Slices of green plantain smashed flat and fried twice until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Tostones are a mandatory side dish in the Caribbean, no meal is complete without them.

A deeply affectionate Caribbean endearment for a dark-skinned woman you love. In Cuba and the Dominican Republic, "prieta del alma" combines "prieta" (dark-complexioned, from old Spanish) with "del alma" (of the soul) into a tender, intimate term that celebrates her beauty and her place in your heart. The kind of name a grandmother gives a granddaughter with all the love in the world.

Natural charisma, rhythm, and contagious energy that someone just has. In the Caribbean and Venezuela, when someone has salsa it means they move through life with style, flair, and a magnetic pull that cannot be taught.

A hard hit or heavy blow, physical or figurative, that leaves serious consequences. In the Caribbean it often means a devastating strike to someone's business, reputation, or project: the kind of move that leaves lasting damage. Can also literally mean a hard fall or collision.

To be in serious trouble, deep in a burning situation with no easy way out. In Puerto Rico and the Caribbean estar en candela means things have caught fire, figuratively speaking.

A romantic Dominican music genre with guitar, bongo, and güira that conquers hearts around the world. It's the perfect music for dancing close, declaring love, and feeling the lyrics in your soul.

A festive atmosphere, a party, or a celebratory commotion. When there is bulla, people are gathered, music is playing, and the energy is at its highest. Common across Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Venezuela.

Someone who performs or exaggerates a street or hood identity, adopting the fashion, slang, and attitude of urban marginal culture as part of their persona. Often applied to people who grew up comfortable but present themselves as tough or from the streets.

A party, bash, celebration with loud music and flowing drinks in urban Dominican Spanish. The teteo is the weekend plan: Dominican youth gathered, dembow and reggaeton at full blast, cold beers, and dancing till dawn. The word got popular in Dominican dembow culture and jumped into daily speech. "Nos vamos de teteo" means we're going to a full-blown party.

In the Dominican Republic, a knock or tap on the head with the knuckles, the kind friends give each other or used as school punishment. A well-placed 'chop' will make your head ring for a moment.

An artist or devoted fan of dembow, the Dominican urban genre known for its fast-paced beats. A dembowsero lives the culture: producing it, singing it, or defending it passionately.

In the Dominican Republic, an expression that confirms everything is fine, sorted out, or agreed. The quintessential Dominican "okay," derived from "está todo," it closes any conversation.

A friend group or a fun, lively atmosphere in Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. Tener buen coro means you're hanging with the right crowd and having a great time without any drama.

To dance in a sensual, provocative way to reggaeton beats, or to have a bold, uninhibited attitude. It's the act of letting yourself go in the bellaqueo.

In the Caribbean, a silly trifle: something unimportant, a pointless distraction, or a fight over nothing. Bobería is what you call anything too minor to bother with.

In the Dominican Republic, completely hammered, so drunk you can barely speak or walk straight. The jumagao always has something very important to tell you right at that moment, and none of it makes sense.

A sensual dance to reggaeton or dembow with lots of uninhibited, provocative hip movements. Sandungueo embodies the essence of the lively, vibrant Caribbean party scene.

A monster, but in the best way possible. In the Caribbean, calling someone a monstruo means they're exceptional, a total beast at what they do. It's the highest compliment for talent or skill, said with genuine awe.

In the Dominican Republic, someone who promises a lot and delivers nothing, all talk and no action. A "buchipluma" talks big but vanishes when it's time to actually follow through.

The legendary smack delivered with a flip-flop, the iconic Latin American parenting tool and universal symbol of maternal discipline. The chancletazo transcends borders and generations.

To push forward, to keep going no matter what. A core Caribbean attitude in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Cuba: when things get hard you do not stop, you just echar pa lante. It captures the resilience and refusal to quit that defines the culture.

A mashed boiled green plantain dish that's the quintessential Dominican breakfast. Served with the holy trinity of fried salami, white cheese, and eggs, it's the reason Dominicans actually get out of bed in the morning.

A lie, exaggeration, or tall tale in Dominican Spanish. "Ese es puro bulto" means that's just made up, don't believe a word. Also used to describe a show-off who tells inflated stories: "ese tipo es bulto." The word doesn't imply serious offense, it's more like an affectionate warning between friends not to take seriously what was just said.

Single, without a romantic partner or any commitment. Used in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, suelto describes someone who is unattached and, often, in no rush to change that.

Dominican slang for something being perfectly clear, sorted, and without any issues. "Todo nítido" is the all-clear signal: everything is good, plans are confirmed, no worries needed.

In the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, a big, clumsy, lazy person who does nothing useful and lives comfortably off others without any shame. Think of a giant freeloader who just eats, sleeps, and contributes absolutely nothing.

An incredibly attractive woman who turns heads wherever she goes. In Cuba and the Caribbean, "tremenda" works as the ultimate compliment, making this a supercharged catcall.

A close friend or trusted companion used in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. Calling someone your "pana" means they are real inner-circle people who have your back no questions asked. Not just any friend, a pana is one of your people.

A beach sandal or flip-flop you wear around the house or to the corner store. It's the most casual footwear possible, the shoe equivalent of 'I don't care.'

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.