These are some of our favorite Spanish words. Let’s all try and use them.
In Miami, Spanglish is just life. Sometimes you can’t help throwing in a Spanish word or two because it just feels right.
But the truth is that Spanish has so many great words that English doesn’t have that sometimes we find ourselves using them even when talking to a non-Spanish speaker. Some Spanish words and phrases sum up a situation with laser focus or are just satisfying to say. They roll off the tongue.
So here are a few of the Spanish language’s stellar words and phrases that all English speakers need to add to their vocab. Some of them are regional slang, so make sure to read the room before using them. Dale!
Words about smells
Grajo – /GRAH-hoe/
noun
A term used to describe B.O. or funk. But say it out loud. It sounds like it smells.
Example: “Oh my god, your gym bag smells like grajo.”
Sicote – /see-KOH-tay/
noun
A term used by Dominicans to describe the smell of stinky feet. I don’t know if other countries use it, but it is just a great word.
Example: “Those shoes smell like straight up sicote.”
Pecueca – /peh-KWEH-ka/
noun
Another great word to describe stinky feet, more widely used. Why doesn’t English have this word?
Example: “The minute you take off your shoes, the house smells like pecueca.”
Low key curse words
Ño – /NYO/
noun
This is the PG version of coño, which everyone knows is interchangeable with the s-word. You say this word whenever you are startled, surprised angry, impressed or upset. The trick is to really savor the /ny-/ part of the word. Just let it roll around in your mouth, then the /o/ part jumps out as punctuation.
Example: “Ño, that chick is fine.”
Sinverguenza – /sin-vare-GWEN-za/
noun or adjective
This translates to “shameless,” but it is more accusatory.
Example: “You’re still using your ex boyfriend’s Netflix login? You are SUCH a sinverguenza.”
Lambón – /lahm-BOHN/
noun
This is the Dominican word for a suck up or ass kiss. But it can also be used to describe a person who is trying to get free stuff.
Example: “Here comes that lambón Johnny. He still owes me money for our Miami Spice lunch.”
De Madre – /deh-MAH-dray/
expression
We use this term in Miami all the time when something is just too, too much.
Example: “Did you see that girl’s butt implants? De madre.”
Malparido/a – /mal-par-EE-doh/
noun or adjective
I learned this word from a Colombian friend and it’s a pretty bad insult, but I don’t really have a gauge for how bad of word it is because the direct translation is “miscarriage.” So when you scream that at someone, you basically are saying “You should never have been born!” which sounds like a hex. I am pretty sure I have heard it on a Colombian novela, so I don’t think it’s NSFW.
Example: “If this malparido doesn’t stop tailgating me, I am going to hit my brakes.”
Words that just don’t exist in English
Friolento/a – /free-oh-LENT-oh/
adjective or noun
This story was originally published September 19, 2017 at 9:09 PM.