Dominican idioms – dominicanismos

¿Moños bonitos? Aguanta jalones

¿Moños bonitos? Aguanta jalones

Literal translation: If you want nice hair you have to pull it tight. This may refer to the effort of detangling curly hair more common in the Dominican Republic. Meaning: If you want something you need to work hard for it. Significado: ¨¿Quieres moños bonitos? Aguanta halones.¨ Si quieres lograr algo, debes esforzarte para conseguirlo. Use: general Submitted by: http://sinfullynell.tumblr.com/. Thank you!
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La piña se puso agria

La piña se puso agria

Literal translation: the pineapple turned sour. Commonly used to refer to the state of the country or a particular situation. Meaning: things went wrong, things got difficult Significado: la situación se complicó, o cambió para mal. Use: general, colloquial
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Plátano maduro no vuelve a verde

Plátano maduro no vuelve a verde

Literal translation: a ripe plantain won’t go back to green. This idiom is rooted in a merengue song by the same title made popular in the 80’s by Nelson Cordero “El Varón”. The entire phrase goes “a green plantain won’t go back to green, and time that’s gone won’t come back”. Meaning: time wasted is gone, seize the moment, or don’t dwell on the past. Significado: no pierdas el tiempo, vive el momento, o no te aferres al pasado. Uso: general
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Sacar pies

Sacar pies

Literal translation: to take out the feet Meaning: refers to friendships - to stop seeing someone/hanging out frequently, to suddenly begin ignoring someone who used to hang out a lot with, to ignore or avoid them. Significado: ignorar o dejar de frecuentar un amigo/a al que se veía frecuentemente. Dejar de hablarle a alguien si dar una razón. Use: general, colloquial
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Métele lápiz

Métele lápiz

Literal translation: give it a pencil. Meaning: calculate it, do the math. Significado: calcúlalo. Use: colloquial, urban
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Se armó un reperpero

Se armó un reperpero

Meaning: things became chaotic, disorganized. The crowd went crazy. Significado: se armó un lío o un desorden. Use: colloquial, general
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Ahí es que retuerce la puerca el rabo

Ahí es que retuerce la puerca el rabo

Literal Translation: that’s when the sow twists its tail. Meaning: that’s when things go wrong, or get complicated. Significado: cuando las cosas se complican o se ponen difíciles. Use: general, colloquial
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