Borrowed from English "on God," used across Spanish-speaking countries to swear that something is completely true. The equivalent of "I swear" or "no joke."

Drama, chaos, a loud messy scene where everyone's yelling and things spiral out of control in Venezuela. It's that situation where people can't stop arguing and fighting until someone calls the cops.

To make the most of a situation, resource, or person. Someone who sabe sacar provecho (knows how to capitalize) never lets a good opportunity go to waste, and can even turn a bad situation into a win.

Borrowed from English slang, meaning "dead serious" or "for real." Used to stress that you're not joking at all. Widely used across Spanish-speaking social media.

When a program, app, or video game glitches and behaves erratically and unexpectedly. Also used for people who get confused, freeze up, or act weird as if their brain just crashed.

A phrase of calm resignation used across Spanish-speaking countries to accept something bad that cannot be changed and move on without overthinking it. Borrowed directly from English.

To make a fool of oneself in public by saying or doing something inappropriate, wrong, or clumsy, resulting in visible embarrassment. It is one of the most universal and unavoidable experiences of human social life.

To get furiously angry, to explode with rage over something that pushed you over the edge. In Venezuela and Central America, when someone se encachimba, everyone notices because their face and voice give it away instantly.

A wooden spinning top with a metal tip that spins when you throw it wrapped in string. It's a classic Latin American toy that requires serious skill to master, real ones can do tricks.

Livestreams on social media where creators broadcast in real time and interact directly with their audience. Across the Spanish-speaking internet, "los lives" are seen as the rawest and most unfiltered side of a creator, far from the polished edited content on their main feed.

An ice pop on a wooden stick, the most refreshing street treat you can buy in Mexico. From fruity to creamy to spicy, paletas come in endless flavors.

A mobile street food cart on wheels that rolls through the streets selling all kinds of food. From hot dogs to elotes and esquites, the carrito is the mobile kitchen feeding the people at any hour.

To upload or post content on the internet, social media, or any digital platform. Uploading a photo, video, or file is the everyday act of sharing your life or work with the entire world.

A party or celebration in Venezuela with music blasting, nonstop dancing, and drinks that keep flowing. When a bonche gets going, the energy is contagious and nobody wants to leave until sunrise.

The abbreviation for 'what the f***' expressing surprise, confusion, or total disbelief. It's the universal internet reaction when something makes absolutely no sense.

A tip-off or insider information passed confidentially before something happens. Widely used across Latin America, a pitazo gives you the advantage of knowing before everyone else, whether it is a heads-up about an inspection, a job opening, or any situation where timing matters.

Fresh or slightly fermented sugarcane juice, typical of tropical regions in Venezuela, Cuba, and Colombia. It's a refreshing, sweet natural drink that tastes like pure Caribbean sunshine.

To get someone worked up, to push someone until they lose their patience. Used across Latin America as a warning that someone is reaching their limit and is about to snap.

A spontaneous exclamation of disgust, revulsion, or intense displeasure at something gross. It escapes you automatically when you see, smell, or taste something that instantly turns your stomach.

To act like you're the protagonist of a movie and the whole world revolves around you. When someone's being the main character, they live every moment as if cameras are following them with a soundtrack playing.

A lot, tons, a huge amount of something in Venezuela, the intensifier that signals there's more of something than you can handle. 'Burda de' pumps up any noun: burda de gente, burda de trabajo, burda de años. It's enthusiastic, colorful, and distinctly Venezuelan.

To have a perfect, fun, and memorable experience that deserves the highest score. When you 'la pasas de diez,' everything went so well you wouldn't change a thing and want to do it again immediately.

To push yourself to the absolute limit physically or mentally, working or studying without holding anything back. Common across Latin America for that full-throttle effort where you leave everything on the table.

A violent, destructive shaking of the earth that topples buildings and changes lives. In Chile, which has the strongest earthquakes in history, they're a fact of life everyone prepares for.

Having a strong and urgent hunger, with a growling stomach, in Venezuela, 'having the tiger' means being extremely hungry.

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.

Deep heartbreak, sadness over a love that left and isn't coming back. It went worldwide with Karol G's song and now everyone knows what it means.

The small neighborhood corner store where you can find anything at any hour. It's the lifesaver when the supermarket's closed, you forgot something, and need to grab it within a block's walk.

A jealous, possessive woman with a fierce temper who controls absolutely everything her partner does. Named after the cuaima, a venomous Venezuelan snake, because her emotional bite is just as lethal.

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.