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/Sounds like "YOH" (as in "yoke") + "lah" (as in "lava")/

Meaning

A rickety boat used to attempt the dangerous crossing of the Mona Channel between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. The yola represents the desperate hope of migration, thousands risk their lives on these makeshift vessels seeking a better future.

Examples

Su primo llegó en yola hace tres años y ya tiene su negocio.

His cousin arrived by boat three years ago and already has his own business.

Many leave on these makeshift boats at night so they won't be spotted.

Word family
Regional synonyms

To pull someone's leg, tease them, or playfully trick them into believing something false. It's light-hearted deception, the kind where everyone laughs eventually, including the person being fooled.