Peru's all-purpose exclamation of shock, surprise, or disbelief — a softened version of something much stronger. Asu mare comes out when something happens that you didn't see coming: good news, bad news, a wild story, or tripping on the sidewalk in front of everyone.

Mother Earth — the sacred, living force of nature in Andean cosmology. Pachamama is not just a concept; in Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador she is actively honored, thanked, and fed through offerings and rituals. One of the most powerful cultural exports of the Andes.

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.

Friend, acquaintance, or just some guy in Peru — the all-purpose word for a male person in your life or orbit. Pata is casual and flexible: your best friend is your pata, a coworker is your pata, some random dude you know is also your pata. In Peru, every man is someone's pata.