A plastic shopping bag in the Dominican Republic. The everyday word for what other countries call "bolsa" or "jaba." Used for groceries, takeout, anything you need to carry.

Fear, fright, or strong nerves in the Caribbean. Having "culillo" means you're scared or anxious about something that rattles you. Common in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.

A close friend, a trusted buddy you can count on for anything in Venezuela and Ecuador. It's the most common and affectionate way to refer to your people, that inner circle who are basically family.

To cheat on your partner. Used across Spain and Latin America, the "cuernos" (horns) imagery comes from an old European tradition where a betrayed husband was said to grow horns. The betrayal rarely stays secret for long and almost always ends up as the group chat's main topic for weeks.

Someone who has been cheated on, wearing the horns of infidelity. In the Caribbean and Spain, being 'corneado' is the ultimate insult for the person who is the last to know what's happening under their own roof.

To print a document or photo from a device. Printear is the casual Hispanicized version of the English "print," perfectly understood everywhere even if language purists prefer "imprimir." In offices and schools across Latin America, this is the everyday word.

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.

A shameless, scummy person who does bad things without any remorse. In the Caribbean, 'desgraciao' is said with a tone of outrage that says it all.

To work incredibly hard without stopping, to grind like a workhorse. Used in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, "caballar" is a badge of honor describing the kind of relentless effort that gets real results.

A group of friends, the people you hang out with and always have a good time with. In Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, the corillo is your trusted social circle, the ones who are with you through good times and bad.

To believe easily everything someone tells you without questioning, swallowing any lie that's well-packaged.

A mild exclamation of frustration or disappointment when something doesn't go as expected in Mexico. It's a family-friendly euphemism where everyone knows what word you actually wanted to say.

In the Dominican Republic, cool, dope, or good vibes. The word comes from the English "heavy," adapted to Dominican phonetics where the h became a hard j. A quick, casual compliment for anything worth noticing, used by young and old alike on the street and on social media.

To accomplish something quickly, often with ease and efficiency.

A woman who is being provocative, sensual, and uninhibited, especially while dancing reggaetón. In Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic this is not an insult at all, it's more of a compliment describing someone who lets loose and owns their sexuality on the dance floor.

To play dumb, to act like you have no idea what's going on when you clearly do. A classic move to dodge responsibility or sidestep an uncomfortable conversation. Used across Colombia, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.

A security guard or night watchman. Adapted from the English 'watchman', guachimán is widely used in Peru, Ecuador, and other Andean countries, often referring to informal guards at buildings, parking lots, or neighborhoods.

An exclamation of surprise, astonishment, or frustration at something that catches you completely off guard. In Venezuela, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic, "¡Diablo!" is the automatic reaction to unexpected news, whether good or bad.

A Latin music genre born in Puerto Rico that conquered the entire planet and changed the music industry forever. Perreo, dembow beats, and lyrics your mom doesn't approve of but everybody dances to.

A Spanglish verb borrowed from English "to check" and fully conjugated in Spanish. It means to review, verify, or confirm something. One of the most classic examples of how Spanglish absorbs English verbs and Hispanicizes them completely. Common in the US, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean as an everyday word.

An apartment or flat inside a building in Colombia, Venezuela, and the Caribbean. It's the same thing as 'departamento' in Mexico, different word, same concept of vertical living.

A tiny bit or small amount in the Dominican Republic. The island's go-to word when you want just a little of something, said with that easygoing Caribbean softness. Think of it as the Dominican version of "just a smidge" or "a little bit."

To wish for luck or hope something goes well, accompanied by the gesture of crossing the index finger over the middle finger. Used across the Spanish-speaking world for those moments when you have done everything you can and all that is left is to hope for the best.

A strong insult for someone who is treacherous, disloyal, or acts in bad faith, especially by betraying someone's trust. In Spain it can also flip to a term of rough affection between close friends, kind of like calling someone a bastard with a grin.

An affectionate or flirtatious way to address an attractive woman, very common in the Caribbean and Mexico. It has nothing to do with motherhood, it is a compliment that ranges from sweet to intense depending on tone and context.

In a flirty context: attractive, hot, sexy. Nothing to do with money or wealth. When someone says "estás rico/a" with that tone, it is a direct and unambiguous compliment about physical attractiveness. Used across Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.

To air someone's dirty laundry, exposing their private secrets or embarrassing past, usually mid-argument or when there is nothing left to lose. Once it's all out in the open, there is no putting it back.

A naive, clueless person with poor social skills. In the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, a pariguayo is someone who gets fooled easily or acts awkwardly in situations that call for some basic street smarts or common sense.

To dance reggaeton with full intensity and zero inhibitions. Perrear duro is not casual dancing: it means throwing yourself completely into the rhythm, body and soul, without caring who is watching. The pinnacle of urban Caribbean dance culture.

A problem, hassle, or annoying situation that ruins your day. In Venezuela, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic, everything frustrating or complicated gets called a vaina.