The 35 most common words in Salvadoran slang that sound like a real guanaco (2023)

El Salvador is a small country in Central America with just over six million inhabitants, characterized by its colorful streets and idiosyncratic language. Learn more about Salvadoran slang below.

Spanish is spoken as a first language by almost 500 million people in more than 20 countries and this would be one of the reasons for the large number of variations and peculiarities that this language has in each country.spanish speaking nation. Every country seems to have its own version of Spanish and even unique words that have different and very strange origins.

By learning itspeak spanish as a second language, it is common to put aside some of these great variations that the language of each country has and focus on learning in a traditional way that can be understood equally in all countries.

However, thespanish variationsin Latin American countries are really fascinating, their ability to interpret, pronounce and make applicationslearn this languagea wonderful adventure that fuels our cultural spirit and rich history.

El Salvador is one of those countries where its inhabitants have created their own version of Spanish throughout history, and today it is known for having interesting local slang that can be easily adapted for foreigners. In this article, you'll learn some of the most popular Salvadoran slang.

El Salvador and its jargon: a mix of fascinating expressions

If you are traveling to El Salvador or want to interact with some of its locals, consider some of its most popular expressions and connect deeper with its locals.

However, as in most Latin American countries, Spanish is consistently the official language in El Salvador.History, has been modified a bit to create a very special version that not only adds some rather odd words to its gibberish, but also subtly changes how verbs are conjugated and addressed in the second person.

Addressing someone in El Salvador is similar to GermanyArgentinaand its slang is characterized by a set of terms that together form the“Salvadorianischer Caliche”that mixes Spanish slang with the colloquialisms of its inhabitants.

The use of some of these expressions is well received by Salvadorans, who are characterized by their warmth and friendliness, as well as giving you the opportunity to expand your vocabulary.

Most Salvadoran words are original creations, others are descendants of words in indigenous languages ​​or some simply changed the meaning with which they are known in other countries, showing that their jargon is a mixture of histories, cultures and eras.

The most popular Salvadoran slang

The people of El Salvador are known for their particular way of speaking and expressing themselves, with a vocabulary rich in unique words with colorful meanings that you can put into practice to interact like a real local with the guide, which we bring you below.

Pay attention to each of these points the next time you want to interact with locals when visiting San Salvador or anywhere else in the country.colloquial spanishThat said, they can be very useful to make the most of your trip to El Salvador one day.

slang for saying hello

When you visit El Salvador, you may be able to correctly greet people with some of these words, depending on the context of the greeting. They represent a way of saying hello and goodbye that you can say with confidence.

General

It is the typical Salvadoran greeting used as a substitute for the word hello or any form ofgreetings.

• Quiubo, it's been a while since I've seen you!- Hello! How are you!? it's been a while since I've seen you
• wow, how are you- Hi, how have you been?

Island

It's a popular way of saying "Goodbye“.

• hello see you tomorrow. - Bye see you tomorrow.
• Loved seeing you Salu.– It was good to see you, bye.

Slang to express surprise or to refer to an object or situation

In Salvadoran slang it is very common to use distinctive words to refer to everyday situations, to express a state of mind or to identify something or an object. These are the most used words in Salvadoran daily life.

arrecho

It is a very common word in Latin America and has a different meaning in each country, except inVenezuelawhere it can mean many things. In El Salvador it means that something is very good, excellent or great.

• Fernando's new car is incredible.– Fernando's new car is incredible.
• your hairstyle is up.– Your hairstyle is great.

hard

It's a word used to refer to anything; it's like a jack of all trades that can be used in any context.

• Give me the ball that's on the table.- Give me what's on the table.
• Two ballads from those in the case, please.– Two of them in the window, please.

Cocoa

It means something of poor quality, boring or sad.

• That baseball game was shit.– The baseball game was boring.
• The phone I bought broke quickly, a Cacaso.-The phone I bought was quickly damaged. It's of poor quality.

Married

Its literal translation is “marriage”, but in El Salvador it is the name of a delicious traditional dish that brings together, as in a wedding, its main ingredients: rice and black beans, hence its unique name.

• Today we are going to eat wedding.– Today we eat the typical dish of rice and beans.
• The wedding was delicious.– The dish was very good.

Is dead

It means that something is of poor quality or a counterfeit product.

• These clothes are crap.– These clothes are of poor quality.
• The kitchen looks like a mess.– The kitchen appears to be fake.

pimp

It means something is dirty or messed up.

• Jose has a bad room.– Joseph has a dirty room.
• I don't like the supermarket on the corner, it's always Chuco.– I don't like the supermarket on the corner, it's always dirty.

Carne

It is a popular way of referringdogs.

• How cute is your chuch.- How cute is your dog?
• My house chucho is very affectionate.– My house dog is very affectionate.

Cora

It means $0.25, or a quarter, and is a very common diminutive for expressing the price of a product or service, using that value as a starting point.

• The juice is worth 2 crowns.– The juice is worth 50 cents.
• I only have 1 Cora in my pocket.– I only have a quarter in my pocket.

By ChotoMore

It's a colloquial expression to define something freely.

• I bought two pieces of furniture and they presented me with another piece of furniture.– I bought two pieces of furniture and they gave me another one for free.
• Coupons are an alternative to getting Choto products.– Coupons are an alternative to get free products.

Rampage

As inmexican spanishrefers to disorder, chaos, and any situation that breaks the rules.

• After the drinks were served, the rioting began.– After the drinks were served, all hell broke loose.

José's friends always get into trouble.– Jose's friends always cause problems.

it's yucca

It's a Salvadoran version of saying that an action is too difficult to perform.

