jerga...

So... just off the top of my head... here's some Peruvian slang I never learned in class. Some of them are words that I knew to mean something else before I got here, others are from Quechua, and others come from a regional tendency to use nonsensical words that sound extremely similar to a common phrase that one is about to say, kind of like Cockney... I think. Oh, and the diminutive! is super common. -ito and -ita are added to so many things, not just people's names.

bacán = chévere/genial = cool

lukas = soles = peruvian currency

plata = dinero = money

pata = chicx = guy (or mi pata = friend)

causa = mejor amigx = bff (also a delicious stuffed potato dish)

jato = casa = house

chompa = súeter = sweater

chela = cerveza = beer

chupar = tomar = to drink

grifo = gasolinera = gas station

toque = momento = just a moment

ciclo = semestre = semester

tonear = ir de fiesta = to party

juerga = party/ go out

roche = vergüenza = shame, shyness

palta = aguacate (o roche) = avocado

unas aguas = tragos = drinks

chancha = colección = money for drinks

chibolx = niñx = kid

chibolerx= one who deals in children = cradle robber

manyas? = entiendes? = do you understand?

choque y fuga = hook-up

novedades = noticias = news (personal)

tirar = to have sex (vulgar)

churrx = guapx = good-looking (but churro is also a fantastic fried donut filled with carmel)

de fresa = de frente/derecho = straight ahead

fumón = fumador = pot head

pucha = interjección de disgusto = f-ck, shoot (mild)

tranqui = tranquilx = chill

mancha = grupo de amigxs = one's crew

chifa = peruvian-style chinese food (possibly a transliteration from a Chinese word about eating?)

chaufa = fried rice (sometimes said as a joke instead of ciao for goodbye)

payaso = bufón = fool

cocos = dolares = US dollars

guatchimán = serenazgo = watchman

Probably forgot a bunch, but I've got an assignment to work on and then I've got to make food for Jueves Magdalenos.

(photo credit to Natalie)