June 2012 - Page 2 of 4

El que menos corre, vuela.

Literal translation: “The one who runs less, flies”. Meaning: Referring to people in a place (city, country or organization) - to mean that they are very sly or have street smarts and so one should be careful. Significado: Al referirse a gente en un lugar (ciudad, país u organización) - que son muy astutos o maliciosos y que uno debe cuidarse. Use: general, colloquial. Example: En este país, el que menos corre, vuela. (In this country, the one who runs less, flies).

Caribbean art for sale next to the Caribbean Ocean. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Arte caribeño a la venta al lado del Mar Caribe. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana.

A falta de pan, casabe.

Literary translation: “In the absence of bread, cassava bread”. “Casabe” is bread made of grated cassava root (yucca). Yucca root is abundant in Hispaniola island and was a staple of the native Taino inhabitants. Cassava bread is part of the Taino heritage and the recipe, as well as the look of it hasn’t changed much over the years. Here’s a video in Spanish of how Casabe is made in the Dominican Republic. Meaning: Settle for what you can get. Enjoy what you have if you can’t get what you want. (This is used to refer to food, circumstances, and people).…

Coger cuerda

Literal translation: to take the wind. Meaning: to become angry or visibly upset when someone makes a joke at your expense or is “messing” with you. Significado: enfadarse cuando alguien hace una broma sobre usted o trata de bromear con usted. Use: general, colloquial

Catedral Santa María la Menor, Primada de America. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. Santa Maria la Menor. First Cathedral in the Americas. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Mucha espuma y poco chocolate

Literal translation: Lots of foam, very little chocolate Meaning: Lots of fuss, very little substance. Used to refer to people or events that build up expectations and then do not deliver. Significado: Mucha algarabía y poca esencia. Se usa para referirse a una persona o evento que llena de expectativas a los demás pero no cumple con las mismas. Use: colloquial

Tirar tela

Literal translation: to throw fabric. Meaning: to wear new clothing, or to have a large wardrobe. Significado: vestir ropa nueva, or tener un closet con mucha ropa nueva. Use: colloquial, general. Example: Fulanito está tirando tela! Ay míralo.

Yuca encebollada

Cocina dominicana: yuca encebollada. Dominican food: boiled yucca root with stir-fried pickled onions. See recipe here. Ver receta.