• This cassava that can be released on Saturday.– I find it difficult to go out on Saturdays.
• If they're not looking for us, it would be really nice to go alone.“If they don't pick us up, it's going to be very difficult for us to go out alone.

Stich

It means money or money.

• I have money to leave on Friday.– I have money to go out on Friday.
• You will not be able to buy the car without the Pisto.– You can't buy a car without money.

puja

It is used to express surprise or shock.

• Oops! She hadn't expected to see him so soon.- What a surprise! She hadn't expected to see him so soon.
• Oops! We leave in an hour.- I did not expect! We leave in an hour.

seco

It's a way to call someone skinny without sounding dismissive.

• You're dry, you need to eat a lot more.- You are thin; you should eat a lot more.
• Juan is dry, probably from a lot of walking.– Juan is thin, I'm sure it comes from running a lot.

has gum

Although used in other Latin American countries, in El Salvador it is the most common term for a hangover after a night of drinking.

• I have gum from yesterday's party.- I'm hungover from last night's party.
• I can't get out of bed, I have gum.- I can't get out of bed, I'm hungover.

Yinas

It's slang for sandals worn on the beach.

• How beautiful are your yinas.- How beautiful your sandals.
• Maria sells yinas on the beach.– María sells sandals on the beach.

Slang referring to another person or place

These are the most common words used to qualify a person, whether it's their appearance, lifestyle, mood or characteristics. In the case of locations, they can be used to describe status.

Viscous

Refers to a person who is stupid, stupid, or clumsy. This word has similar connotations in other Latin American countries.

• You are very slimy when you talk to this girl.– You are very stupid when you talk to that girl.
• Don't be slimy and stop bothering others!- Don't be an idiot and stop bothering others!

Bayunço

It refers to a crazy or crazy situation, a situation that is often unbelievable and evokes great emotions.

• This player scored three goals in the same game. What a Bayunco!– This player scored three goals in one game. What madness!

What bayunco this concert last night!– What a crazy show last night!

Level

Salvadorans use this term to identify a child or teenager.

• Beetle plays football very well.– This young man plays football very well.
• This insect is my son's classmate.– This boy is my son's classmate.

Legal

It is an expression that describes a situation or person with good vibes or good energy when you use it as a"little then"(Bad Vibes) You mean the complete opposite.

• How cool is your friend Juan.– How nice your friend Juan.
• The new website is really cool.– The new website is very good.

Order Any

It is another colloquial way of referring to a child.

• This lion is very beautiful.– This child is very beautiful.

Chera plays with her dolls.– The girl is playing with her dolls.

cipote

Another way to describe a young man. It can be a child, a young person or a person under 30 years old.

• The kids go to college.– Young people go to university.
• He's too dumb to understand that.– He's too young to understand that.

maia

It's a way to bond with friends or when you don't like someone.

• Maje, let's have another drink.- Dude, let's have another drink.
• This Maje is heavy.“This guy is a pain in the ass.

Zurumbo

It is a term that often defines a state of dizziness or a dumb person.

• Jose Buzz Hat.Jose is stupid.
• Carlos causes an uproar with the bar bill.– Carlos makes a fool of himself with the bar stamp.

Salvadoran slang Words expressing an action, decision, or affinity

The most common actions, a sense of connection or a particular decision all have distinctive words in Salvadoran slang that allow you to accurately describe a context that could not be explained with a traditional Spanish word. Below we show you the most common words in Salvadoran slang in this regard.

Nadel

It means someone is very well prepared or focused on a goal.

• Luis goes like a needle to start building his house.- Luis is ready to start building his house.

María and Jazmín are ready for the entrance exam.– Maria and Jasmine are preparing for the entrance exam.

bajonah

In Salvadoran jargon, this word is used to express the moment to eat or eat out.

• It's time to go down.- It's time for dinner.
• When you leave work, we'll meet to relax.– When you get off work, we meet for lunch.

Kabbalah

It is used to say that you agree with something or someone.

Shout out

As in other Latin American countries, this word is used to describe when someone is complaining orhe is getting angryabout any situation.

• Maria will scream when she sees the new prices.– Maria will be angry when she sees the new prices.
• Citizens are always screaming about insecurity.– Citizens always complain about insecurity.

bode

It's used to approve something you think is awesome.

• The party was really cool!- The party was really good!
• What a bitch we're going to the beach soon!- Let's go to the beach soon!

monte

It is a word intended to refer to being drunk or getting drunk.

• On Friday I meet my friends.– On Friday I'm going to get drunk with my friends.
• We were excited to celebrate Felipe's promotion.– We got drunk celebrating Felipe's promotion.

Stroh

It's the Salvadoran version of "lies".

• What Maria says is pure straw. – What Maria says is a lie.
• It's a shame I sleep early tonight.- It's a lie that I'm going to sleep early tonight.

penzo

In Salvadoran jargon it means "to blow". Did you have a "thought"?

• Tremendous pain that Jorge inflicted on himself by falling out of his chair.“What a terrible blow it was when Jorge fell out of his chair.
• Jose got distracted and hit his head.– José got distracted and got punched.

Pallette

It refers to the action of constantly walking.

• You have to row to school.– You have to walk to school.
• I'm tired of rowing every day.- I'm tired of running every day.

ball ready!

Salvadoran slang has many amazing expressions that cannot literally be translated into any other language, they are amazing and will make you keep in touch with Salvadorans who are generally incredibly friendly and warm.

Knowing each of these phrases or words and putting them into practice can help you improve your Spanish skills and truly connect with the locals. If you don't have anyone to practice with, we invite you to try it out.free private lessono einsFree 7-day trial of our group coursesand learn why thousands of students trust itspanish vip!

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