A fermented corn drink of ancient Andean origin that existed long before colonization. Each country makes it differently, in some it's alcoholic, in others it's sweet, but it always has indigenous roots.

Food in general, any kind of grub. In Venezuela, Colombia, and Puerto Rico, jama is the most direct way of saying you need to eat something right now.

A pig in Mexico, or a dirty, unhygienic person who doesn't take care of their personal cleanliness or space. The adjective your mom would throw at you with a scolding tone if you didn't shower or clean your room.

A professional driver or someone who drives a vehicle for others as a job or by habit. In many countries it's also used informally for the friend who always drives when going out to party or on road trips.

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.

A creamy, nutritious green fruit that's the base of guacamole and a staple of Mexican cuisine. Avocado toast made it trendy worldwide, but Latin Americans have been eating it with everything for centuries.

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 direct expression for telling someone you're romantically or physically attracted to them, equivalent to 'I like you' in English. It's the first big step in confessing interest, before going as far as 'te quiero' (I care about you) or 'te amo' (I love you). Saying it out loud takes guts.

A person who takes things way too seriously and exaggerates all their emotional reactions without control. The one who turns a tiny drama into a three-season telenovela complete with screaming and tears.

The ultimate Venezuelan wildcard word that can mean literally anything: an object, a situation, a problem, or something whose name you just can't remember. It's so flexible that entire conversations can revolve around it without anyone batting an eye.

A cute, youthful, deliberately cheesy version of 'hola' used in texts and social media. It softens any conversation and is perfect for breaking the ice without sounding too serious.

Someone visibly pouting or making an angry face, showing their displeasure through expression without saying a word. Used across Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Caribbean when someone sulks with a pouty face after not getting what they wanted.

Someone with naturally prominent or thick lips. Used as a physical description across Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Caribbean, sometimes as gentle teasing but often just neutrally descriptive.

To act like a snake, making underhanded moves and betraying people behind their backs. In Colombia and Venezuela, "culebriar" describes the ongoing behavior of someone who smiles to your face while scheming against you. The damage only surfaces after it is already done.

A person who fell into a trap or was caught off guard in a way that they couldn't avoid the situation. In Colombia and Venezuela, getting emboscado means finding yourself trapped in something with no way out that you didn't see coming.

Shaved ice topped with brightly colored flavored syrups sold on the street, a refreshing lifesaver during scorching Latin American summers. The raspado cart is a childhood memory for millions.

A thick, sweet corn pancake made from fresh grated corn, filled with queso de mano (hand-pressed cheese). It's one of the most iconic and beloved breakfast dishes in Venezuelan cuisine.

A young girl or woman in Venezuela. It's a sweet, affectionate diminutive of chama used to refer to a young woman with tenderness and that warm Venezuelan way of speaking.

The belly or stomach, especially when it starts sticking out more than expected. The body part that grows most stubbornly over the years and resists every diet with quiet determination. Used affectionately or with a laugh across much of Latin America.

A stupid, cowardly person or someone who makes bad decisions. It's one of the most common insults in Mexico and Latin America, but between friends it can be used affectionately.

To be alert, sharp, and on guard. When someone says "ponte mosca" or "ándate mosca," they are warning you to pay close attention because something sketchy might be going on. The fly metaphor works because flies are notoriously hard to catch and always watching their surroundings. Used across much of Latin America and Spain.

A shameless flatterer who praises bosses and superiors excessively to get favors, promotions, or special treatment. Used in Colombia and Venezuela. The lambón does not compliment you because they mean it; they do it because there is something in it for them. Common in workplaces and social circles where there is a clear hierarchy to exploit.

To experience lag or delay in a video game or app due to bad internet connection or server issues. When you're lagging, your character teleports, shots don't register, and rage ensues.

To argue loudly with someone, escalating until the conversation turns into a full-on verbal fight. In Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela, "alegar" is when two people stop talking and start throwing accusations at each other, voices raised, neither one backing down.

To be carrying a heavy emotional burden or to be weighed down by too many responsibilities at once. Used across Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, and Chile. When someone "anda cargado," this is not the moment to pile more on them. They are already at capacity and need space, not more demands.

A flashy, expensive luxury car that turns heads the moment it rolls by. In Colombia and Venezuela, a cochazo is more than just a vehicle: it's a rolling status symbol that says everything about where you stand without you having to say a word.

A true friend, your people, the one who is always there when you need them. In Venezuela, pana is the word you use for someone you fully trust, the kind of friend who never lets you down.

A corn cob with its kernels still attached, the whole ear of corn in its natural form. It's what you boil, grill, or strip for kernels across all of Latin America.

Cool, awesome, something positive that you enjoy and makes you feel good. It's perhaps the most widely exported word from Caribbean and Andean Spanish, a universal synonym for everything being perfect.

A dumb or clueless person who doesn't get things even when you explain them. In Venezuela, it's a light but direct insult for someone who acts without thinking.