Peruvian slang words and phrases, known as jerga, can be heard throughout the country. Even if you have perfected your spoken Spanish, some of these Peruvian slang terms may have you scratching your head. So, here are a few common slang expressions that you might hear while travelling in Peru.
Updated to include many of the suggestions left by readers. Thanks for the input, keep ‘em coming!
Peruvian Slang Words A-E
a su madre – a common expression of surprise, often shortened to just “asu!” Despite the presence of the word “mother,” the expression is not rude (but don’t go experimenting with “mother” expressions – you could get in trouble).- achorado — an aggresive or “low living” person (sometimes used to refer to “undesirable” types from slum areas).
- al toque – right away, straight away. Bear in mind that “right away,” like mañana, could mean a few hours or a few weeks in Peru.
- arrecho (a) — to be horny, turned on (estar arrecho).
- asado – angry, irritated. Literally “roast” or “roasting,” so a visual expression.
- bacán – cool
- bamba – fake, imitation. You’ll often hear this in Peruvian markets, where fake goods and fake money are both in circulation.
- blanca – cocaine. Literally “white.”
- brócoli – a homosexual man. Originates from cabro (below): cabro, cabrócoli, brócoli.
- bróder — friend, amigo (from the English “brother”)
- cabro – a homosexual or effeminate man.
- calabaza — stupid, empty headed.
- calato – naked.
- causa — a close friend.
- cocho (a) — an old person.
- cojudo (a) — an idiot, dumbass.
- conchudo – shameless, rascal.
- costilla – girlfriend. Literally “rib,” a reference to the creation of Eve from Adam’s rib.
- chamba – work, employment.
- chancha – a collection of money between friends, normally to pay for beer. A whip-round (read more about drinking beer in Peru).
- chato – short, used to describe a person (often used as a nickname).
- charapa – the charapa (Podocnemis expansa) is a species of turtle found in the Peruvian Amazon region. The term charapa is used to refer to Peruvians from the jungle regions (generally derogatory, offensive if used in an aggressive or mocking manner).
- chongo – whorehouse, brothel.
- chela – a beer. The standard invitation is to go drink “un par de chelas” (a couple of beers); this normally turns into eight or more and you may find yourself cheleando all night long (find out which Peruvian beer is the best).
- chévere – cool, great, awesome (like bacán)
- chibolo – a young person, generally in their teens.
- chibolero – a man who dates girls much younger than himself.
- choche (also chochera) — friend.
- choro — a thief.
- chupar – to drink alcohol. Literally “to suck,” like “sucking on a beer”.
- churro — an attractive or handsome man.
- doble filo – bisexual. Literally “double edged.”
Peruvian Slang Words F-O
- fercho — chauffer, driver (an example of syllable reversal in Peruvian slang: chofer becomes fercho).
- figureti — a poser, show-off.
- flaco (a) — boyfriend or girlfriend (lit. “skinny”).
- florear — to lie, flatter or exaggerate, usually with the aim of getting something (a floro would be a type of lie)
- fuiste – gone, the moment has passed, missed opportunity. “Ya fuiste!”
- fumón – pot smoker.
- germa — a girl or girlfriend.
- grone – a black-skinned person. An example of Peruvian slang where the order of the syllables has been reversed: negro = grone. You may see this used in graffiti, where Zona Grone means Black Zone, an Alianza Lima football fan tag.
- huachimán – watchman (from the English word). A huachimán in Peru is a private security guard, often one who patrols a specific street or block at night.
- jale – a person’s attractiveness or sex-appeal. Literally a person’s “pull”: the ability to draw in the opposite sex.
- jama — food (jamear — to eat).
- jato — house.
- jugador(a) – a player, womaniser, promiscuous person.
- lechero — a lucky or fortunate person.
- luca – one Peruvian Nuevo Sol (mil lucas = 1,000 soles).
- mamacita – hot or sexy woman. Literally “little mama,” it’s not the most romantic expression, more an “Oh boy, check out that mamacita!” kind of thing.
- mañoso – a slime bag, a person who is over familiar with women (often in a physical, touchy-feely way).
- miércoles – literally “Wednesday,” but used instead of “mierda” (shit).
- misio — poor, broke.
- monse – stupid, dim-witted, slow.
Peruvian Slang Words P-Z
- paja — cool, awesome (like chévere).
- pajear — to masturbate (a pajero would therefore be a… you know).
- papaya — used to refer to the female sexual organ.
