July 19, 2008

el pilón

Meaning: In Ecuador they call it la yapa, that extra measure a vendor
gives you for buying in quantity.
In Mexico it’s el pilón. The closest thing in English is ‘a baker’s dozen.’

Example: Deme 4 kilos de naranjas. ¡No se le olvide el pilón! (Give me 4 kilos of oranges, and don’t forget my extra bit!)

July 18, 2008

No exageres.

Meaning: Don’t be dramatic. Don’t exaggerate.

Example: [Sara] Si no gano el premio,
me mato. (If I don’t win the prize,
I’ll kill myself.) [Ana] ¡No exageres! (Don’t be dramatic!)

July 17, 2008

mijo

Pronunciation: MEE-ho

Meaning: Actually ‘mijo’ is not so much slang as a contraction of the words ‘mi’ and ‘hijo’: my son. However it is often used not only with one’s own son but in a friendly way to any boy.

Example: [muchacho] ¿Quiere que le ayude con sus compras, señora? (Would you like help with your purchases, ma’am?) [señora] Sí, mijo, gracias. (Yes, my son, thank you.)

July 16, 2008

¡Maldita sea!

Meaning: Damn it!

Example: [José] Martín invitó a tu novia a Acapulco, y parece que aceptó. (Martín invited your girlfriend to Acapulco, y apparently she said yes.) [Jorge]: Maldito sea! (Damn it!)

July 15, 2008

No hay que andarse por las ramas estando tan grueso el tronco

Literal Meaning: There’s no reason to walk on the branches when the trunk is so thick.

Analogous Saying: There’s no reason to go out on a limb.

July 14, 2008

Hola, crayola.

Meaning: Hi, crayon! It’s just a silly way of saying hello, usually to a child. It works in Spanish because it rhymes.

Example: [Juan]: ¡Hola, crayola! [Juanito]: ¡Hola, papi!

July 13, 2008

chécalo

Meaning: check it out

Example: Chécalo, güey, ahí anda tu papá. (Check it out, dude, there goes your dad.)