To criticize or trash-talk someone for no valid reason, usually out of jealousy or resentment. An anglicism from 'hate' that's completely normalized on social media.

The ride-hailing app service that revolutionized transportation in Latin American cities. It went from being an app name to a verb, everyone 'takes an Uber' now instead of a taxi.

To make someone your number one romantic focus, your main person. Borrowed from gaming culture where your 'main' is the character you always pick, applied to crushes and romantic interest.

A thief, a robber, in Buenos Aires lunfardo, someone who makes their living stealing. Caco is old-school street vocabulary, the word for the kind of skilled thief who operates with purpose rather than impulse.

To act tough or put on a brave front without anything to back it up. Used in Argentina and Cuba. Guapear is all chest-puffing and zero substance: talking big, throwing attitude around, trying to look intimidating, but almost always folding the moment someone actually calls the bluff. The neighborhood tough-guy performance, exposed.

A person with far-right or ultra-conservative political views who opposes social change and gets uncomfortable with diversity. In Chile and Argentina the word carries heavy historical weight tied to military dictatorships, making it especially charged. In Spain it is used more loosely for someone with reactionary politics.

An epic moment in a video game when a single player wins the round or saves the team in an impossible situation. A clutch play makes everyone scream and earns instant legend status.

A visible positive transformation that everyone around you notices, whether physical, emotional, or in personal style. When someone has a glow up, they changed for the better so dramatically that it is impossible not to bring it up. Used widely across Spanish-speaking countries, often after a rough period like a breakup or a tough year.

In football, the defensive midfielder who protects the backline and organizes play from deep. The pivote does the dirty work that lets the more creative players shine. Without a solid pivote, the team struggles against any counterattack.

To build or create items using materials collected in a survival or adventure video game. It's the core mechanic of games like Minecraft and any self-respecting survival game: gather, craft, survive.

A mop in Argentina and Uruguay, the cleaning instrument for scrubbing floors until they shine. The River Plate mop is basically the same thing but with a different name, as usual between countries.

A direct private message on social media, the communication channel where modern relationships are born, business deals happen, and confessions are sent that you'd never say publicly. 'Send me a DM' is the key phrase.

Going at full speed or being bursting with energy and excitement in Argentina and Chile. When someone's going 'a mil,' they don't stop for a second, they're hyperactive and their pace is contagious.

Impudence, boldness, or courage to do something one shouldn't. Having cachete means to do something with confidence and a tough attitude.

A hospital, a medical center for emergencies and illness. Shared across the entire Spanish-speaking world with no regional variation in meaning. In many countries the gap between public and private hospitals is significant in terms of wait times and resources.

To bother, annoy, or get in the way of something. In Spain and Latin America, jorobar is a softer alternative to a stronger word, it means to mess something up or irritate someone, but with a slight sense of resigned frustration.

The play-by-play soccer announcer who describes the match in real time, most famous for screaming "GOOOOOL" for thirty seconds straight until he runs out of breath. In Mexico and across Latin America, the narrador is as iconic as the match itself and sometimes more memorable than the goals.

The everyday Latin American way to ask where a place is. The verb "quedar" here does not mean to stay; it means to be located. It is the phrase you use when you are lost and need real directions, more colloquial than "dónde está."

To joke around, talk in a funny way, or say hilarious things nonstop in Argentina. Someone who cotorrea has great banter, good humor, and the ability to make you laugh about any topic of conversation.

To head toward a place or make your way somewhere in Argentina. It has absolutely nothing to do with rumba or partying, it simply means walking or traveling toward a destination with a clear direction.

Bold confidence mixed with zero filter, the ability to speak or act with total ease and no shame. Across Mexico, Spain, Colombia, and Argentina, desparpajo can be charisma you admire or audacity that makes you cringe, depending entirely on who has it and how they use it.

A ballpoint pen, what the rest of the world calls a pen or bolígrafo. In Argentina, no one says 'bolígrafo', that would sound absurdly formal. You ask for a birome, always, everywhere, from school age until you stop writing things down by hand.

A showoff who exaggerates what they have or what they've done to impress others. In Argentina, Peru, and Uruguay, a farol is that person who acts richer, tougher, or more successful than they really are, putting on a performance for the audience.

A strong exclamation of surprise, anger, or admiration, depending entirely on context. Used in Argentina, Spain, and Uruguay, this expression is the ultimate wildcard: it works equally well for celebrating a last-minute goal or cursing when you lock your keys inside the house. Context is everything.

An organized group of die-hard soccer fans who cheer with nonstop chants, drums, and flags throughout the entire match, similar to European ultras. The barra is the loud, passionate heart of the stadium in Latin America, singing rain or shine, winning or losing.

A killjoy, buzzkill, or snitch in Argentina. The ortiva ruins everyone's fun, rats people out, or acts like a total wet blanket when everyone else is having a good time.

To hitchhike: sticking your thumb out on the side of the road to ask passing cars for a free ride. In Argentina and Uruguay, hacer dedo is totally normal, especially for long stretches on rural highways. Thumbing your way across the country is practically a rite of passage.

To waste time doing absolutely nothing productive in Argentina, procrastination elevated to an art form. Boludear is scrolling your phone, staring at the ceiling, and avoiding responsibilities with mastery.

To roast someone to their face, to publicly humiliate them with a sharp comment. In Argentina and Uruguay, you descansás someone when you embarrass them in front of others, usually with a perfectly timed remark that stings even more because of the audience.

To wish someone the best or send positive energy with genuine intention. It's the modern spiritual support of the Latino world: when you can't do anything else, at least you throw some good vibes and hope it works.