A woman with spiritual powers who connects with the spirit world to heal, guide, or protect. She's a respected figure in indigenous cultures throughout Latin America.

To subscribe to someone's social media profile in order to view their content. The basic gesture of digital approval.

To have real-life experience, street smarts, and practical knowledge you can't learn in any school, only by living. Someone with calle knows how to move, how to talk, and how to get out of any situation.

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.

In Colombia, to hustle and find ways to make ends meet using whatever resources you have, especially when there is no formal job available. Rebuscarse is the backbone of Colombia's informal economy: selling things online, doing odd jobs, getting creative. It describes an attitude of resilience and resourcefulness in the face of hardship.

To drink alcohol, the most visual expression for knocking back drinks. The image is perfect: raising your elbow to pour the drink in, and whoever empina el codo too much is the official drunk at every gathering.

In Colombia and Venezuela, to refuse to be fooled or taken in by stories and excuses. Someone who "no come cuento" has probably been burned before and will not accept anything without solid proof. They are sharp, skeptical, and very hard to manipulate.

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.

A wildcard word that means things, stuff, or belongings. In Venezuela, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic it replaces basically any noun when you can't think of the right word.

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.

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.

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.

In Colombia, an insulting word for an unattractive woman. It is blunt and derogatory, used mostly among men to talk disparagingly about someone's looks. Definitely not something you would say to anyone's face unless you are looking for trouble.

The workplace disease of solving every problem by calling a meeting, most of which produce no real decisions or results. The most recognizable symptom: each meeting ends by scheduling another meeting to discuss what was not resolved in the first one.

To hang out with friends, do something together, or just chill. In Colombia, parchar is the perfect plan when there's no plan, just getting together.

Noisy, uncontrolled fun, a rowdy good time where everyone's laughing, messing around, and the chaos is the point. In Colombia, recocha is the energy of a group that's let loose completely and is enjoying every chaotic second.

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.

Nothing, zilch, zero. Used in Colombia when something promised or expected simply did not materialize. "Hacer la mamola" means leaving someone empty-handed after raising their expectations. It dismisses a request or result with firm, sometimes comic, finality.

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 dummy, a fool, someone who doesn't get the obvious and makes poor decisions. In Colombia, calling someone toche is a direct insult to their intelligence, not violent, but definitively dismissive.

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.