Top 20 Guatemalan Words and Slang Expressions You Should Know (2024)

FAQs

How do Guatemalans say cool? ›

That's right. Like, the many ways of preparing eggs, “huevos” is the most versatile slang word for Guatemalans. “De ahuevo” is “cool”, while the more accentuated “de ahuevisimo” means “super cool”.

Simón. Yes (sí). Despite being longer than the word it signifies, this is the common way to say yes, or to agree with something, in Guatemala.

Vocabulary. There are also many words unique to Central America, for example, chunche or chochadas or babosadas means "thing" or stuff in some places. The words used to describe children (or kids) vary among the countries in Central America; in Guatemala they are often called patojos.

Chapín/Chapina

The “official” Spanish word for a person from Guatemala is Guatemalteco but the term is rarely used outside of textbooks. Instead, Chapín refers to a Guatemalan male and Chapina to a female. María es chapina.

What is Puchica? “PUCHICA” is a Guatemalan slang word that we use every day. However, because of this very merit, it's a little difficult to pin down one concrete definition for it. It's best to merely describe it as an expression of wonderment and/or surprise.

chulo/chula

In Mexican Spanish, chulo/chula is the word you're looking to use if you find something (or someone, but in a kind, non-sexual nor romantic way) really pretty. Use it to compliment a part of someone's outfit or to tell someone you think they look cute today.

Guapo/a. Guapo/a is the direct translation of “good-looking,” “beautiful,” or “handsome.” Although it may be flattering to be called guapo or guapa, many people don't consider this word to be particularly romantic.

Word forms: patojo, patoja. adjective (Latin America) lame. masculine noun/feminine noun (Andes, Central America) (= niño) child.

chimba (a very cool person or thing)

However, it is a word that can be used in many different ways. As a noun, "una chimba" is someone or something very cool. Example: Esa canción es una chimba (That song is very cool (literally "a very cool one"). Alternatively, the word "chimba" can be used as a synonym for "luck."

Noun. cerote m (plural cerotes) (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, vulgar) a turd, excrement synonyms ▲ Synonyms: (Honduras) bojote, cagada, mierda, mojón.

How do you say ice cream in Guatemala? ›

Helado (Ice cream)

Helado is probably the most common word for ice cream in Spanish. It's easily understood in the majority of Spanish-speaking countries and is the base for more elaborate preparations.

Guatemalans are fond of their street food refracciones (snacks), these include tostadas and tamales, steamed cornmeal stuffed with chicken or another bit of meat.

Traditionally, cerote is used offensively; it's like calling someone a loser. It's still commonly used this way in Guatemala, but more recently, it's also been used as a term of endearment when referring to a close (usually male) friend. In this context, it's like calling someone, “dude,” “mate,” or “bro.”

When meeting someone for the first time, it's customary to say, “mucho gusto” (a shortened version of “nice to meet you”). Simply saying “hola” is considered too casual. Other greetings include “buenos días” (good morning), “buenas tardes” (good afternoon), and “buenas noches” (good evening).

What race are Guatemalans? Guatemalans are Latin American people native to Central America. They are also known as the Maya Indians, after their original home in Guatemala.

Originally a second-person plural, Vos came to be used as a more polite second-person singular pronoun to be used among one's familiar friends.

It symbolises power, status, good luck, and eternity. This was exactly the type of jade worn by Maya royalty as well as other high status individuals.

verb (transitive) archaic. to name, give a name to, or mention by name.

(informal) (Latin America) Word forms: cocho, cocha. old. masculine noun/feminine noun. old man/old woman.

maje (Raguileo spelling) paternal uncle. nephew.

What means Pepito? ›

Pepito is a masculine name of Spanish origin, meaning “Jehovah increases.” What was once an adorable pet name has now blossomed into a stand-alone title. Pepito comes from the name Jose, the Hispanic form of the Hebrew Joseph.

mami (plural mamis) (chiefly Latin American, Philippines) mommy, mother. (chiefly Latin American) attractive woman; momma. (chiefly Latin American) a term of affection for a woman.

