An affectionate way to refer to your parents or an older person in Colombia. It is one of the most endearing words in Colombian Spanish, used from childhood through adulthood. "Mis cuchos" means "my folks" or "my parents" in the warmest possible way.

To scroll your finger through phone content endlessly, consuming an infinite feed of posts, videos, and memes. It's the modern habit that turns five minutes into five hours.

The Spanish adaptation of internet slang "based": someone who holds their position confidently and says what they think without caring about social approval. When something is "basado" it is genuine, unfiltered, and admirably indifferent to what others think. Used across Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Spain, and Mexico.

In Colombia, a person with bad intentions who acts disloyally or betrays trust when you least expect it. Someone who causes problems or does you dirty from within your own circle.

To drink alcohol heavily and regularly. The phrase is descriptively accurate: whoever "empina el codo" lifts that elbow consistently and without much moderation. Shared across Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela with the same meaning.

To turn your content, audience, or online presence into actual income through platforms, brand deals, or subscriptions. The dream of every creator and the benchmark that proves what you do has real value to others.

A city block in South America. It is the stretch of houses along your street where everyone knows each other, kids play soccer on the sidewalk every afternoon, and neighborhood gossip travels fast. The basic social unit of barrio life in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela.

An expression pointing toward a nearby direction or general area without being overly precise. It is more gesture than exact address, usually accompanied by a nod or wave of the hand. Locals across Latin America use it to guide you somewhere they know by feel rather than by street name.

That bone-deep laziness that makes you completely unable to move or do anything, even when you know you should. Think of it as the Spanish-speaking world's word for peak sloth mode.

To get extremely angry in Colombia and Mexico, reaching a fury level where you can no longer hide or control your rage. When someone se emputa, everyone around them notices and it's best to give them space.

A sharp, clever person who always finds an angle and comes out ahead. In Venezuela and Colombia, a 'bicho' is someone you respect and maybe fear a little, they see opportunities others miss and never get caught out. Cunning without being evil.

That distinct foot stench that hits the whole room the moment someone takes their shoes off. In Colombia and Venezuela, pecueca is the go-to word for this particular offense, and calling it out is basically a public service. No sugar-coating: if someone has pecueca, everybody knows.

To have an intense crush, to be totally smitten and thinking about someone all day long. It's the social media anglicism that young Latinos adopted as a verb for that romantic obsession.

A responsible, reliable, well-behaved woman who does what she is supposed to and stays out of trouble. In Colombia and Central America, being called juiciosa is the highest compliment a parent, teacher, or boss can give you.

A pill or tablet in Colombia and Venezuela, used informally for any capsule whether prescription or recreational. Context usually makes the meaning obvious. Can also describe an extremely attractive person, though the pill meaning is far more common in everyday conversation.

To be completely absorbed or carried away by something, often to the point of losing touch with reality. It can also mean to imagine or fantasize excessively, or to have an intense experience, whether positive or negative. Additionally, it can describe getting lost in thoughts or situations.

A long, repetitive scolding that everyone has already memorized from hearing it so many times. You could recite it word for word before it even ends. Used in Colombia and Venezuela for that same old lecture you know is coming.

Cool, awesome, great, one of the most recognizable Spanish slang words across Venezuela, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia. Chévere is pure Caribbean positivity: when something or someone is chévere, they've got the good vibes, no further explanation needed.

A rude, poorly mannered person who acts without any consideration for others. In Venezuela and Colombia, a "guache" is someone who behaves crudely and disrespectfully in social situations, loud, coarse, and completely indifferent to how they come across.

A natural gift for cooking that makes food taste uniquely good. It is that personal touch you either have or you do not, no recipe can teach it. The grandmother with "el sazón" turns the same ingredients everyone else uses into something nobody can quite replicate. Common across Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.

To go out partying and have a great time until the night runs out or the body gives up. Parrandear is the full commitment to the fiesta: no half measures, no early exits, you are in until the end.

Managing to get by with minimal resources, without any external help, relying on one's own abilities and resourcefulness to overcome challenges and difficulties.

To be really nervous or scared about something you cannot control. Used all over Latin America to describe that anxious, shaky feeling before a big exam, a job interview, or any high-stakes moment. Sometimes used as a warning: "whoever is not ready should be scared."

To talk behind someone's back, spreading gossip while pretending to be discreet. Everyone acts like they are whispering, but everyone ends up hearing it anyway. Common across Spain and Latin America.

Serious trouble or a situation that's burning out of control. In Colombia and Venezuela, "candela" (literally "fire") describes problems that ignite and spread fast. It also refers to a person who stirs up drama wherever they go.

A small plot of land used for farming or rural living, common across Latin America. It might grow staple crops like corn, beans, or avocados, or just serve as a countryside escape from the city. The word has a grounded, modest feel, tied to working the land and self-sufficiency.

Completely broke from day one of the month. In Colombia arrancao is the one counting coins from the start, borrowing from the corner store, and never quite understanding how it happened again.

A silent restriction a social media platform places on your account without warning, severely limiting how many people see your posts. You keep posting as usual but reach almost nobody, and the algorithm never explains why. Especially frustrating because you have no idea it is happening.

Overthinking something so much that you end up convincing yourself of things that probably aren't even true. You spiral inside your own head, usually about what others think of you or how a situation unfolded, with no reality check. Basically: living rent-free in your own brain.

To explode verbally and say exactly what you think with zero filter. Borrowed from English internet slang, it is used when someone snaps and lets it all out, usually after holding it in for too long. Can be a satisfying release or a dramatic scene depending on the situation.