Peruvian Slang You Must Know!
Peruvian Slang You Must Know!
Most people’s introduction to learning Spanish is through taking classes at school, in their home country, or on apps like Duolingo. When you’re first starting out, you’ll most likely focus on getting to grips with the official basics of the Spanish language – think verb conjugations, vocabulary and grammar.
However, if you find yourself traveling to a Spanish-speaking country such as Peru, you’ll soon realize that the local slang – or jerga – can be just as important if you want to understand what on earth everyone is talking about!
To help you get the hang of it, we’ve put together a list of our top ten ‘must-know’ Peruvian slang words so you can crack your interactions with locals during your travels.
1. Chela – Beer
One of the first phrases many Spanish students learn is “una cerveza por favor”-“a beer, please.”
However, in Peru and some other parts of Latin America, you may be more likely to hear people asking for a chela!
Originating in Mexico from the Mayan word chel – meaning blue – chela was used by the Mayans to describe the Spanish when they first arrived on the continent, referring to their light-colored eyes and skin.
Over the years, Mexicans began using it to mean beer as well because of its pale yellow color, and the word spread across the continent, becoming commonly used in Peru, Colombia, and many other South and Central American countries!
2. Al Toque – Straight Away
Peruvians are known for their relaxed attitude to timekeeping – but even in Peru, sometimes things need to be done promptly!
Al toque is a common expression in Peruvian slang meaning straight away, often used when someone asks you to do something. However, in true Peruvian style, the definition can be a little flexible and often refers to anytime in the near future.
Coming from the verb tocar, which means to touch or to knock on a door, you could roughly translate this to ‘at the knock’.
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3. Hacer Chancha – To Chip In
Had a long day at Spanish school and fancy relaxing with your classmates over some ice-cold chelas?
One of the best ways to buy things as a group is to hacer chancha, meaning to come together and ‘chip in’ to buy something everyone can enjoy.
¡Hagamos chancha al toque para comprar chelas!
4. Monse – Boring, Annoying, Stupid
This word, with mysteriously unknown origins, literally translates to “boring”. However, in Peruvian slang, it can be used colloquially to describe anything you don’t like or that you find unpleasant – from an ugly shirt to an annoying or stupid person!
¿Qué te pareció la película? —¡Monse!
5. Chamba – Work
One of the most commonly used slang terms here in Peru is la chamba; on a daily basis, you’re sure to come across locals going to la chamba.
The word originated during the Second World War, when the United States joined the war after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and sent millions of young American men overseas to fight.
In desperate need of agricultural and construction workers, the US government allowed Mexican citizens to cross the border and fill their job vacancies. On arrival in the USA, they had to visit the Chamber of Commerce to get a work contract – and as most of them didn’t speak English, this quickly evolved into chamba!
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6. Piña – Unlucky
In most Spanish-speaking countries, piña simply means pineapple.
However, in Peruvian slang, you may be surprised to learn the slang word piña has nothing to do with the exotic fruit – it actually comes from Quechua, the language of the Inca.
As the story goes, when the famous Inca ruler Pachacutec was expanding his empire across what is now modern-day Peru, some tribal lords rebelled against the conquest of their lands. After defeating them and gathering the enemy survivors, one Inca general suggested Piñaschay! meaning put them in prison!
From this point on, the prisoners of war and their families were regarded as piñas – imperial slaves who were condemned to work for the rest of their lives in terrible conditions.
7. Broder – Brother
Unlike the rest of the Peruvian slang on this list, this term of endearment unsurprisingly comes from English!
Just like in English, it’s used as a term of endearment when talking to your friend – ironically, not when talking to your actual brother.
8. Misio – Poor, Broke
This term is used in Peru to mean you’ve run out of money – so if you’re flat broke after buying too many chelas, you can say estoy misio!
While its origins are uncertain, many believe this phrase derives from the Spanish word miseria, meaning “misery”.
9. Brichero – Gringo Hunter
Could it be true love? You may think you’ve met the one here in Peru – but beware, if the object of your affections is a brichero or brichera, then they might have an ulterior motive!
Bricheros are Peruvians who seek out gringos – North American or European travelers – for romantic relationships, with the goal of getting a visa to move to a Western country. The term brichero comes from the English word “bridge,” as they’re metaphorically using you as a way to travel from their country to yours!
10. Palta – Embarrassed, Scared
The word for avocado in many Spanish-speaking countries is aguacate, but in Peru, Argentina, and Chile it is better known as palta, derived from the Quechuan word pallta.
However, did you know in Peru, it can also be used to say you’re embarrassed or frightened?
Unrelated to the fruit, this use most likely comes from the secondary meaning of pallta in Quechuan – a large, heavy hanging bundle – and refers to the emotional weight you feel bearing down upon you when you’re in a shameful or terrifying situation.
So next time you get a fright or forget your wallet when you’re supposed to be haciendo chancha, try exclaiming qué palta!
Bonus Slang – Soroche
Cusco sits at a very high altitude in the Andes, with the city itself at around 3,400m and many of the surrounding treks taking you to dizzying heights over 5,000 m. Due to this, one of the negative effects that many travelers experience when they first arrive is altitude sickness – or soroche. But don’t fear! The symptoms are usually mild and go away within a day or two. They can be alleviated with altitude sickness medication that can be purchased from any pharmacy in Cusco – or through the ancient Incan custom of chewing coca leaves.
We hope you enjoyed our list of Peruvian Slang you Must Know!
If you’d like to learn more Peruvian Spanish, why not try an online Zoom class with one of our native Peruvian teachers – or even travel to Peru to take Spanish lessons in one of our several schools located across Peru?
Join our Spanish immersion course in Cusco?Contact us or Learn more here.Use this link to register |