Community

Your word isn't here yet

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

/Sounds like "mah" (as in "mark") + "LAHN" (as in "lava") + "drah" (as in "draft")/

Meaning

A street criminal or shady character with a dangerous edge. In Argentina, "malandra" comes from the Italian "malandrino" (rogue, bandit) brought over with Italian immigration to the Río de la Plata. It implies real street-level danger, a step above a petty trickster.

Examples

That neighborhood is full of criminals, don't go there at night.

The sketchy neighbor stole my bike.

Regional synonyms
Bandera de Perú
Choro

To excessively flatter someone with hidden interests, especially a boss. It's the art of calculated flattery.