To steal, take something that doesn't belong to you, or swindle. The extent of the theft can vary from small to large.

To be extremely thin, visibly underweight to the point where your bones show. In Argentina and Uruguay the phrase describes a stark physical state caused by illness, severe dieting, or hard times.

To fool yourself into thinking everything is fine when the reality is obvious to everyone else. It is that stubborn refusal to face the truth, usually about a relationship, a plan, or a situation that has clearly gone sideways.

A sudden, intense craving for something specific to eat or drink. The feeling hits without warning and is often tied to a mood or a specific moment. In Mexico, "antojos mexicanos" is a whole category of beloved street foods built around this culture of spontaneous cravings.

A person from Córdoba, Argentina, immediately recognizable by their distinctive singsong accent and the habit of adding "-ite" to words where no other Argentine would. Cordobeses have a reputation for being cheerful, talkative, and intensely proud of their city.

A pejorative term in Peru and Argentina for a woman who dresses or acts in a very flashy, over-the-top, or revealing way to draw attention. The word comes from old vaudeville-style revue theater (the "bataclan"), where performers wore scanty costumes, and it spread into everyday speech as a put-down.

A super lazy person, beyond ordinary laziness. A fiacun has elevated doing nothing into an art form. If fiaca is laziness, a fiacun is its undisputed king.

In Argentina and Uruguay, a person with dark skin or very dark hair. From the Quechua "muruch'u" (black corn), and in the Rio de la Plata it is a neutral physical description with no negative weight, similar to how "moreno" is used elsewhere.

A theft or robbery. In Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, choreo is the everyday noun for a steal, anything from a pickpocket on the bus to a more organized heist. Comes from the verb chorear, and the person who does it is a choro.

Cash: physical bills and coins as opposed to paying by card or bank transfer. In Mexico and across Latin America, many small businesses, street stalls, and market vendors only accept cash, so carrying some is always a smart move. Tourists who rely entirely on cards end up missing the best food.

Pineapple in Argentina and Uruguay, the word comes from Guaraní and is the go-to term in the Río de la Plata region. Same fruit, different name from the rest of the Spanish-speaking world.

A man with obvious sexist attitudes who drops misogynistic comments without any filter. A term from Latin American feminism to name the classic unreconstructed macho who has not changed a thing about how he thinks.

The person who is always joking around, teasing, or messing with people. There is no such thing as a serious moment when this person is around.

To squeeze every possible benefit out of something or someone, to make the most of an opportunity without wasting any of it. The person who saca el jugo never leaves value on the table.

A crazy or eccentric person who does things out of the ordinary. Used playfully across Latin America and Spain to describe someone with wild ideas or unpredictable behavior. It is usually lighthearted, more like calling someone a weirdo or a nutcase than actually questioning their sanity.

A person who is uninteresting, lacks personality, and is neither one thing nor the other, often used to describe someone who is bland or unremarkable.

Toxic behavior: the pattern of harmful, draining actions that slowly wear down your energy and wellbeing in a relationship or group. Used widely across Latin America and Spain to call out people or situations that are bad for your mental health.

To be absolutely incredible, mind-blowing, or off the charts in the best way possible. In Argentina and Uruguay, "zarparse" (or "zarpado") means something or someone exceeded every expectation and left you speechless. It's the highest praise you can give.

In Spanish-speaking cultures, to play hard to get, pretending you don't want something in order to be asked multiple times. The social game of withholding consent until sufficiently pursued.

Embarrassment or social discomfort from an awkward situation. In Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay, palta describes that "I want to disappear right now" feeling when something cringe-worthy happens in front of others. The avocado meaning is separate; this is all about secondhand embarrassment.

To drive a vehicle, the standard verb used across Latin America for what Spain calls "conducir." Getting behind the wheel and navigating the traffic, the potholes, and the drivers who seem to have invented their own personal rules of the road.

In Argentina, to go way overboard, exaggerate beyond all reasonable limits, or do something so disproportionate it becomes absurd. The image of "going to the grass" evokes leaving the marked path and wandering into uncontrolled territory. Applies to prices, reactions, amounts, or behavior.

To be abandoned or stood up without warning. From Argentine lunfardo, "amurado" describes the feeling of being left stranded by someone who walked away without explanation or notice. The image comes from being chained to a wall (muro) and left there. It can be literal (left at a meeting point) or emotional (ghosted).

To please someone perfectly by giving them exactly what they wanted or expected. In Argentina and Uruguay, dar en el gusto describes that satisfying moment when you get a choice exactly right, especially with a gift or a decision that really lands.

To face a difficult situation personally, rather than running away or hiding. This phrase is often used to describe someone who takes responsibility and shows courage in the face of adversity.

To work hard and grind through effort, or to root fiercely for someone. In Argentina and Uruguay, cinchar covers both the act of laboring intensely (like a draft animal straining against a harness) and the passionate, unconditional support of a team or person.

Intense fear or extreme nerves, the kind that makes your whole body shake visibly and uncontrollably. When la tembladera hits, your body completely betrays you no matter how hard you try to hide it. Common across Latin America.

In Spain, to be genuinely trustworthy and reliable, a person whose word is their bond and who consistently follows through on what they say. High praise in a culture that values loyalty.

To chat or have a relaxed, friendly conversation without a specific agenda. Used across Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, a "charla" can stretch for hours with no goal beyond the simple pleasure of good company and easy talk.

A fellow fighter, trusted companion, or old friend you share struggles, ideals, or simply everyday life with. In Mexico, Argentina, and Cuba the word carries a quiet sense of loyalty and shared history, sounding more weighty than everyday slang for "friend."