spanish Archives - Page 7 of 9

Un maíz

Literal translation: a cob of corn Meaning: used to refer to something that is easily done or accomplished (i.e. homework, a test, etc.) Significado: fácil de hacer o alcanzar (ejemplo, un examen o una tarea) Uso: colloquial, urban

Lo que está pa’ ti, ta’ pa’ ti.

Literal translation: what’s for you is for you Meaning: no one will take away what is meant for you . This is a reference to the belief in destiny and that one should not fret about losing something or someone. Significado: “lo que está para ti, está para ti”: nadie le quitará lo que en verdad le pertenece. Señala una creencia en el destino. Use: colloquial, urban

Un cuchillo

Literal translation: a knife Meaning: used to refer to medicine (from any source) that is very effective in treating or curing the symptoms of an illness. Significado: describe una medicina (natural o no) que es muy efectiva en tratar o curar los síntomas de una enfermedad. Use: colloquial, urban

¡Lo que pasa es que éste es un país de gente bruta!

Literal translation: the thing is, this is a country of stupid people This phrase became part of the Dominican argot, after Máximo Beras Goico, Dominican psychiatrist and brother of late television personality Freddy Beras Goico, used it in his TV segment “El Psiquiatra en su Hogar” (The Psychiatrist in your Home). During the show, viewers would call in with issues they needed advice on. Máximo often got visibly angry at callers’ “brutishness” and introduced his professional advice with the famed phrase. Do you have footage of Máximo Beras Goico saying this? Reply with a link. Use: when talking about a…

“Come yuca”

Literary translation: yucca root eater Meaning: insult, implies that the person is unrefined, or somehow undeserving. Usually directed toward someone who thinks the opposite of him/herself. “Come yuca” is perhaps one of the most ironic insults, given that yuca is indeed a staple of the Dominican diet and most people enjoy it. Significado: insulto, dícese de la persona poco refinada o de escazos recursos, que hace alarde de lo que no tiene o se cree muy culta. Use: colloquial - "Mira, come yuca!"

“Guallar la yuca”

Literal translation: to grate the yuca root. Yuca (cassava) was widely used by the Taino indians (native inhabitants of Hispaniola Island which they called Quisqueya). It continues to be a staple of the Dominican diet, eaten boiled, fried and in bread form. Meaning: to work hard Significado: trabajar duro, esforzarse Use: colloquial

“Amarrar la chiva”

Literal translation: “to tie up the goat” Meaning: to procrastinate, to make someone wait on purpose Significado: procrastinar, hacer a alguien esperar a drede Use: colloquial

“¿Tu no querías mambo? ¡Toma mambo!”

Literal translation: Didn’t you want mambo? There’s your mambo! Mambo is a popular Latin dance originating in Cuba. In the DR, the word indicates a playful, repetitive tempo within a merengue song used for spinning during dancing. Meaning: You got what you wanted. Now, stop complaining. Significado: Conseguiste lo que querías. Ahora no te quejes. Use: colloquial, urban