Chilenismos/Words Specific to Chile

Learning Chilean

The other week, I was on the micro (the bus system in many parts of Chile) and two men dressed in clown costumes got on to perform a skit. One of the jokes in the skit was about an American girl who came to Chile. Someone asked her what she was studying and she said she didn't really know anymore. She thought she was studying Spanish but she's going to have to change her major to Chilean.

It's true. Chileans speak with hundreds of "Chilenismos" and "garabatos" (curse words) that are specific to Chile. You can study Spanish for years in the United States, come to Chile and understand very little.

Don't worry - there's help. One popular book that you can find in the States and Chile is "How to Survive in the Chilean Jungle. This book has hundreds of common words and phrases that can get you around. If you have the option, buy the book in the US to bring to Chile to avoid the high book tax. It's a small paperback book that packs well.

There are some free websites pertaining to Chilenismos, one of which is linked below.

If you only want to know the most common Chilenismos, I have made a list of the top 10 words and phrases to know.

1. ¿Cachai?: Ya know? Do you get it? - This is, without a doubt, the most used Chilenismo. Don't freak out and give a real answer; they are expecting a little nod of the head or "ya." The word Cachai comes from the informal "tú" of the verb "Cachar" (to understand). You might hear "Caché" (I understood) or "Te Cacho" (I understand you). Some people say ¿Cachai o no? as if it is one word. Be expecting it.

2. Everything "Poh": It means nothing - "Poh" originated from "Pues," a word used in Perú, Ecuador and other parts of South America. Chileans attach "Poh" to the end of words to add emphasis. You'll hear "Si-poh," "ya-poh," "vamos-poh."

3. Huevón: Dude: Like poh, Chileans attach "Huevón" to the end of sentences to add emphasis. You'd be surprised to know that this is a curse word by the number of times it is used in conversation. Do not use this with your professor or your mother, but know that if you are in a group of young guys, "Huevón" will appear at the end of every sentence. The word comes from the word "Huevear" which means "to fuck around" or "to tease."

4. Concha de tu madre: Directly translated as Your Mother's Vagina: This all-too-common "garabato" (curse word) is used as an insult or a rhetorical exclamation. Another common phrase that mean more-or-less the same is "Andate a la chucha."

5. Buena onda/Mala onda: Good Mood/Bad Mood: More directly, it means "good wave/bad wave." This is mostly used as a broad description of someone. If someone has a good vibe, they are said to have "buena onda" and vice-versa.

6. Al tiro: Right away. Use this expression in replace of "Ahora mismo." "Al tiro, no más" (right away and no more) made it into the movie The Motorcycle Diaries as a joke about this classic Chilean phrase.

7. Bakán: cool: used most with young women. If you see a purse you like, it's "Bacán."

8. Pololo/Polola: Boyfriend/Girlfriend: The word comes from the verb "Pololear" which means "to date." Don't use it outside of Chile. No one will understand you.

9. Fome: Boring: Same advise from "Pololo" goes for "Fome." Stick with "aburrido" in other countries.

10. Andar Con: To be hooking up with: If you're a college student, this is a common expression. It's the stage of a relationship between being friends and being boyfriend and girlfriend. As someone explained to me, the stages are "Tener un amigo," "andar con," "pololear," "estar de novios," and "casarse." These phrases can indicate how serious a relationship is.

For the sake of making it a clean top 10, I didn't include another important word, so I'll add it as an extra. "Chao" is used instead of "Adios." You'll sound strange if you leave a store or a party and say "Adios" or "Hasta Luego." They're just not used in Chile. Stick with Chao.

My final piece of advice on the language - know that it gets easier. If you have a foundation in Spanish, it's just a matter of learning a few more words specific to Chile. Also, if you speak with different words from "fome" or "Cachai," they'll understand you.

Good luck!

Useful Sites:

Need help picking between tú and Ud.?

How to Survive in the Chilean Jungle

Motorcycle Diaries
Chilean Vocabulary