A person who's extremely good at something, talented and expert in their field. In Chile, being seco is a big compliment, it means you've mastered something to the fullest.

People or traditions from previous generations who resist change and are often opposed to innovation.

To be broke, without resources, in a tight financial situation. In Chile 'andar pato' means being at the economic edge. A duck has nothing, not even bus fare.

To cuss someone out, hurl insults at them, to let loose a merciless barrage of the worst words possible. It's unleashing an endless waterfall of insults that leaves no corner of the other person's dignity intact.

The response time of your internet connection, measured in milliseconds and critical for online gaming. The lower the number the better: anything under 50ms is smooth, once it climbs past 100 you start feeling every delay and losing fights you should have won.

Annoyed, irritated, or in a bad mood in Chile. Someone who is enhuevado has been pushed past their limit and is not hiding it. The intensity varies by context, from mildly fed up to genuinely angry, but either way they are not happy.

To generate massive hype and excitement around something, often more than it actually deserves. When marketing or social media inflate something so much that reality can never compete.

To feel so embarrassed you genuinely wish you could disappear from the planet at that exact moment. Used across the Spanish-speaking world to describe the peak of social embarrassment, when you do not know where to look or what to do with yourself.

An outfit, attire, or complete look for a specific occasion. In Chile, tenida is the word for whatever you're wearing to an event, it implies intention and a put-together look, not just random clothes you threw on.

To mess around, joke, waste time, or goof off. In Chile and Peru it's a multi-purpose word that can mean either bugging someone or doing absolutely nothing productive.

Testicle. This word spawns dozens of expressions: 'tener huevos' (to be brave), 'huevón' (lazy or dumb), 'a huevo' (hell yeah/mandatory). It's the foundation of vulgar Spanish vocabulary.

Something boring, tedious, or that you really can't be bothered to do or listen to. Also a latoso person who's annoying, insistent, and won't stop bugging you or talking when nobody asked.

A payment card, either debit or credit. In Mexico, asking for the terminal to pay with card is normal in most stores and restaurants, although markets, street stalls, and neighborhood taquerías still prefer cash. Always carry both, because half the city runs on plastic and the other half doesn't.

A sports field or court where you play soccer, tennis, basketball, or any sport. Used across all of Latin America. In Argentina, "cancha" also means having real world experience or street smarts, someone with "cancha" has been through it all and knows how to handle any situation.

Chilean slang for someone who is brave, tough, and does not back down under pressure or in a conflict. The word carries a mix of toughness and genuine admiration: calling someone choro is a compliment, recognizing real backbone.

To wish for luck or hope something goes well, accompanied by the gesture of crossing the index finger over the middle finger. Used across the Spanish-speaking world for those moments when you have done everything you can and all that is left is to hope for the best.

A passionate community of fans of an artist, show, game, franchise, or celebrity that organize on social media. Fandoms are powerful cultural forces.

A uniformed police officer in Chile, a member of the Carabineros de Chile, the country's official national police force. When carabineros arrive, things get serious.

To get emotionally stuck on someone, unable to stop thinking about them even when you should move on. It's when someone lives rent-free in your head and you can't evict them no matter how hard you try.

To lose a match you already had in the bag because of a stupid mistake or bad decision. Throwing is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory when nobody else could beat you.

Emotional or behavioral boundaries that one establishes to protect their well-being. The key word in all modern therapy.

A friendly, likeable person who's easy to get along with and you click with instantly. It also describes a situation that gives good vibes and makes you feel comfortable.

To make a massive mistake, royally screw up, or completely ruin something. When someone does something so badly there's no going back and everyone finds out about the disaster.

Fried dough made from squash or pumpkin, eaten with pebre, mustard, or sprinkled with sugar in Chile. They're the perfect craving for rainy, cold days, and no Chilean winter is complete without them.

Dulce de leche in Chile, the exact same thing but with a different name. Manjar goes on everything from bread to cakes, and every Chilean household has a jar in the kitchen.

A neighborhood corner store in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay that sells groceries and everyday essentials. The owner usually knows you by name, may let you buy on credit until payday, and always has what you need. Think of it as the Southern Cone version of a bodega or corner shop.

In Chile, a lot, plenty, or a large quantity, the Chilean equivalent of 'caleta' or 'harto,' widely used among young people to intensify any statement.

When a reply to a tweet or post gets more likes than the original, causing public digital humiliation. To ratio someone is to destroy them online by proving your take has more support than theirs.

Right now, immediately, this instant, no excuses and no delays in Chile. When a Chilean says 'altiro,' they mean it, drop everything and do it NOW.

To aggressively advance as a team toward an enemy position in a video game, going all-in on the attack without looking back. Pushing requires coordination and guts, if it fails, everyone gets wiped.