Obsessively checking someone's social media profiles, whether it's a crush, an ex, or someone you're curious about. An anglicism from 'stalk' that's completely normalized among young people.

To overlook or ignore something, whether by accident or on purpose. When you skip an important detail, miss an instruction, or consciously choose not to address something uncomfortable, you "pass over it." Used widely across Spain, Mexico, and Argentina.

To air someone's dirty laundry, exposing their private secrets or embarrassing past, usually mid-argument or when there is nothing left to lose. Once it's all out in the open, there is no putting it back.

A shameless person who acts with total audacity without caring about consequences or other people's opinions. They push boundaries, take advantage, and somehow never feel an ounce of guilt.

A cheap, stingy person who refuses to spend money on absolutely anything under any circumstance. The one who always goes to the bathroom when the check arrives, forgot their wallet, or asks to split the bill to the exact cent.

An affectionate nickname extremely common between couples, close friends, and family in Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia. It has zero racial connotation, it's pure affection, trust, and love between people who care about each other.

A thin chickpea-flour flatbread from the Río de la Plata, inherited from Genoese Italian immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries. In Uruguay and Argentina fainá is served alongside pizza in any classic pizzeria, cut into triangles and eaten together with the slice. Skipping it is practically a minor cultural betrayal.

Short, casual form of "fin de semana" (weekend) used in Spain, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Because why use three syllables when two will do. The go-to word for those precious two days of freedom everyone starts counting down to from Monday morning.

The person in charge at work who makes the decisions. Also used informally to respectfully address any stranger on the street, the taco guy, the taxi driver, or the mechanic.

In a very critical situation, right on the edge of disaster. When you have water up to your neck, one more thing could sink you completely. The equivalent of "in over your head" or "drowning in problems."

To drink alcohol, knock back some drinks, or booze it up until the night's over in Argentina. It's the most common lunfardo verb for drinking in the context of parties, pre-games, or hangouts with friends.

A woman who has the exact same name as you. Finding your tocaya creates an instant connection, like discovering a name twin you never expected.

Nervous, frightened, or surprised by something unexpected, often with a look of shock or bewilderment. This person may be taken aback and unsure of how to react.

A city block, the urban square of houses or buildings bordered by four streets. It's the basic unit of measuring distance in Latin American cities: 'it's two blocks away.'

The essential phrase for asking how much something costs. Your best friend at a market, street stall, or any place where prices are not posted. Works across all Spanish-speaking countries.

Face or someone's expression. It also describes a person with extreme audacity or nerve who does shameless things without a care in the world.

An ambiguous relationship with no label where two people act like a couple without actually being one. It's modern romantic limbo where you're not dating, not just friends, and nobody knows what to say when asked.

Being relaxed, enjoying the moment without worries or stress. A social media anglicism that describes that zen state of doing nothing and being perfectly happy about it.

Something extremely easy that requires zero effort, or something super cheap that feels practically free. In Mexico, when something is 'tirado,' it's either effortless or an absolute steal.

A rebellious, chaotic, and unapologetically authentic attitude. Popularized by Charli XCX's album, "brat" describes living life on your own terms: messy, confident, and zero apologies for who you are. It spread across Spanish-speaking social media as a personality aesthetic and lifestyle label.

A clingy person who doesn't know how to respect personal space: always hovering, impossible to shake off, and completely blind to social hints. The pegajoso shows up everywhere uninvited and somehow never gets the message.

A bribe or illegal payment made to officials or authorities to get things done or make problems disappear. Corruption's favorite currency, sadly common in many Latin American countries.

A person who watches every penny obsessively and never wants to spend money or share with anyone. The tacaño is the natural enemy of every group outing.

To goof off, waste time, or act in a silly and pointless way without any purpose. In Argentina, pavear is that mode of existing where nothing productive happens, you're just drifting, clowning, and not engaging with anything real.

To know exactly what you want and how to get it, with no doubts or second-guessing. Someone who la tiene clara does not waste time going around in circles. They know where they are headed and they go there.

To pay attention to someone, acknowledge them, or show interest. In Argentina, 'no darle bola' means completely ignoring someone as if they don't exist.

When someone overwhelms you with excessive attention, gifts, and grand declarations of love right from the start. It feels amazing at first but it's actually a manipulation tactic designed to create emotional dependence.

A deception, a scam, or a dishonest move. It comes from 'trucho' and refers to the actual act of doing something fake or in bad faith, a rigged product, a shady deal, a dirty play.

The most effective strategy or characters at the current moment in a competitive game. Playing meta means using whatever works best according to the patch, even if it's not the most fun or creative.

In Argentina, to leave a place abruptly and without ceremony, either being kicked out forcefully or choosing to storm off in high drama. The aggressive, no-turning-back version of making an exit.