Cancha
Quechua in South American Spanish: The Inca Words That Survived the Conquest
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Add a word/Sounds like "KAHN" (as in "car") + "chah" (as in "chat")/
Meaning
Street smarts, seasoned experience, or savvy gained from living through something many times. Across the Southern Cone and parts of South America, "cancha" (literally a sports court) also means the natural ease and confidence of someone who's been around the block.
Examples
“That salesman has so much experience, he can close any deal.”
“She lacks the savvy to navigate politics.”
Regional synonyms
/Sounds like "KAHN" (as in "car") + "chah" (as in "chat")/
Meaning
A sports field or court where you play soccer, tennis, basketball, or any sport. Used across all of Latin America. In Argentina, "cancha" also means having real world experience or street smarts, someone with "cancha" has been through it all and knows how to handle any situation.
Examples
“Let's go to the field for a quick pickup game.”
“That politician has a lot of experience, he knows how to play the game.”
Regional synonyms
/Sounds like "KAHN" (as in "car") + "chah" (as in "chat")/
Meaning
Experience or skill gained through practice, that wisdom that only comes from years of doing something. In Argentina, 'tener cancha' means being a veteran at something.
Examples
“Let him negotiate, he's got a lot of cancha in that.”
“Over the years I got cancha at the job and now it comes naturally.”
Regional synonyms
Showing 3 definitions, sorted by votes
Community
Your word isn't here yet
Join Hablaaa and add the expression no one else has documented.
/Sounds like "KAHN" (as in "car") + "chah" (as in "chat")/
Meaning
Street smarts, seasoned experience, or savvy gained from living through something many times. Across the Southern Cone and parts of South America, "cancha" (literally a sports court) also means the natural ease and confidence of someone who's been around the block.
Examples
“That salesman has so much experience, he can close any deal.”
“She lacks the savvy to navigate politics.”
Regional synonyms
/Sounds like "KAHN" (as in "car") + "chah" (as in "chat")/
Meaning
A sports field or court where you play soccer, tennis, basketball, or any sport. Used across all of Latin America. In Argentina, "cancha" also means having real world experience or street smarts, someone with "cancha" has been through it all and knows how to handle any situation.
Examples
“Let's go to the field for a quick pickup game.”
“That politician has a lot of experience, he knows how to play the game.”
Regional synonyms
/Sounds like "KAHN" (as in "car") + "chah" (as in "chat")/
Meaning
Experience or skill gained through practice, that wisdom that only comes from years of doing something. In Argentina, 'tener cancha' means being a veteran at something.
Examples
“Let him negotiate, he's got a lot of cancha in that.”
“Over the years I got cancha at the job and now it comes naturally.”
Regional synonyms
Showing 3 definitions, sorted by votes
Articles featuring this word
Ser la pera limonera
In Spain, to be the absolute best, exceptional and a little eccentric at the same time. It takes "ser la pera" (already a strong compliment) one level further. When something is la pera limonera, it is not just great, it is singular and unforgettable.