A cop, a police officer. An informal, generally derogatory term used in Peru and Colombia when you spot the law enforcement authorities and want to warn others, often with a negative connotation towards the police and their presence.

A person from the Caribbean coast in Colombia, Mexico, or Peru, with their warm personality, musical soul, and relaxed tropical attitude. Costeños bring the beach vibes wherever they go.

An expression of amazement meaning something or someone is incredibly good or impressive, like saying "that is insane" or "that is fire" in English. In Chile and Mexico you use it when something blew past all your expectations by a mile. Despite its vulgar origin (literally "they shit it"), it is purely positive.

A large, thick fruit that's cooked fried, roasted, in mole, or in slices across Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. It's not a banana: plátano is for cooking, banana is for eating raw — and that difference is sacred.