- pata – guy. Used informally to refer to almost anyone. If there is a possessive involved (such as “mi pata,” “tu pata”) it refers to a friend (“my friend,” “your friend”).
- pendejo (a) – a sly, sharp, but generally untrustworthy person.
- pichanga – an informal football kick-around amongst friends.
- piña – bad luck.
- pituco — a wealthy person (typically implies a rich, arrogant, snobbish person). Read more about pitucos at Streets of Lima.
- por las puras – to do something for nothing, no reason, a waste of time.
- profe – short for “professor,” often used by Peruvian street vendors, shoe-shine guys etc to get the attention of well-dressed, business-like people walking down the street. It’s friendly and not disrespectful.
- pucha – used instead of the much stronger “puta” (“bitch” or “whore”), as an expression of disgust, distaste, surprise, relief etc, not literally (and not in reference to a particular person). The origin of the word is disputed (see comments below).
- roche – shame. “Que roche!” (“What a shame!”)
- suzuki – dirty. A play on “sucio,” the Spanish word for dirty.
- tombo – a policeman.
- tonear — to party, to dance (tono — a party)
- yapa — the extra (when you finish a glass of fruit juice, the vendor may top it up with the yapa, or extra, that remains in the jug).
Add to the Peruvian Slang Dictionary for Peru Travel
The above Peruvian slang words and phrases are some of the most commonly heard in Peru, but there are plenty more out there. Feel free to add to this little Peruvian slang dictionary in the comments box below. Thanks!
Related posts:
“pucha” is used instead of “puta” in Spanish the same way as “shoot” is used instead of “shit” in English.
Hi Elsa, thanks for the comment.
One of my favourite expressions is “pucha maquina”, something that the Tarapotinos seem to say all the time. I guess it’s a smooth way to say “puta madre”, but the use of “maquina” is quite strange. I love the way slang expressions develop, very interesting!
Cheers,
Tony.
I’ve heard “serpentina” used to mean beer, if only for the similarity of the first syllable. =P
Also, when my partner speaks with his friends, they often use “causa,” “chochera,” “choche,” “primo,” “hermano,” or “bro” to mean “friend,” like when they use “pata.” =)
Serpentina – I like that! I’ve heard some of those “pata” alternatives. “Causa” is a weird one. I’ve never heard “chochera” before. “Chochear”: to be gaga – according to my Pocket Oxford. Odd!
“pucha” IS NOT USED instead of the much stronger “puta” (“bitch” or “whore”).
it’s more like
“pucha, y ahora que hago” = Grrrr, and now what would i do
“pucha, queda lejos”= i don’t know if i want to/can go, its too far
“pucha, que bien! me salvaste, casi lo vendo” = Uff, that’s great! you save me, i almost sell it.
Hi Andrea, thanks for the comment. I’ve clarified the usage of “pucha” in the article; it was too brief as it was before. I was referring mainly to the origin of the word rather than its usage. As for the origin being “puta,” I am not 100 percent sure about that, but it is the only explanation I’ve heard that seems logical. The usage of “pucha” is also similar to that of “puta” in many instances (as Elsa said above, it’s similar to the English “shoot” for “shit” or the Spanish “miercoles” for “mierda”).
I’d be interested to hear if you or anyone else has an alternative theory as to the origin of the word.
Thanks again! (and I like your “pucha” examples!)
Does anyone know what the Peruvian slang word cachonda means? I think that it a reference to lesbian (lesbiana).
Cachonda: it refers to a horny girl o woman. Same for a man: cachondo.
Cachonda o cachondo: que mantiene y demuestra mucho deseo sexual.
Hi James,
It’s not a slang word I’ve ever heard, but I checked online and it seems to mean “horny” (in the mood for making love) – like the Spanish “caliente”, I guess. The online references mention it being used in Spain and Mexico. Interesting.
Maybe we’ll get some more comments from people who have heard it used (or used it…) in Peru.
Thanks, Tony.
The correct word for a turned on, horny woman is actually ARRECHA
Yapa-something more. When you make a large purchase, and ask for something more. Example-cable package, and ask for HBO also
QUE SIGNIFICA CUANDO UN AMUJER TE DICE: TE RETO DAME UN PESO ?
