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/Sounds like "mah" (as in "mark") + "lahn" (as in "lava") + "DREEN" (as in "dreary")/

Meaning

A delinquent, lowlife, or person involved in shady or criminal activity. In Mexico and Central America, malandrín names someone who has clearly crossed to the wrong side: stealing, running with a bad crowd, or generally up to no good. Not the harshest label, but definitely not a compliment.

Examples

That lowlife robbed the neighbor again, unbelievable.

Do not hang around those troublemakers, nothing good ever comes of it.

Regional synonyms

Someone who's the absolute best at something, a crack, an undeniable expert. In Argentina and Uruguay it's the ultimate compliment for someone who stands out at what they do.