December 4, 2007

Buey / güey (written both ways)

Pronunciation: Pronounce like “way” of “My Way”

Literal Meaning: ox

Meaning: Dude!

Example: Cállate, güey! (Shut up, Dude!)

December 5, 2007

Vato

Meaning: “Vato” is to the 50 and older crowd what “buey” is to the younger generation. In other words, “dude” or “guy.”

Example: Ese vato no sabe lo que dice.
(“That guy doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”)
Oye, vato, ven p’aca. (“Hey, dude, come over here.”)

December 6, 2007

Salir de Guatemala y entrar en Guatepeor*

Meaning: Out of the frying pan and into the fire

Example: Cambié de trabajo pues mi jefe era terrible. Pero el nuevo trabajo es igual de feo, y más lejos de casa. Salí de Guatemala y entré en Guatepeor.
.
Translation: “I changed jobs because my boss was the pits. But the new job is just as bad and farther from my house. I jumped out of the frying pan andand into the fire.”.

*This play on words is based on changing the “mala” (in English, “bad”) in Guatemala to “peor,” which means “worse.”

December 7, 2007

¡Órale!

Meaning: Right on! Cool!

Example: ¡Orale, güey! (Right on, dude!)

December 8, 2007

¡Qué tengas un bonito día!

Meaning: Have a nice day!