It means “I dare or challenge you to give me a kiss”
I’m peruvian. We never say “PROFI” (for teacher or professor) we say: PROFE
Another common expresion… “QUÉ LECHERO!” (it means “You are so lucky”)
Lechero (literally means the milkman) but in Peru: lechero = a lucky person
Another words for “cabro” and “brócoli” = Marica, maricón, cabrito
CHORO: thief
CACHARRO: face
CALABAZA: (literally means squash) but it is used for stupid girls, girls that don’t have anything in their brains
CALETA: hidden
CANCHITA: pop corn
CUERO: handsome (usually used for men) the expression is: QUÉ CUERO! it’s like PAPACITO
Thanks Malu, great additions.
CHOTEAR: to reject a person
GRIFO: a gas station
“Pucha” definitely comes from “puta” but in a long way. Young boys (at least in my generation) learn to use the expression “Puta madre!” (bitch mother) to express disillusion, like when receiving a bad grade or missing a penalty or many other cases. Pretty much the same way Americans use Damm!. Also ‘puta’ is used to curse, like in “¡Por la puta madre…!” The expression gets shortened, in a much Peruvian way, to ¡Puta…! Then, since teachers and parents disapprove cursing, “puta” becomes “pucha” and “puta madre” becomes “pucha máquina”.
Thanks Tom, good explanation.
Just one more on this to clarify: “Pucha” IS used instead of the much stronger “puta”, but ONLY as an interjection. Never as an adjective. It is used in the same situations where an English-speaker would use “shit/shoot”. But we will NEVER say “she is a pucha”.
“Cachonda” is the same as “arrecha” = “sexually aroused”.
“(tocar la) corneta” = fellatio
“sopa, sopero” = cunnilingus, man who performs it
“mostacero/mapero” = top (homosexual)
“corcho” = stupid
“chochera” = (close) friend
“por si las moscas” = just in case
“terruco” = terrorist
“quitarse” = to quit
“figureti” = person who likes to show off
Hi Carlos,
Great additions to the Peru slang list, thanks a lot.
Diovy I think you misssed one night stand, because you heard wrong what she said.
I´m sure she said to you Te reto a darme un beso. something like i bet You aren´t bold to give me a kiss or something like that.
We don´t use to say cachonda maybe a peruvian coming back from Spain but the word for horny in peruvian slang is arrecho/a.
Yara = watch out, or be careful
Federico/a = ugly
fetuccini = awful
misio = broke
estoy misio or estoy lacio = I´broke.
cocho = old man
mi cocho, mi viejo = my father
mi viejita = my mother
pirañas = a bunch of young kids who are thieves
frito = a black person
estoy pateando latas = I´m jobless
recien bajado = a person from the highlands who seem just came to the coast.
caido del palto = dork
Huevon = stupid
jama = food
jato = house ( from the quechua hatuchay )
jato also means sleeping or tired
rayado = mad
achorado = a guy from the slums
achorado also mean a kind of slang an gestures from the slums
precioso = behind the bars, imprisoned
en canada = in prison
crudo ( Raw ) = someone with fair skin, usually a gringo.
hola gracias por contestas .
te reto dame un peso me lo repitió y yo no saber ue significado teneur
estabamos solos y yo le manoseaba porque era bonita
Great list VicMan, thanks a lot. “Caido del Palto” — fallen from the palta/avocado tree? That’s a classic!
Thanks again,
Tony.
Broder = taken from the english word brother, used to mean friend, the same way we’d say “bro”
Causa = a friend, used like “pata”
Chambon = slang from the jungle. Someone who ruins something or a situation. For example, a chambon would be someone who says “Yeah you’re pretty…. pretty ugly!”
Churro = A particularly attractive or hot guy (can also be the pastry)
Choro = a thief
Combi = a bus (or the peruvian equivalent). Also called a micro.
Flaca/o = Literally, skinny. Refers to a boyfriend or girlfriend. Some people replace the world with gorda/o as a play on words.
Florear = to lie
Floro = a lie. One might say “Que bonito floro!” literally, “What a pretty lie” in order to pretend you’re not accepting or believing a compliment.
Germa = Girlfriend
Habla = literally, speak. Another term for hola, or hello.
Hueco/a = literally, a hole. Referring to someone stupid or ditzy that we would refer to as “blonde”
Juerga = a party
Juergear = to party
Paja = cool, awesome, like chevere
Quitarse = literally to take off. To leave. i.e. “Ya me quito”: I’m leaving
Rata: literally a rat, a thief.
Sherete = slang from the jungle, means girlfriend/boyfriend… or someone you’re sleeping with
Sacar la mierda = to crash
Tonear = to party
Tono = a party
Un sol y medio = one sol (currency) and a half, meaning 1.50. Can be used with any number
Thanks Mariah, good list.
