A toxic player in online games: the person who joins just to complain, insults teammates when things go wrong, and reports everyone who does not play the way they demand. The one who makes you want to close the game within ten minutes of playing together.

To be the different or problematic member of a group, usually a family, the one who doesn't fit the expected mold. In the Río de la Plata region, the black sheep isn't always wrong, just different from what everyone else wanted them to be.

Gossip, a rumor, or a scandalous situation in Chile. The 'cagüín' is the story everyone wants to hear even though nobody knows exactly how it started. If there's a cagüín, there's drama.

A thick blanket for protection against the cold in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The southern blanket that wraps you up when the temperature drops suddenly and you don't want to leave bed for anything in the world.

A classic Chilean fresh salsa made with cilantro, onion, green chili, and tomato, dressed with oil and lemon juice. It goes on everything: bread, grilled meat, cazuela stew. No Chilean cookout is complete without it.

A blockhead or dimwit who makes the most basic mistakes over and over, in Spain, Argentina, and Chile. A zoquete is not just clueless once: they are consistently, reliably wrong no matter how patiently you explain things.

A thief, crook, or untrustworthy person with bad intentions. This is the most widespread meaning outside Colombia: someone you shouldn't leave alone with your wallet. In Spain and the Southern Cone, calling someone "pillo" is not a compliment.

An affectionate way to refer to your dad or partner in Argentina, Mexico, and other Latin countries. Calling someone "mi viejo" sounds like you're saying they're ancient, but it's actually pure love and endearment.

The person everyone blames when something goes wrong, the narrative scapegoat of any group conflict. Across Latin America and Spain, ser el malo de la pelicula means being cast as the villain of the story, sometimes just for telling the truth nobody wanted to hear.

To have persistent, chronic bad luck, as if the universe has something personal against you. The person with mala pata always shows up at the wrong place at the worst possible moment.

A naturally bold, charming person who walks into any social situation with ease and is not afraid to start conversations or make moves. In Chile and Argentina, entrador also carries a flirtatious edge: someone who confidently approaches people they are attracted to. The kind of person who knows everyone by the end of the party.

A substitute player who does not start the game but is ready to enter at any moment. Across Spain and Latin America, being a suplente means waiting for your chance on the bench, and sometimes that wait ends with the most important play of the whole match.

In Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile, to be far inferior to someone or something in quality, level, or ability. Used to say someone does not even come close to the standard being compared against.

To be neck-deep in a problem, debt, or overwhelming situation with no easy way out. The more you try to get free, the more it pulls you under. Used widely across Spain and Latin America for work overload, debt, or any situation that has fully taken over your life.

An internet troll: someone who jumps into forums, comment sections, or group chats just to provoke, annoy, and cause drama. They are not looking for a real debate. They want the reaction, the chaos, the meltdown. Used the same way across all Spanish-speaking countries.

To move on from something in the past and keep going without holding a grudge. The emotional equivalent of closing a chapter: you acknowledge what happened and then deliberately leave it behind. Common across Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile.

A shy, bookish, or socially awkward person who comes across as naive and unworldly. Think the kid who always had their nose in a textbook and never really hung out after school. In Chile and Argentina the word can sting a little or feel almost affectionate depending on who says it and how.

To be in your element, doing what you do best and thoroughly enjoying it. When you are en tu salsa, everything flows naturally and effortlessly. Used across Spain and Latin America as the go-to phrase for someone who is completely in their zone.

Mediocre, average, neither good nor bad. The kind of thing that is not worth praising or criticizing with much energy. Borrowed directly from English internet slang and widely used across Spanish-speaking social media.

Feeling down, low-energy, or emotionally deflated. Common in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and Spain to describe a mild but real emotional slump: not a clinical state, just someone who clearly is not at their best right now and needs some time or a bit of cheering up.

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

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.

Killing time doing nothing productive, or messing around and bothering people without a real reason. Used in Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru, hueveo describes that idle, distracted state where absolutely nothing gets done.

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.

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.

In Chile, to persistently flirt with someone who is clearly not interested, ignoring every signal that says no and keep going anyway. The person who jotea refuses to read the room, continuing their pursuit even when the other person has made it obvious they are not interested.

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.

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.