Chilean Spanish is a vibrant and distinctive dialect, rich in colorful expressions and unique idioms. Mastering these phrases will not only enhance your language skills but also deepen your understanding of Chilean culture.
Essential Daily Phrases
- Greetings and Basics
- “¿Cachai?” – Do you get it/understand?
- “Wena” – Good/Great (informal)
- “Po” – Well/Then (added to end of sentences)
- “Al tiro” – Right away/Immediately
- “Bacán” – Cool/Awesome
- “Fome” – Boring/Dull
- Common Expressions
- “¿Qué onda?” – What’s up?
- “La raja” – Awesome/Amazing
- “Altoque” – Immediately/Right away
- “Chuta” – Oops/Darn
- “Pololear” – To date (romantic)
- “Carrete” – Party/Social gathering
Popular Chilean Sayings
- Traditional Wisdom
- “Más perdido que el Teniente Bello” – More lost than Lieutenant Bello (Used when someone is completely lost or clueless)
- “A pata pelá” – Barefoot (Doing something without preparation or resources)
- “Como el hoyo” – Literally “like a hole” (Something that’s terrible or poorly done)
- “El que la sigue la consigue” – Who persists, achieves (Similar to “persistence pays off”)
- Colorful Expressions
- “Ser penca” – To be a cactus leaf (Being low quality or disappointing)
- “Estar pato” – To be a duck (Being broke/having no money)
- “Hacer la vista gorda” – To make your eyes fat (To turn a blind eye)
- “Andar a pata” – To go by foot (Walking instead of using transport)
Modern Chilean Idioms
- Youth Language
- “Filete” – Perfect/Excellent
- “Chorear” – To steal/rob
- “Estar rayado” – To be crazy
- “Manso/a” – Huge/Amazing
- “Dar jugo” – To be annoying/cause problems
- Social Situations
- “Hacer la desconocida” – To pretend not to know (Ignoring someone deliberately)
- “Tomar once” – To have evening tea (Traditional afternoon/evening snack time)
- “Ponerse las pilas” – To put in the batteries (To get motivated/focused)
- “No estar ni ahí” – To not be there (To not care at all)
Regional Variations
- Santiago Slang
- “Sipo/Nopo” – Yes/No (informal)
- “La legal” – The truth
- “Terrible” – Very/Really (used as intensifier)
- Coastal Areas
- “Choro” – Cool/Awesome
- “Pulento” – Excellent/Great
- “Marino” – Smart/Clever
Cultural Context
Chilean Spanish is shaped by the country’s unique history and culture. You’ll notice influences from indigenous languages, especially Mapudungun, and even English. The frequent use of diminutives (-ito/-ita) and the tendency to speak quickly while dropping final consonants are distinctive features of Chilean Spanish.
The extensive use of slang and idioms in Chile reflects the creativity and humor of Chilean culture. Many expressions come from historical events, local traditions, and daily life experiences, making them valuable windows into Chilean society.