Two cookies sandwiched with dulce de leche and coated in chocolate, the ultimate Argentine and Uruguayan snack. Alfajores are cultural treasures exported worldwide and devoured by the boxful.

To turn someone on, to sexually arouse or attract them, either intentionally or just by existing. Used across Argentina, Uruguay, Mexico, and Spain in a casual and direct way.

A hand-rolled marijuana cigarette with paper in Spain and Argentina. It's the most classic, artisanal way of smoking cannabis, requires practice to roll it properly without wasting anything.

To support, back up, or stand by someone through a tough moment. In Argentina and Uruguay, when someone "te banca," they are fully in your corner no matter what.

To give someone attention or acknowledge them, to show interest in what they say or do. In Argentina and Chile, 'dar cabida' means recognizing someone's existence.

A chronically bitter, grumpy person who finds fault in everything and has no social sweetness whatsoever. In Argentina and Uruguay the word comes directly from the taste: an "amargo" person is missing the basic warmth needed to get along without creating tension.

Feeling down, discouraged, or emotionally at rock bottom with no motivation for anything. That slump where your spirits are in the basement and not even the best plan can pull you back up. Common in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay.

A ballpoint pen in Argentina and Uruguay, named after the brand Birome, invented by Argentine László Bíró. Using this word instantly identifies you as Rioplatense.

A dismissive Rioplatense expression telling someone to get lost, stronger and more contemptuous than a simple "go away." It implies the person is unwanted, has worn out their welcome, and everyone would be happier without them around.

To do something without asking permission or to throw yourself into an action impulsively in Argentina. It's acting first and thinking later, with that confidence that can go great or end in total disaster.

Can mean a lie, a mistake, something done wrong, or bad luck in Argentina and Uruguay. '¡Qué macana!' expresses frustration at an unfortunate event, while 'decir macanas' means talking nonsense.

The color brown in Argentina, Spain, and Chile. It's the neutral, standard term for brown that the rest of the Spanish-speaking world uses while Mexico says 'café.'

A skillful dribble past a defender in South American football, done with style and creativity. It's the art of leaving the defender behind with quick leg and hip movements that earn applause from the crowd.

To scam, deceive, or betray someone in Argentina, doing them dirty and leaving them in an unfair situation. If you got garcado, someone abused your trust and left you dealing with the consequences alone.

An urban bus in Uruguayan and Argentinian Spanish, a basic word of daily transportation vocabulary. "Tomar el bondi" means to take the bus, and "perder el bondi" means missing an opportunity (literal or metaphorical). Comes from old Brazilian Portuguese and fully Rioplatized. A word no Uruguayan or Porteño changes: the bus is the bondi, no debate.

A confident person who acts with ease, experience, and natural self-assurance. In Argentina, the canchero handles any social situation without getting nervous, as if everything came easy to them since birth.

To be completely swamped with work or tangled in a situation so complicated you cannot see the way out. In Argentina and Uruguay, when you are hasta las manos you have so much on your plate you do not even know where to start.

A refrigerator in Argentina and Uruguay, the most important appliance in the house. Opening the heladera and staring into it without grabbing anything is a national pastime.

Someone who chokes under pressure, especially in sports. Literally "cold chest," it describes a player or person who lacks passion and disappears in clutch moments. In Argentine and Uruguayan football culture, calling someone a pecho frío is one of the harshest criticisms, it means they have no heart when it counts. It can also be used outside sports for anyone who does not step up when the stakes are high.

An unfortunate situation, bad luck, or something that goes wrong unexpectedly. In Argentina it's the perfect expression for when the universe works against you.

To show cracks or signs of failure, like a leaky boat taking on water. Used in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile when a project, company, or plan is clearly struggling and heading toward collapse if nobody steps in to fix things.

Clothing or garments in Argentina and Uruguay, especially when referring to nice or good-quality clothes. Showing off your pilchas means dressing well and looking sharp.

To put up with, endure, or tolerate something difficult with patience and without complaining. In Argentina and Uruguay, bancarse is weathering the storm with stoic resilience, knowing it'll eventually pass.

To be completely broke or in a terrible financial situation. It can also refer to something that no longer works or has lost all its energy.

An orphan or a child with no recognized father in Argentina and Uruguay. It can be a heavy insult, a friendly nickname between mates, or just a River Plate way to refer to someone young, all depending on context.

High on marijuana, stoned, unable to react properly or think clearly. It's when the weed hit harder than expected and you're frozen on the couch.

A screenshot in Spain and Argentina, the irrefutable digital proof of what someone wrote, posted, or said. That lethal weapon used in fights and gossip to leave absolutely no room for doubt.

Obsessively overthinking something unnecessarily, overanalyzing until you're stressed for no reason without reaching any conclusion. It's the Latin overthinking that keeps you awake at 3 AM thinking about what you said five years ago.

A stupid, idiotic person with no common sense who does absurd things. It's a direct insult widely used in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile to call out foolishness.

An older woman, usually your mom or any lady of a certain age. In Argentina and Uruguay "jovata" can sound affectionate among friends but might come across as disrespectful with strangers depending on your tone. The word is the feminine form of "jovato," rioplatense slang for an old person.