7 Spanish terms to use wisely
The Spanish language is the official language in 22 countries, spoken by more than 500 million people and each country gives the language their own unique vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation variations
Today, we are going to focus in the differences between the Spanish spoken in Spain and the Spanish of Latin America, particularly in some words that mean something innocent in Spain and something gross in Latin American countries.
Concha
This word has three different meanings. The most accurate translation is shell, a crustaceous covering.
The second one is not really a meaning but a proper name. Concha is a female name, short of Concepción
But in Argentina, Perú, Chile and more countries we have to take care when we use this word. Concha is used as a vulgar term for a lady's genitals.
Coger
In Spain, the verb coger is frequently used and means to take, to catch or to grab. For example: “Voy a coger el autobus” (I’m going to take the bus.
But better don’t try it in some countries like Mexico or Argentina or you might find yourself in an embarrassing moment.
That’s because, in Latin American Spanish, coger is used to refer a very vulgar way to say “to have sex”. “Voy a tomar el autobus” would be the correct way to say it.
Chapa
In Spain, chapa is a thin sheet metal plate used for mechanical constructions such as car bodies, tank trucks. Also is a complement of glass bottles or aluminum, usually drinks, used to cover them in the factory (such as beer bottle) and usually can not be reused, and to open them, the consumer should preferably use a bottle opener, although some types can be rotated by hand to open.
In Spanish/Dominican terms this word means big ass. Chapa is known more as a slang word, also recognized in the song "Menea tu Chapa" translated in to English as "shake that chapa/ass"
This song has gone viral for Spanish viewers.
Pija
Pija is used in Spain to refer to a well-dressed woman with a snob accent, a posh girl.
But be careful with "pija" in Latin America, in several countries is another vulgar name for penis.
Chaqueta
In Spain and most of the Spanish speaking countries is the word we use for jacket, a short coat, in any of various forms, usually opening down the front.
In some parts of Mexico and El Salvador is a vulgar term to refer to masturbation. Also, it is used very often to disparage a comment or action of another person
Goma
Goma is the object, such as a piece of rubber or felt, used for erasing something written or typed.
In some countries like Argentina or Chile is used among men as a vulgar term for woman breast.
Bollo
Bollo is a fluffy dough made with flour, eggs, yeast and other ingredients, which can have different forms and could be sweet or salty.
In Latin America and the Caribbean is a vulgar and grotesque way to talk about lady's genitals.
Related with bollo, in Spain we can find the word bollera. Bollera is a slang form for lesbian. In the starts it was an insult, but by the time it was used like only a slang form to speak about lesbians (nowadays if it is insult or not depends of the tone it was told)
If you know more words like this leave a comment.
9 décembre 2016
