UNIQUE EXPRESSION OF ECUADOR
Although Ecuador is a little country in South America, there is no doubt about it that Ecuador has a lot of wonderful things to offer to everyone that lives in and visits this beautiful country. The most important thing of all: Its people!
Ecuadorians are very respectful and happy people. And of course its colloquial expressions can't be ignored.
Ecuadorian people have their own expressions and colloquial vocabulary, which give them a rich and characteristic speech.
Here some of the most characteristic expressions:
Como en botica/ como chancho en lodo/ como perro en misa
like in the pharmacy/ like a pig in the mud/ like a dog at mass (Literal translation)
To expresses ourselves, Ecuadorians use a lot of comparisons. Such is the case in these three expressions.
To say that there is something "como en botica" is that there is a large quantity. For example: "Este niño lleva su mochila como en botica" (This kid carries his backpack like in the pharmacy)
Cerdos (chancho), enjoy being in the mud. When you want to express happiness, this expression is used: "Las vacaciones estuvieron geniales, gocé como chancho en lodo" (The vacations were awesome, I enjoyed them like a pig in the mud)
However, to express a bad experience we use the last sentence: "Fui a visitarlos a su casa pero me trataron como perro en misa" (I went to visit them at their house but they treated me like a dog at mass)
Acolitar
to go with, to join
This expression is used when you want company for any activity legal or illegal (lol). For example: "Acolitame a la tienda de la esquina, me da miedo ir solo". ( Go with me to the grocery store at the corner, I'm afraid to go by myself)
Guagua que no llora no mama
Baby that doesn't cry doesn't nurse
The word guagua is used in many countries and with different meanings. In Ecuador they are babies. The meaning of that phrase is that if you don't ask for something, you won't get it. Example: " Adrian: Quiero pedir un aumento de mi salario, pero tengo verguenza. Pepe: Guagua que no llora no mama, anda pide tu aumento" ( Adrian: I want to ask for a raise but I'm embarrassed. Pepe: Baby that doesn't cry doesn't nurse, go ask for your raise)
Dame haciendo/ Dame pasando/ Dame trayendo
(To Give) would you do it for me/ would you pass it to me/ would you bring it to me
This expression is mostly typical in the mountain region of Ecuador. The verb to give is used, followed by the gerund to ask for something in a most respectful way, Instead of saying "Dame las llaves" they say "Dame pasando las llaves"
No seas malito...
Don't be bad
Just like the previous one, its common in the mountain region. It's used when you want to add more kindness to a request. For example: "Dame pasando las llaves, no seas malito" ( Give me the keys please, don't be bad)
Chulla vida!
One life!
To say this, is to remember that life is short and that you only live once. For Example: "Hay que aprovechar cada minuto de la vida, al fin y al cabo solo tenemos chulla vida" ( We have to use every minute of our life, in the end we only have this life)
Llevar piñas a milagro
Take pineapples to milagro
When something doesn't make sense, this phrase is used. In the Milagro area (city on the coast of Ecuador) there is a lot of pineapple cultivation, hence the origin of this expression.
Example: " Parece que va a llover fuerte, así que mejor no lavo el automóvil, sino sería como llevar piñas a milagro" ( It seems that is going to rain, so I better not wash the car, otherwise it would be like taking pineapples to milagro)
De ley
For sure
If something is certain it is "de ley". For example: "Salí de casa tarde, de ley no voy a llegar a tiempo al trabajo" ( I left home late, for sure I'm gonna arrive late to work)
Of course there are many more Ecuadorian expressions that aren't here. Do you know them? If you don't I will be happy to share them with you. :)
July 24, 2018
