Build your word power with synonyms, phrasal verbs, idioms and collocations
for English learners of high intermediate and above

Never at a Loss for Words

1 - Qué es la que hay?
“What’s up!” This is a phrase you can use when you great your friends.

2 - Chavo
Money. It’s the equivalent of dinero.

Example: Mi amiga me ha prestado chavo. — My friend lent me money.

3 - Pela'o
“Broke” in terms of not having money.

Example: Estoy pela’o, no tengo chavo. — I’m broke I don’t have any money.

4 - Brutal
Something that is amazing!

Example: Esa pelicula fue brutal! — That movie was amazing!

5 - Acicala'o
Flashy or well put together (in terms of dressing and style).

Example: Ese tipo está acicala’o con las cadenas puestas. — That man is flashy with his chains on.

6 - Guagua
Bus or truck

Example: I’m going to take the bus tomorrow. — Voy a coger la guagua mañana.

7 - Revolú
Mess

Example: Limpia este revolú. — Clean this mess.

8 - Corillo
Group of friends (gang)

Example: Saldré con mi corillo. — I will go out with my friends.

9 - Birras
Beer

Example: Pásame una birra. — Pass me a beer.

10 - Parquear
To park (the car)

Example: ¿Dónde parqueaste el carro? — Where did you park the car?

11 - Bregar
To deal with (something)

Example: No puede venir porque está bregando con cosas de la casa. — He can’t come because he’s dealing with things at home.

12 - Al garete 
Disaster or mess

Example: La situación está al garete por el gobierno. — The situation is a disaster because of the government.

13 - Ahorita (Orita)
Meaning “later.” Not to be confused with “ahora” which means now. Ahorita is an abstract time in the future.

Example: Te llamo ahorita, estoy ocupado ahora. — I’ll call you later, I’m busy right now.

14 - Embuste o Embustero
Lie or Liar. The equivalent to mentira and mentiroso

Example: Él es un embustero, no le creas. He his a liar, don’t believe him.

15 - Bochinche
Bad gossip that usually includes some sort of defamation.

Example: Ellos me dijeron un bochinche de tu amiga. — They gossiped to me about your friend.




