nmf 'four-eyes' person wearing glasses, with the same connotation of geek/nerd   cuatrochi ital | Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme persona
la culpa no la tiene el chancho sino el que le da de comer See chancho
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damajuana n a big glass jug of wine Click on the Antonym to see it's definition garrafa Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme tomar
Alejandro Dolina prop famous for his radio show La Venganza Será Terrible, which has been broadcast live since 1985 from the Café Tortoni (free admission) on Radio Continental AM590, weeknights at midnight, or fridays from Teatro General Alvear, which is taped and shown over the weekend on cable TVA. Also has written a comic opera, musicals, theater, acted in a movie with Maradona, and has a book Crónicas del Ángel Gris. The Garrison Keillor of Argentina. Highly recommended, offers witty satire and intelligent insight on the Argentine culture. Click on the Keyword to see a list of slang related by that idea or theme pop

Last updated 12/5/2005
Copyright Curtis Draves 2005. All rights reserved.