Puerto Rican Spanish is a vibrant and expressive language, but it’s important to be aware of its unique slang and swear words. This guide will help you navigate the language without causing offense.
Common Strong Insults
1. “Cabrón”
Similar to “bastard/jerk”
- Used like: “Ese cabrón me robó el estacionamiento”
- Translation: “That bastard stole my parking spot”
- Also used: “¡Qué cabrón eres!”
- Translation: “What a jerk you are!”
2. “Puñeta”
Strong expletive
- Used like: “¡Puñeta, llegué tarde!”
- Translation: “Damn it, I’m late!”
- Also used: “¡Qué puñeta es esto!”
- Translation: “What the hell is this!”
3. “Mamabicho”
Extremely vulgar insult
- Used like: “Este mamabicho no sabe conducir”
- Translation: “This idiot doesn’t know how to drive”
- Also used: “¡Tremendo mamabicho!”
- Translation: “What a huge idiot!”
4. “Pendejo”
Similar to “idiot/fool”
- Used like: “Qué pendejo eres”
- Translation: “What an idiot you are”
- Also used: “No seas pendejo”
- Translation: “Don’t be an idiot”
5. “Idiota”
Similar to “idiot”
- Used like: “Este idiota me chocó el carro”
- Translation: “This idiot hit my car”
- Also used: “¡Deja de ser idiota!”
- Translation: “Stop being an idiot!”
Discriminatory Language
“Pato”
Homophobic slur
- Used like: “Ese pato siempre anda solo”
- Translation: “That [slur] is always alone”
- Also used: “No seas pato”
- Translation: “Don’t be a [slur]”
Casual Terms to Use Carefully
1. “Wepa”
Similar to “Woohoo!”
- Casual use: “¡Wepa! ¡Ganamos el juego!”
- Translation: “Woohoo! We won the game!”
2. “Brutal”
Similar to “awesome”
- Casual use: “¡Brutal la fiesta!”
- Translation: “The party was awesome!”
3. “Dale”
Similar to “let’s go/okay”
- Casual use: “¡Dale, vamos pa’l cine!”
- Translation: “Alright, let’s go to the movies!”
4. “Chavó”
Similar to “man/boy” as exclamation
- Casual use: “¡Chavó, qué calor hace!”
- Translation: “Man, it’s so hot!”
Conclusion
Puerto Rican Spanish bad words ranges from mild expressions to severe insults, with varying degrees of social impact. The strongest insults often combine creative expressions with serious personal attacks, while discriminatory terms carry particularly heavy social stigma.
Context is crucial – what might be tolerable among close friends could be deeply offensive in other settings. Casual terms, while not inherently offensive, can still be inappropriate in formal situations.