A cheap, stingy person who won't spend a dime even if their life depended on it. In Colombia, calling someone chichipato means they're the type to never chip in for group expenses and always find excuses to avoid paying. It can also describe something of poor quality or not worth the effort.

A boring, low-energy, or mood-killing person who drains the atmosphere wherever they go. An aguado walks into a lively room and the energy visibly drops. They are the human equivalent of flat soda.

A perfect assist that leaves a teammate alone in front of goal to score unopposed. The pase de gol is the art of seeing what nobody else sees and putting the ball exactly where your teammate needs it.

In Colombia, a serious blunder or major screw-up that damages something or brings real consequences. A cagada is that kind of mistake that is very hard to undo.

To shower someone with embarrassingly over-the-top praise and undeserved compliments. The Hispanicized version of "glaze," widely used to call out fans who blindly defend a creator or player.

In Colombia, someone who acts with stealth and hidden motives, doing things discreetly so no one finds out. A solapado seems calm and quiet but is always working angles behind the scenes.

A petty, small-time person who acts important or powerful without having anything real to back it up. In Colombia, a "chichipato" thinks they are in the big leagues when they are clearly not. It also describes things of low quality or little value: a chichipato argument, a chichipato deal.

Short for "get ready with me." A video format where someone gets dressed or does their makeup while chatting with the camera about anything. One of the most popular formats on TikTok across the Spanish-speaking internet.

A ticket or entry pass for an event, concert, game, or any show in Colombia. Buying the boleta is the first exciting step to going to any show and securing your spot.

To be in deep trouble or a hopeless situation with no way out. When you're fried, things have gone so wrong that there's no fixing it, time to accept your fate.

To cut in line or sneak into a place without waiting your turn. It's one of those things everyone hates but some people do shamelessly, ignoring everyone who's been waiting.

A purification ritual using herbs, eggs, incense, or candles to remove negative energy, bad luck, or spiritual illness. Limpias are deeply rooted in Latin American indigenous traditions and folk medicine.

A classic street scam where someone approaches you with a package supposedly full of cash they just "found" and convinces you to put up your own money as a sign of good faith, only to disappear with your real cash while you're left holding worthless paper. It's one of the oldest cons in Latin America.

To face a situation or person head-on without backing down in Colombia. Someone who "frentea" steps up and deals with the problem directly instead of avoiding it.

A very attractive but not-so-bright man who is adored for being sweet and harmless despite his lack of intellect. An affectionate internet stereotype widely used across Spanish-speaking social media.

A diss track made to call out and humiliate another artist publicly. Common in reggaeton, hip-hop, and rap across Latin America, a "tiradera" is the musical version of a street fight: sharp bars, personal attacks, and zero mercy.

A strong seismic event that shakes the earth and everything on it. In countries like Chile and Mexico, earthquakes are a part of life, everyone knows the drill and has a story to tell.

Thousands of pesos in several South American countries where one luca equals a thousand. It's the most informal, quick, and everyday way to talk about prices and money without saying the full numbers.

A trait in someone that's not alarming or attractive, just weird, quirky, or boring in the dating context. It's the gray zone of dating: doesn't make you run like a red flag but doesn't excite you either.

A tangy-sweet tropical fruit that in Mexico transforms into candy, popsicles, agua fresca, chamoy, and sauces of all kinds. Tamarind is an iconic Mexican flavor that shows up in half the candies that exist.

A quick, unplanned spin around an area, a spontaneous outing to see what's going on, with no real commitment. In Colombia, giving a 'voltio' is the perfect excuse to get off the couch without committing to anything.

To be an obsessive fan of someone or something, defending and supporting them with extreme devotion. The Hispanicized form of "stan," widely used in fan communities across Spanish-speaking countries.

In Colombia, to cover up, enable, or turn a blind eye to someone's bad behavior instead of correcting it. To alcahuetear is to make excuses for someone and make their bad habits easier to keep.

A hand-rolled marijuana cigarette, also known as a joint. It's the most universal Spanish word for this type of smoke.

To adopt a street persona or rough, urban edge in Colombia. Ñero refers to working-class urban identity, so acting de ñero means taking on those mannerisms, speech patterns, and attitude, whether you actually grew up in the barrio or not.

A dirty, dishonest, or deeply tasteless action. Calling something a marranada means it was not just wrong, it was low and morally foul. From "marrano" (pig), it implies the kind of behavior that makes decent people cringe. Used in Spain, Mexico, and Colombia.

A go-getter, brave, and tenacious person who doesn't give up against anything or anyone in Colombia. It also describes something difficult or impressive: 'está berraco' can be either a compliment or a warning.

An upper-class, snobbish person who wears designer clothes and thinks they're better than everyone in Colombia. You can tell by the accent, the clothes, the places they hang out, and that superiority complex that annoys everyone.

Small colorful glass balls used in a classic childhood game where players flick them to knock opponents' marbles out of a circle. Playing canicas is a generational tradition across Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela, the kind of game you learned from an older kid in the schoolyard and passed down yourself.

Watching many episodes of a series back-to-back without stopping, the perfect weekend plan. It's the modern way of consuming TV: no waiting, no commercials, just pure binge-watching.