Culture Shock! Chile - A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette

(Michael S) #1
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!
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