Spanish Slang!

[norcald]

What are some slang words in Spain? I think my friend told "guay" means cool but im not sure if thats it. IF it is how do you pronouce it? is it like "why"? I also heard "vale" was used a lot as ok. I dont know if im wrong though! Does anybody know of any other slang words?

Mitch

[Ben]

Hi norcald and welcome to the forum!

Guay does indeed mean cool and is pronounced as you say, like 'why', and yes, the Spanish use 'vale' all the time for OK.

Another slang word to say something is cool is 'mola'. For example, Lost mola mucho, es mi programa de tele favorita. Or este bar mola mucho, ponen musica super chula.

Chulo is another great word that also means cool (it also means arrogant and pimp!)

Anyone else got any favourite slang words or phrases?

[Edith]

Is pijo (spoiled, rich kid or snob) considered to be slang?

[Pepino]

So "pijo" has a negative implication to it? I always thought it could be used equally for the English word "posh", which has more of a positive air about it (although it depends how you say it I suppose).

I described someone as Pijo the other day (to a third party ;) ), and now I'm wondering if I may have given the wrong impression, as they were anything but spoiled etc, but more just well-spoken, with an air of deportment about them (that I sadly lack!)

[Marbella]

So "pijo" has a negative implication to it?

Only when used snearingly by inverted snobs. If you didn't use it in that context then you were fine.

[Ben]

Is pijo (spoiled, rich kid or snob) considered to be slang?

I don't think so, just a normal word really.

So "pijo" has a negative implication to it? I always thought it could be used equally for the English word "posh", which has more of a positive air about it (although it depends how you say it I suppose).

I described someone as Pijo the other day (to a third party ;) ), and now I'm wondering if I may have given the wrong impression, as they were anything but spoiled etc, but more just well-spoken, with an air of deportment about them (that I sadly lack!)

As Marbella says, Pijo can have very negative connotations but not necessarily, it may depend on the tone of voice.

I wouldn't say it meant spoiled, I would use mimado for that.

[Pepino]

Phew, I thought I was going to have to call them up and clarify things! :D

Thanks for clearing it up guys.

[Edith]

I don't think so, just a normal word really.
As Marbella says, Pijo can have very negative connotations but not necessarily, it may depend on the tone of voice.

Ah, the nuances of Spanish! In Ana y los siete, Nando is jokingly called pijo by his plumber friend Fonty because he wears Lacoste shirts. :D

[antonluque]

If you want to know about spanish slang, you just have to get a copy of the book "From Lost To The River", it was a huge success a long time ago, and it is a compilation of spanish slang expressions and words directly translated to english, for instance...

De perdidos al río From lost to the river
Por si las moscas For if the flies
Compuesto y sin novia Composed and without girlfriend
Salir por piernas Go out by legs
Me la suda It sweats her to me
A otra cosa, mariposa To another thing, butterfly

[Edith]

Can you decipher this?

There was a rotyong called Peter
He sprinkled his bed with a geeter
His father got whoost
Took hold of a knoost
And gave him a pack on his meeter!

[richardksa]

De perdidos al río From lost to the river
Por si las moscas For if the flies
Compuesto y sin novia Composed and without girlfriend
Salir por piernas Go out by legs
Me la suda It sweats her to me
A otra cosa, mariposa To another thing, butterfly

Er! Yes. Well! Apart from the last one, what do they actually mean?? How would you use them?

[Edith]

Er! Yes. Well! Apart from the last one, what do they actually mean?? How would you use them?

I only know what por si las moscas means; it's a synonym of por si acaso (English: just in case). IMO, this is not slang but an idiomatic expression.

Here is some info on the expression 'por si las moscas':


Por si las moscas

Esta expresión es sinónimo de “por si acaso, por lo que pudiera ocurrir” y tiene un claro significado preventivo que, en ocasiones, se acentúa afirmando : “por si las moscas pican” ('desazonan, incomodan, abrasan').
El origen de esta expresión tal vez pueda estar en la leyenda que cuenta que las moscas conocidas con el nombre de "moscas de San Narciso" brotaron repentinamente en 1285 de la tumba de este santo gerundense y atacaron al ejército francés, que al mando de Felipe 'El Atrevido', se disponía a sitiar la ciudad de Gerona. Las famosas moscas levantaron el pánico y contagiaron la peste entre los invasores, quienes tuvieron que levantar el sitio mientras salían espantados.

Source:

http://www.elpelao.com/letras/952.html

[Flexichick]

I like one that I learned in Madrid called "Michelines" (not sure how you spell it).

It's from the ads for Michelin tires and means the fat around your belly (think of the big tire around the cartoon ad).

I'm also very fond of "chonies", which is Mexican (maybe other countries too) slang for female underwear ;D

[sarralucia]

Check out the book Spanish Among Amigos (By Nuria Agullo). My Spanish friends rave about this book. It has slang and conversational expressions found everywhere in Spain. Besides, the material is presented in a fun way that entertains both students and native speakers. Here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Among-Amigos-Conversational-Classroom/dp/0071415149/sr=8-1/qid=1159046992/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9178971-8705639?ie=UTF8&s=books

[Flexichick]

I'll add that one to my list. I literally have about 50 books already, but not this one.

[Janeybee]

Er! Yes. Well! Apart from the last one, what do they actually mean?? How would you use them?


Mi novio told me about this. They are basically proverbs (well-known short sayings, like we would say things like 'a bird in the bush...' or 'cutting off your nose to spite your face') which are used in Spanish which lose all meaning when translated.

'From lost to the river' is basically about how when you're lost in the mountains, look for a trickle of water and follow it until it becomes a stream, until it becomes a river and you'll find your way home. So - from lost, to the river.

It's supposed to be a great book actually - but I think it helps if you're familiar with Spanish proverbs! ;)

Hope that helps Richardksa!

Jane

[jessi330]

I have been wondering about the meaning of "maja". I believe I heard it in a few podcasts.

[dave]

Chulo is another great word that also means cool (it also means arrogant and pimp!)




Interesting....in Puerto Rico this is used to mean 'cute'.

dave

[omeyas]

I have been wondering about the meaning of "maja". I believe I heard it in a few podcasts.


Majo-maja just means cute, good looking, pretty. ¡Hola maja!