Chula is often seen in the phrase mami chula, a Spanish form of “hot mama” for a sexy woman. Its male counterpart is papi chulo, for a “ladies' man.” In the late 1990s and early 2000s, chula and mami chula appeared in the the lyrics of songs by a number of prominent Latino rappers, including Christopher Rios.

chica, muchacha; novia; hija.

colocha [f] SV. prostitute.

babe. noun(offensive) attractive woman. bathing beauty. beauty queen. cover girl.

C21: a plural of LOL 'laugh(ing) out loud', an abbreviation commonly used in internet and text-message English.

What does mmk mean? Mmk is a casual, half-humming way to say OK. It is a versatile sound, used to express mild disproval and suspicion … or warm affirmation. Be careful, though, as mmk can come across as a little patronizing or rude.

What does mhm mean? Mhm is a version of mm-hmm, an interjection variously used to express agreement or make an acknowledgment, among other senses. Mhm is especially common in the casual writing of the internet and text-messaging.

“Dar papaya” literally “to give papaya”, is a Colombian saying meaning “don't put yourself in a position where people can easily take advantage of you”.

What does Berraco mean in Spanish? ›

For Difficulty

When applied not to people, but instead to situations and tasks, “berraco” means “very difficult”. For example, “Uy esto está muy berraco hermano” is a way to say “Jesus man, this is really tough!”.

Mexicans use “chale” to express discontent, disappointment, anger, or annoyance. A possible translation in English is: “you're kidding,” but it is not very literal.

curly-haired {adjective}

de pelo rizado {adj.}

In Guatemala, though, it's 'poporopo', while in Panama, it's 'millo' (and even 'popcorn'). Colombians munch on 'crispetas' (or 'maiz pira'), Venezuelans on 'cotufas' (or 'gallitos'). Popcorn is 'canguil' in Ecuador, 'canchita' in Peru and 'pipocas' in Bolivia.

“Utz matiox.” “Oots ma-tee-osh”. Translation: “Thank you very much.”

tetero {m} [Ven.]

..."banano" is used to refer to the fruit in at least Guatemala y Colombia. Banano is common in Costa Rica, and I believe they also use it in El Salvador.

The Tributary Identification Number (NIT) is a personal identification number the owner of the goods must obtain from the Finance Ministry in Guatemala or Superintendencia de Administration Tributaria (SAT). An alternative to the NIT card is the RTU.

1. " before anyone else'", colloquial. bebe {interj.} bae.

Cintas, or hair ribbons, are another part of most Mayan women's traditional dress. Each village has their own style of cinta as well as their unique way of wearing it. How a woman wears her cinta may, in some villages, indicate whether she is married or has children.

How do Guatemalan people talk? ›

In Guatemala, Spanish is spoken by 93% of the population but there are also 22 Mayan languages and other languages - Garífuna and Xinca.

Much more so than English, there is A LOT of linguistic diversity in Spanish. A cubano speaks in a dramatically different style from an ecuatoriano and from a guatemalteco (someone from Guatemala). Guatemalan Spanish is renowned for being one of the clearer accents in the Spanish-speaking world.

When greeting a person from Guatemala, smile and say, “mucho gusto” while shaking hands. This translates as “a pleasure.” Buenos días (good morning), buenas tardes (good afternoon), or buenas noches (good evening) are also proper greetings and gestures of politeness.

ugly fellow, the ~ Noun.

Patojo means “kid”. It's used when talking about a boy. It doesn't have to be a 5 year old. If the person is old, for an example a person in his twenties, they can also be be a patojo.

Chula is Spanish slang for “cute” or “a beautiful woman,” often seen in mami chula (“hottie”).

(countable, slang) Stupid person, fool.

In Spain and the Dominican Republic, Mexico and many other Spanish speaking countries it refers to people (both male and female) who are a negative influence on others, often used as mal bicho ("bad bug"). When applied to children, it can mean one who is misbehaving.

From Turkish peki (“good, well, OK”).

What is a Chelita? ›

chelito (feminine chelita, masculine plural chelitos, feminine plural chelitas) (colloquial, El Salvador) fair-skinned, white, white-skinned.

Chingasos is slang for a beating or going to blows with someone, although it can mean a harsher curse word to some. Graphic T-shirts designed by House of Chingasos.

General. cerota [adj/f] GT HN SV NI derog. despicable (thing or person) Slang.

OTP stands for On the Phone. OTP is an internet slang initialism used to let a message sender know that the recipient is talking on the phone.