A controversial goal where nobody knows for sure if the ball fully crossed the line. Ghost goals spark endless debates, replays, and arguments that can last decades among fans.

Something absolutely wild, intense, or unbelievable in Chile. Used to react to situations that leave you speechless, whether amazingly good or shockingly bad. Like saying "that's insane" but with a Chilean twist.

To reappear in the game after dying, that second chance the match gives you. Some games let you respawn instantly; in others you have to wait, which is pure torture.

In Spanish, a person who falls behind, who doesn't keep up with the pace, progress, or rhythm of the group. The one who consistently trails behind everyone else.

To publicly call someone out on social media and withdraw support from them over something they said or did. The internet version of social justice, though it can easily spiral out of control. Used across Latin America and Spain by anyone plugged into online culture.

To gossip, stir up drama, or talk about other people's business behind their backs. In Chile, 'cahuinear' is the classic behavior of someone who collects secrets and spreads them strategically. The person who cahuinea is never innocent, they always know exactly what they're doing.

An informal way to address a friend or acquaintance in Argentina, Chile, and Peru. It's used constantly between friends no matter the situation, from casual chats to heated arguments.

A hustle-culture mindset of working nonstop toward your goals, borrowed from English and used widely by Spanish-speaking youth. Sometimes admired, sometimes called out as a one-way ticket to burnout.

To publish someone's personal information online without their consent: real name, address, phone number. It's one of the most dangerous forms of digital aggression.

An expression telling someone they spend way too much time glued to the internet, social media, or video games and need to go outside and experience real life. Touch some grass, breathe fresh air, remember the world exists.

A cute, tender nickname used for your partner, best friend, or even a pet. It's pure internet affection condensed into one adorable word.

Cash or money in general, the most universal way Latinos refer to money. It's the word that unites Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and half the continent when talking about what everyone needs.

To accomplish something quickly, often with ease and efficiency.

To barely scrape by, pass by the skin of your teeth, or survive a situation with the minimum possible margin. When you "salís raspando" you made it, but just barely, and everyone knows it was close.

A despicable person, a lowlife, or someone with a terrible reputation. Calling someone a lacra means they're the scum of society, a criminal, a deadbeat, or just an absolutely awful human being.

To strengthen a character or item in a video game through a developer update. The opposite of nerfing, when something becomes more powerful and everyone wants to use it in matches.

Gen Z expression borrowed into Spanish-speaking countries, meaning something radiates the energy or vibe of something specific. When a look, a place, or a moment "gives" something, it powerfully evokes that particular essence or aesthetic.

To create a new low-level account to play against beginners and destroy them easily. It's frowned upon because it ruins the experience for new players.

A Chilean term for hitting a wall emotionally and losing all energy and drive at once. The person who se aplata does not want to talk, go out, or do much of anything for a while. Think of it as fully deflating like a balloon.

An Andean dish of ground corn wrapped in corn husks, steamed or baked. A traditional food from Chile, Argentina, and Peru with indigenous roots, comes in sweet and savory versions.

A person who moves extremely slowly or takes forever to do anything. Across Latin America, calling someone a tortuga means they operate at their own unhurried pace and no amount of rushing will speed them up.

To visualize and attract something positive through thought and intention. Wellness culture popularized by TikTok and Gen Z across the Spanish-speaking world.

Friend, partner, someone you team up with for whatever is going on, from a business venture to just hanging out and goofing off. In Mexico it's used very casually to refer to anyone you have a good vibe with, the way English speakers might say 'partner in crime' or 'my guy.' No formal commitment implied.

To spy or secretly watch what someone's doing, or to snitch on someone to an authority in Chile and Peru. The sapo is the nosy busybody who sticks their nose where it doesn't belong and then runs off to tell what they saw.

A job or work in Chile. 'Finding pega' means getting a job and 'being without pega' means being unemployed. It's the standard Chilean word for employment.

When a program or system unexpectedly closes and stops working without warning. It's the Spanish verb form of the English word "crash," adapted with the "-ear" ending that Spanish speakers love to use when adopting tech terms. The digital nightmare that erases your unsaved work without mercy.

A lot, plenty, or in large quantities in Chile. It's the go-to intensifier that Chileans slap on everything to emphasize abundance.

A Latin music genre born in Puerto Rico that conquered the entire planet and changed the music industry forever. Perreo, dembow beats, and lyrics your mom doesn't approve of but everybody dances to.

To download files, apps, or content from the internet to your device in Latin America. Downloading from the cloud is the everyday act of grabbing music, movies, or apps that fill your storage until nothing else fits.

Secretly, on the down low, or with low intensity, when you want to admit something without making it public. It's the same English word "lowkey" adopted into Spanish slang by Gen Z across Latin America and Spain, used exactly the same way as in English internet culture.