Language 201
Chilean Slang English Meaning
palta reina stuffed avocado, usually with tuna
patrona
wife, which shows who has the
power in the Chilean family!
pega work
peinando la
muñeca
literally “combing the doll’s hair”,
meaning mentally disturbed
pelados
members of the army (because of
their short haircuts), also a term of
endearment for babies
pelusas poor children
pesado/a an obnoxious person or a party
pooper
pinchar to win someone over, or score
(i.e. with a woman or man)
pico
although this word is widely used
in many other countries, meaning a
little, in Chile it is slang for penis
pituto a contact who can arrange for
special treatment or privileges
plop!
an interjection which expresses
surprise or bewilderment, taken
from the Chilean comic strip
Condorito
polera T-shirt
pololear
to go steady, to have a serious
romantic relationship with someone
pololo/a boyfriend/girlfriend
por si acaso
just in case or by the way. In Chile,
and much of the Spanish-speaking
world, the slang use of this is por si
las moscas
puh/po
an abbreviated form of pues, used to
add emphasis, generally at the end
of a sentence. e.g. Si poh! No poh!