To act like you're the protagonist of a movie and the whole world revolves around you. When someone's being the main character, they live every moment as if cameras are following them with a soundtrack playing.

A violent, destructive shaking of the earth that topples buildings and changes lives. In Chile, which has the strongest earthquakes in history, they're a fact of life everyone prepares for.

Someone who vanishes from your life without warning or explanation, leaves messages on read, and never follows through on plans. The Spanish-language version of "ghosting," used widely in Spain.

A traitor who was bought or bribed to act in someone else's favor. In soccer, it's what fans yell at the referee when he seems to be calling everything in favor of the opposing team, accusing him of having taken money to tilt the scoreline. It's a direct accusation, not just a casual insult.

In Spain, to swipe or steal something quickly and opportunistically when nobody is looking. No confrontation, no violence, just taking advantage of an unguarded moment.

To make a miscalculation or reckless move that worsens everything in an instant. One wrong step can undo months of careful work, and the damage is often harder to repair than the original problem ever was.

To leave a place decisively, to take off without hesitating or looking back. In Argentina and Uruguay, largar has an energy of urgency or relief: you are done here and you are going now.

A sandwich made with a baguette-style bread in Spain, stuffed with ham, tortilla, or whatever you want. It's the quintessential Spanish fast food, perfect for lunch hour.

To do homework in Spain, what the teacher assigns for you to suffer through quietly at home. After enduring class you still have to keep working; life isn't fair.

Spanish slang for catching or busting someone doing something they should not be doing. Once you are pillado, there is no excuse left: the wrongdoing is out in the open for everyone to see.

To flip out, trip, or lose touch with reality in Spain. Fliparse is when someone goes overboard and starts doing or saying things that make no sense, like they're living in their own movie.

Prescription glasses or sunglasses in Spain and Colombia, the accessory that helps you see the world clearly. Frames with lenses that improve your sight or protect you from the sun with personal style.

The hood of a car, the panel covering the engine. You open it when a strange noise starts or the engine overheats, hoping it is nothing serious. In Spain and the Southern Cone it is always "capó"; in Mexico the same part is called "cofre."

A sweet, juicy fruit with velvety skin that Spain calls melocotón and Latin America calls durazno. Perfect for eating fresh in summer, in homemade syrup, or as artisanal jam.

A person who spiritually identifies with an animal and believes they share a deep, innate connection with that creature. It's an internet subculture that blurs the line between identity and spiritual belief.

A carefree, relaxed, or shameless person who doesn't get fazed by anything. Depending on context it can be a compliment (chill person) or a criticism (someone with no shame).

Money. In Spain and Colombia, pasta is the casual, everyday word for cash. It moves the world, never quite stretches far enough, and disappears right before you needed it most.

A major screw-up or monumental blunder that's hard to recover from. Used when someone does something so badly that the consequences are inevitable and extremely difficult to overcome, like a catastrophic mistake with long-lasting repercussions.

Short for 'good game', said at the end of an online match to show sportsmanship. In real life, it's also used sarcastically when something goes completely wrong.

To worry excessively about something, going around in circles until you're mentally drained without actually solving anything. The Spanish art of overcomplicating your life purely through thought, no external help needed.

Money in Spanish slang, especially when you don't have any. Saying 'no tengo pelas' is the most colloquial way in Spain to confess you're flat broke and your bank account is crying.

To have a good time and enjoy yourself, the basic goal of any social plan worth showing up for. Used across Latin America and Spain for trips, parties, or everyday hangouts. When someone asks "¿cómo te la pasaste?" they want to know if you actually had fun.

To exaggerate a minor problem to the point of making it seem like a catastrophic issue, often for dramatic effect.

To be romantically hooked on someone you cannot get out of your head, even when you know you should move on. Your heart stays attached long after your brain has told you it is not going anywhere. Used across Argentina, Chile, Spain, and Mexico for that helpless feeling of still being hung up on someone.

To let your guard down, to relax your emotional defenses and become vulnerable. Used across Spain, Mexico, and Colombia in both romantic and cautionary contexts. Many love stories and betrayals start right at this moment.

An apartment or flat where you live. In Spain nobody says "departamento" like in Latin America, everyone says piso, whether it's a tiny studio or a massive penthouse.

To lend a hand, to help out with something. In Spain, this expression is everywhere, it's the casual, friendly way of offering or asking for help without making it a big deal. A quick assist between people who trust each other.

To share someone else's content on your own profile, while still giving credit to the original creator. It's the act of digital redistribution.

Cyberbullying, harassment and bullying carried out through the internet and social media. Ciberacoso is the Spanish term for online aggression that can follow its victims everywhere, making it impossible to escape.

The car horn you use to warn people or express your frustration in traffic. Honking the claxon is an art form in Latin American cities, one honk means 'move,' three means war.