Community

Your word isn't here yet

Join Hablaaa and add the expression no one else has documented.

/Sounds like "chee" (as in "cheek") + "ROH" (as in "row") + "lah" (as in "lava")/

Meaning

A coin or a small, insignificant amount of money in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. If something pays only chirolas, it barely covers your bus fare. The word captures the frustration of being underpaid or the absurdity of effort that earns almost nothing.

Examples

They paid me next to nothing for that job, it doesn't even cover the commute.

All that work for pocket change? It's just not worth the effort.

Regional synonyms
Bandera de Argentina
Chauchas

To treat, to pick up the tab, to pay for someone else. In Mexico and Central America when someone dispara they're being generous, dinner, drinks, the whole thing is on them.