The common cold with coughing, runny nose, sore throat, and general misery that catches you when you least expect it. According to every Latino mom, you get a resfriado from going out with wet hair or walking barefoot.

To make a good impression or fulfill what's expected of you in social situations. It's about looking good in front of others, bringing a gift to a party, dressing well, or saying the right thing.

To throw something in the trash or discard what's no longer useful in Chile, Colombia, and the Caribbean. It's the everyday verb for getting rid of stuff you don't need anymore.

A Venezuelan four-stringed instrument heard in every joropo and parranda. In Venezuela there is no traditional celebration without a cuatro, it is the soul of llanera and criolla music.

Someone went too far, overdid it, or crossed a line they shouldn't have. 'Se pasó' works for good and bad: from 'went overboard with generosity' to 'crossed the line', it all depends on context and tone.

A system of getting jobs or benefits through personal connections, with zero merit involved. In Venezuela enchufismo is the constant complaint of those without the right contacts watching connected people coast through.

When someone absolutely kills it, looks incredible, does something spectacular, or just destroys everything in their path. Slay is Gen Z's ultimate compliment: if someone tells you "slay," you nailed it.

Short for 'away from keyboard', the player left their computer and isn't playing. AFK teammates are the bane of every online game, leaving their team short-handed.

An opportunity or possibility that something might happen. In Mexico, 'dame chance' is the universal plea that works for asking for time, permission, another shot, or simply to be left alone for five more minutes.

Red in many Latin American countries. It also describes someone who's blushing, either from embarrassment, sunburn, or anger, depending on the situation.

When someone says something you totally agree with and it's objectively true beyond any debate. It's like saying 'you're absolutely right' but in Gen Z fashion, quick, direct, and final.

A t-shirt or tee in Venezuela, the basic top that everyone wears for everything. From the one you sleep in to the one you throw on to run errands, "franela" is the go-to word for any casual shirt without a collar.

A thunderous, powerful shot on goal in football, the kind the goalkeeper doesn't even see and that makes the net shake. When a player unleashes a cañonazo, the entire stadium jumps to its feet screaming.

In Venezuela, a refined and elegant person from a high-class background, always well-dressed and speaking with distinction.

In Venezuela, broma isn't just a joke, it's any thing or object whose name you can't remember. It's the perfect wildcard word for when you don't know what something's called.

A person with a permanent serious, sour expression, the one who never smiles and seems perpetually unimpressed. In Venezuela, careto is the label for the stone-faced individual whose face communicates disapproval even at a party.

A concert or live music performance, usually by indie bands or emerging artists. In Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador it's the informal way to say 'concert.'.

A person dedicated to criticizing, hating, and trash-talking someone or something without any constructive purpose. Haters are fueled by envy and the need to bring others down.

A sharp, alert, and wide-awake person who won't be tricked easily by anyone. In Colombia and Venezuela espabilado is someone who already learned life's lessons and isn't buying anyone's story.

A gun or firearm in Venezuelan street slang. Strictly informal usage rooted in the language of the streets. Not a word you will find in formal contexts.

An urban music genre with heavy beats, introspective lyrics, and autotune that came from the US and got completely Latinized. It's the sound defining the current generation of Latin urban artists.

Immediately, without thinking twice, with instant decision. When someone suggests a plan and you respond 'de una,' you're saying you don't need a single second to decide, you're already in.

Scrolling through TikTok for hours without realizing time has completely disappeared. It's the modern black hole of entertainment that swallows entire evenings without warning.

A Venezuelan exclamation of surprise or amazement at something impressive, like saying 'Wow!' or 'Incredible!' It comes out spontaneously when something leaves you speechless.

A traffic jam where cars get trapped and can barely inch forward. It's the daily torture of living in any major Latin American city during rush hour.

A romantic female partner in a committed relationship. In most Latin American countries, calling someone your novia implies exclusivity and seriousness, it's several steps beyond just dating.

A positive sign in a person that shows they're worth getting to know and things are going well. The opposite of a red flag: those details that make you fall for someone and confirm you found a good one.

A lively, chaotic mess where nobody is in charge and everything is improvised, but somehow people are still having fun. In Venezuela, "guachafita" is joyful disorder: things are going sideways but the vibe stays festive and loose.

Being at your peak, full of energy, and doing everything right with no apparent effort. When you're unstoppable and everything you touch turns to pure success, nobody can beat you.

When someone did something amazing, absolutely crushed it, or exceeded all expectations with their own style. From 'ate that up,' it's Gen Z approval for someone who totally owned the situation beyond any doubt.