A hearty, comforting stew with meats, vegetables, and legumes typical of Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. It's grandma food that warms your body and soul on cold winter days.

In Argentina and Uruguay, a small corner shop that sells candy, newspapers, cigarettes, and drinks. The neighborhood paradise for kids spending their pocket money. The kiosquero knows everyone and sometimes lets regulars pay later.

A washing machine in Argentina and Uruguay, the appliance you appreciate most when it breaks and you have to wash by hand. The lavarropas is an essential part of adult life nobody prepares you to value.

A small, casual backyard barbecue between friends or family with no big preparations. In Argentina and Uruguay, an "asadito" is the spontaneous, low-key version of the grand asado: just a few coals, a few people, and a relaxed Sunday afternoon around the grill.

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.

An attractive person who dresses well and has a presence that catches everyone's attention. In Argentina it's the standard compliment for someone who looks good, stylish, and can't go unnoticed.

A one-syllable Argentine filler word tacked onto the end of a sentence to signal that you are joking or exaggerating. The quickest way to say "just kidding" in Rioplatense Spanish, and essentially unavoidable in Argentine social media.

To be completely spaced out, mentally somewhere else, not paying any attention to what's happening around you. The person who is "en otra" seems to be living in their own private movie.

To leave a place decisively, to take off without hesitating or looking back. In Argentina and Uruguay, largar has an energy of urgency or relief: you are done here and you are going now.

Small, comfortable, or baby sneakers in Uruguayan Spanish. It's the affectionate diminutive of "championes" (sneakers in UY) and applies both to children's footwear and to lightweight adult sneakers you wear to be comfortable. "Me puse los championitos" means I put on the relaxed sneakers, not the work shoes. An affectionate word, very Uruguayan, with a homey feel.

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 be completely broke, in total financial ruin with no money at all. When you're 'en la olla,' your bank account is at zero and payday feels like a mirage.

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.

Bad luck, bad vibes, or a person bringing misfortune in Uruguayan and Argentinian Spanish. "Ese tipo tiene mufa" means he brings bad luck, the party gets ruined if he comes. The mufa can be situational ("qué mufa este viaje") or personal ("sos una mufa"). Used with humor but with conviction: Rioplatenses half-believe in mufa, even when they deny it to your face.

The hood of a car, the panel covering the engine. You open it when a strange noise starts or the engine overheats, hoping it is nothing serious. In Spain and the Southern Cone it is always "capó"; in Mexico the same part is called "cofre."

In Argentina and Uruguay, a direct head-to-head contest where pride and ego are fully on the line. A pulseada is not a physical fight but a battle of wills: neither side wants to back down, and neither will, no matter how long the standoff drags on.

A rhythmic musical genre from the Rio de la Plata region, born in the 19th century and direct ancestor of the tango. Faster and more upbeat than tango, the milonga is the rhythmic root on which Buenos Aires musical culture was built.

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.

A lie, a blunder, or something that went wrong. In Argentina, 'macana' is when you messed up and there's no going back.

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 child's word for "dad" used in Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay. Small children use tata before graduating to the standard "papá." Warm, tender, and the kind of word adults still remember fondly from when they were little.

Being super hyped, anxious, or uncontrollably excited about something that's about to happen. When you've got manija for something you can't wait, the excitement consumes you and you won't stop talking about it.

Money, cash, funds. The everyday word for money across most of South America, from Argentina to Bolivia. While Spain uses "dinero," much of Latin America just says plata, which literally means "silver."

To snitch, rat someone out, or spill a secret you were supposed to keep. Used in Argentina and Uruguay, often ironically: the person who talks the most about staying quiet is usually the first to chotear.

To reject someone who asks you out or expresses romantic interest. In Argentina and Uruguay, being bochado leaves no room for doubt: the answer is a clear, firm no.

An exclamation of surprise, disbelief, or frustration that comes out when something seems absurd or unbelievable. The gut reaction to something so unexpected your brain can only produce those two words.

Something cool, chill, nice, or a person who's laid back and easy going. In Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay it's used to describe both positive things and people who keep a low profile without creating drama. Telling someone to "quedarse piola" means to stay quiet and not stir things up.

To be completely naked, not a stitch of clothing on. A very direct Rioplatense expression for total nudity, common in Argentina and Uruguay.

A rallying chant fans use to motivate their team when they're losing or need a goal. Literally 'yes we can,' it's the mantra of the Latin American stadium, the chorus that says there's still hope and the scoreboard can still flip. Cesar Chavez also adopted it as a labor rights slogan in the US.

A sweatshirt or comfy athletic wear in Argentina, Chile, and the Southern Cone. It's what you throw on when the only plan for the day is being comfortable regardless of how you look, the garment of honesty.