I hear “flaca” a lot (forgot to include it in my original list, so thanks for mentioning it). It’s an interesting slang term, kind of odd but I like it.
Cheers.
Also, alot of words can be reversed… such as “yapla” instead of “playa” (beach). Can’t quite remember any more at the moment.
Yo you forgot “chimboyon” a way of saying faggot (another one lol) not used a lot but trust me is a slang.
“piropo” as well, meaning to flirt with someone or a complement.
“chancho” meaning a burp
“pajear” is also a another way of saying to masturbate.
“chevere” meaning awesome.
“Roche” means embarrasing.
“alacran” means bad arm pit smell or feet
“cojudo” a dumbass
“estoy cagado” Im shitted(?) Im fucked
“ni cagando” no fucking way
“chucha” vagina
“sopero, sopon” a soup but in slang it means to lick pussy or an old man who can do only that(viejo sopero) lol
“papaya” a fruit, but in slang is another way for vagina (some cuban people may only think is theirs but is also a peruvian one)
“pirana” amateur thief, or young thief
“pituco” rich person
“figureti” wannabe, a poser
Thanks James! Slightly x-rated, but it’s all good!
I really like “estoy pateando latas” because it is so visual.
Cholo – From the Andes mountains. I can’t remember the ones for the people from the coast and the jungle.
I’ve heard of most of these on the list so it is funny to remember them!
Peruvians are so politically incorrect – it seems perfectly acceptable to call people “Chino”, “Negro”, “Gordo”, etc.
In some areas, there are many ‘words’ that come from Quechua such as:
a-la-lau (cold)
a-ca-cau (hot)
a-cha-chau (caught doing something naughty)
Hi Rachel! I agree, “estoy pateando latas” is a great expression. Peruvians from the jungle are “charapas.” I can’t think of any slang words for coastal Peruvians.
Thanks for the Quechua examples, interesting.
Greetings all – could someone let me know the meaning of the phrase “sonsonazo”? Much appreciated.
Hi A.J.
Well, you’ve got me stumped on this one. I looked for “sonsonazo” on Google — judging by the usage, it’s some kind of insult (meaning “idiot,” maybe?). But I can’t figure out the exact meaning. I’ll ask some locals. In the meantime, maybe someone else will have an answer for you…
Cheers.
OK… I just phoned a friend.
She says that “sonso” is similar to “tonto” (stupid/dumb/silly). I think there are some subtle differences, mainly that “sonso” is more “of the moment” (a momentary act of stupidity or a lapse of intelligence) whereas “tonto” describes a stupid person who is more likely to be stupid all the time! That’s what I’ve been told, anyway!
The “azo” at the end of sonsonazo is just a standard augmentative suffix — making the word refer to something large (sonso = idiot; sonsonazo = big idiot).
Thanks very much for your help Tony! It was said jokingly to me by a very good friend (she also says “tonto” quite a bit). Cheers!
No problem! I get called “tonto” all the time. Now I’ll start listening out for “sonso”…
Hi
My name is Susan, I’m peruvian and I’m 21.
I laught a lot while i was reading this page! thanks all of you for give others your information.
Cholo = I just remembered the peruvian song “Cholo soy”
jaja, i like it.
OK, this word is used for people who are from COSTA, SIERRA and Selva of PERU.
In some cases people use it for ofend another person but it’s because they are racism :/ BUT, fortunately they are only a few x).
Costeño – Costero = people from “La Costa” of PERU .
Serrano= “de la sierra del Peru” person who cames from Andes. Sometimes some persons feel ofended for this word.
and YES is “charapa” for women and men who cames from “la Selva” (jungle) and we usually use a singular tone of voice for say “es un charapa”, “de la selva su encanto” tipical phrase the say,”charapitas” people use it for young woman. This expressions aren’t ofenssive.
Bye bye
Susan =)
Thanks Susan! I just found “Cholo Soy” on YouTube… it’s a great song!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MczKkIDd6TA
I heard my boyfriends use some slang like:
chino – 50 centimos coin
gordillo/a – play on gordito/a
pucha flaca – skinny bitch, but usually a guy affectionately calls a girl he thinks is hot that
Thanks Jackie! No matter how affectionately it’s said, “skinny bitch” is one expression that definitely wouldn’t work well in the UK!
Two of the better ones I’ve learned recently:
Chilindrina – Beer
Huambrilla – Not totally sure, but I believe it means ‘sexy girl’.