Chilenismos

Here in Chile, it often feels like there is an entire language apart from Spanish to learn. Chileans have a very distinct set of vocabulary words called "Chilenismos". These words are used in everyday conversation. Last week, I was having once (afternoon tea, eaten around 5 or 6 pm) with my friend, Victoria and the family she is staying with and they asked me to list the three most important Chilenismos to survive an everyday Chilean conversation. As soon as I listed the my three words, Victoria and her family burst out laughing because our lists were practically identical. Here are some important Chilenismos so you will not be in the dark when you visit Chile:

Victoria and my list:

1) pololo/polola=boyfriend/girlfriend. In Spanish class in the US, I learned that novio/novia is the definition for boyfriend/girlfriend but in Chile, novio/novia is the term used for people who are engaged. Chile is very much a couple dominated culture and you always see pololos sitting on the benches in the parks or walking on the streets hand in hand. 

2) Cachai?=got it? understand? On the TransSantiago buses, I like to listen in on conversations and will hear the phrase Cachai? about twenty times before I exit the bus. Chileans say Cachai? as frequently as they take breaths.

3) Carretear=to go out, party and drink

3) Bacan= cool, excellent

Chileans also like to add -po to the end of words. For example, "si", will be changed to "sipo", a simple no, will be converted to "nopo".

And Patrish, here is a slang word for you. The word huevón means asshole or jerk but it is often used in conversations between friends. 

This weekend I went on a trekking adventure in the Andes which made a Steve White hike look like a walk in the park. Unfortunately, my camera died on the second day of the trip so I am waiting for people to put pictures up on facebook and then steal them. Check back next week to hear about the Death March through the Andes!