An upper-class woman in Chile who flaunts her status with designer clothes and an air of superiority. It's the feminine version of 'cuico' and is used in a derogatory way.

A stupid, idiotic person with no common sense who does absurd things. It's a direct insult widely used in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile to call out foolishness.

To mentally prepare oneself to face a difficult situation with courage and without complaining. In Latin America, it's a sign of bravery and determination.

To make a mistake or mess up, especially by saying something inappropriate at the worst possible moment. When you screw up unintentionally, everyone notices, and there's no way to unsay what you said.

To keep hovering around someone on social media after they ghosted you, with zero dignity. Watching their stories, liking old photos, but never actually talking to them directly.

A person who's always in a bad mood, negative, and doesn't enjoy absolutely anything in life. They're the one who ruins everyone's plans with their pessimistic attitude and ability to drain the group's energy.

To throw something or get rid of something that's no longer useful. In this sense it's about launching objects through the air or tossing things in the trash.

A dumb person or someone who doesn't understand things no matter how many times you explain. Calling someone burro is a classic since elementary school that never goes out of style, it stings, but we've all heard it.

To not sleep at all during the night. In the Río de la Plata region, not sleeping a wink describes total insomnia, whether due to worries or being too active, with the next day always paying the consequences.

To ask someone to watch over, check on, or keep a casual eye on something for a moment. A common, light request across all Spanish-speaking countries, no deep commitment needed, just a quick glance.

Flat broke, completely out of cash until payday. Used in Peru, Chile, and Bolivia, "misio" is the casual, unapologetic way to say you have hit the financial wall. Not a crisis, just the universal end-of-month condition that everyone gets.

Style, attitude, and the way someone raps with rhythm and personality. Also the natural swagger or charisma someone radiates when they walk, talk, dress, or just exist with effortless confidence.

To host a website, server, or online content so it's accessible and available to everyone on the internet. Without hosting, your website is just files sitting on a computer going nowhere.

Traffic, the flow of vehicles through city streets and avenues. In Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, talking about el transito usually means complaining about the gridlock that turns a fifteen-minute trip into an hour-long ordeal.

To create or share memes on the internet, the modern art of making millions laugh with a clever image and text. It's Gen Z's favorite form of communication for commenting on absolutely everything that happens.

Something low-quality, tacky, cheap, or beneath basic standards in Chile. Calling something rasca is the Chilean seal of disapproval for anything mediocre or trashy.

A clumsy person who trips over their own feet and can't coordinate their body to save their life. Patadura is physical clumsiness at its most relentless, the person who breaks things, bumps into walls, and steps on your feet constantly.

To walk a lot, cover long distances on foot, or roam across a whole area. Can also mean to reject someone or something, like kicking a job offer away when a better one comes along.

No way, absolutely not, forget it. In Chile, "minga" is the most emphatic shutdown possible, a flat refusal with zero room for negotiation. When someone says minga, the conversation is over and no counter-offer is coming.

A state of mental peace and emotional balance that the millennial and Gen Z generations seek. The number one life goal of the 21st century.

To overthink or mentally loop on the same problem without ever reaching a conclusion. Used widely across the Spanish-speaking world, dar vueltas is that unproductive mental spiral that keeps you stuck instead of moving forward.

A hidden stash spot for something valuable or secret. In Chile it also means 'a lot', so 'caleta de plata' could be hidden money or tons of money, depending on the country.

An independent, mysterious man who goes through life his own way without following anyone or seeking approval. Comes from the internet wolf hierarchy and is used as either an ironic or serious compliment depending on context.

A short vertical video on Instagram inspired by TikTok, lasting between 15 and 90 seconds. The format every platform copied because it's addictive, great for viral content, and hooks you instantly.

A classic scam where someone convinces a victim there's a family member or acquaintance in trouble to extract money. The uncle scam is as old as deception itself, and somehow it keeps working.

An administrative division of a city in Chile, similar to a municipality or borough. Each comuna has its own mayor and personality, and where you live says a lot about you.

Bombarding someone with excessive attention, gifts, and sweet words at the start of a relationship to manipulate and control them. When it seems too good to be true, it probably is and comes with hidden intentions.

To be super focused and completely locked in on something, when nothing can pull your attention away. Used in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. When you are enchufado, you are one hundred percent plugged in to what you are doing, as if the outside world stopped existing.

Monthly rent for a home in Chile and Colombia, what others call 'renta' or 'alquiler.' It's the same universal pain of handing over money every month for a roof over your head.

Information that ruins the surprise of a movie, series, or book by revealing key plot points before you experience them yourself. Spoilers are the fastest way to make enemies online.