To study intensely, to burn the midnight oil with your books until your brain cannot take any more. In Peru, "chancar" is the verb of every university student during exam season, pulling all nighters and cramming everything into one desperate, coffee fueled session.

A bribe or illegal payment made to officials or authorities to get things done or make problems disappear. Corruption's favorite currency, sadly common in many Latin American countries.

An expression of laziness or unwillingness to do something, that anticipated dread that hits you just thinking about the task ahead. It's the universal Latin American complaint when something requires more effort than you want to give.

To pre-game — getting together to drink before heading out to the actual party, like a social warm-up with alcohol. In Argentina, Chile, and Peru, the previa is practically mandatory.