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/Sounds like "chah" (as in "chat") + "LAHN" (as in "lava")/

Meaning

An assistant or apprentice who handles the grunt work and heavy lifting on a job. In Mexico and Guatemala, the chalán carries materials, cleans up, and follows orders while learning a trade, from construction sites to restaurant kitchens. Not glamorous, but totally essential.

Examples

Send the helper to pick up the materials, we'll keep working here.

He started out hauling concrete blocks and now runs his own business.

Regional synonyms

An untamed animal or a rough, wild person without any manners. In Argentina and Uruguay 'bagual' describes someone uneducated or difficult to deal with. Also a wild, unbroken horse of the pampas.