Your ride-or-die friend in Peru, the one who always shows up. "Mi choche" means my chosen brother, my closest buddy. Comes from Andean popular speech and settled into Lima slang as one of the most affectionate ways to address a male friend. Alongside "pata" and "causa," it defines the warm, brotherly vibe Peruvians use with each other.

Someone with natural charm and the ability to flirt and win people over just by talking. Derived from internet slang "rizz," a rizzler does not need looks: their personality and way with words does all the work. Used widely across Latin America and Spain.

An extremely skilled person, a total pro or expert at what they do in Peru. Being called a mostro is the highest praise, it means you dominate something at an impressive level.

A mobile street food cart on wheels that rolls through the streets selling all kinds of food. From hot dogs to elotes and esquites, the carrito is the mobile kitchen feeding the people at any hour.

To upload or post content on the internet, social media, or any digital platform. Uploading a photo, video, or file is the everyday act of sharing your life or work with the entire world.

The abbreviation for 'what the f***' expressing surprise, confusion, or total disbelief. It's the universal internet reaction when something makes absolutely no sense.

To share or send a web link to someone. When someone asks you to send them the link to something you saw online, they're asking you to linkear it so they can check it out too.

A tip-off or insider information passed confidentially before something happens. Widely used across Latin America, a pitazo gives you the advantage of knowing before everyone else, whether it is a heads-up about an inspection, a job opening, or any situation where timing matters.

To get someone worked up, to push someone until they lose their patience. Used across Latin America as a warning that someone is reaching their limit and is about to snap.

In Peru, a burst of embarrassment or cringe-worthy awkwardness when a situation exposes you publicly. That moment when you wish the floor would open and swallow you whole. Very common in casual, youthful Peruvian speech.

A girl who has that indefinable magnetic quality that makes everyone want to know her without being able to explain why. She just has it: effortless charm, cool energy, and a presence that turns heads the moment she walks in.

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.

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.

Deep heartbreak, sadness over a love that left and isn't coming back. It went worldwide with Karol G's song and now everyone knows what it means.

The small neighborhood corner store where you can find anything at any hour. It's the lifesaver when the supermarket's closed, you forgot something, and need to grab it within a block's walk.

To have sex. In most of Latin America "coger" is the most direct colloquial verb for the sexual act. Important cultural note: in Spain "coger" is completely innocent and just means "to grab or take," so mixing up registers between regions causes more than a few awkward moments.

In South American soccer, the winger: the player who runs the flanks and creates chances from the sides of the field. A great puntero has the speed and skill to beat defenders and deliver crosses that change a game.

To wash the dirty dishes with water, soap, and a sponge after eating. It's the household chore absolutely nobody wants to do and that generates more family arguments than any other topic at home.

A tiny piece of paper with hidden notes used to cheat on an exam without the teacher noticing. It's the Mexican version of a cheat sheet, a survival tool for the unprepared student.

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).

A sweet cake that's the centerpiece of every celebration in Argentina and other Latin American countries. What Mexico calls 'pastel,' Argentina calls 'torta', same delicious thing, different name.

To blend and crush fruits or food in a blender until smooth. It's the verb behind every smoothie, fruit juice, and salsa that requires turning solid ingredients into liquid deliciousness.

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 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.

A low-rate lawyer who charges cheap fees but always makes things worse rather than better. In Colombia and Peru the tinterillo promises to win your case and ends up burying you in paperwork.

A carbonated, sweetened beverage, what Mexico calls 'refresco.' Gaseosa is the go-to word in Colombia, Argentina, Peru, and most of South America for any fizzy drink.

A music genre and dance originating from the Colombian coast that conquered all of Latin America with its infectious rhythm. Every country has their own version: cumbia villera in Argentina, cumbia sonidera in Mexico.