1

A
a ponemos chancla
(from chancla, Nahuatl for sandal) "Let's dance". The grammar is deliberately incorrect.
guila
(lit. "eagle") "Be alert"
aliviane
a form of help "Aliviname - help me"
aguas
"to be alert, be careful". Aguas! ("Waters!) is the cry of sellers of dodgy items when police are spotted.
arre
lets go, lets do it.
A.T.M.
a toda madre - great, fantastic, out of sight (expression antedates the abbreviation for "automated
teller machine")
Ariza
Slang for Arizona.
B
baika: bicycle
baro
coin, money.
bironga
beer, booze
borracho
A drunk or someone on a bender.
bolillo
derogatory term for "white boy" or "white guy," similar to "cracker" in American slang. Derived
from the white dinner roll of the same name. Also used in Mexican Spanish.
bola
A dollar. "Prestame una bola." "Lend me a dollar."
bomba
(also "bomb") a lowrider car or truck from the 1930s - mid-1950s
bote
(literally: "can") jail or prison; also, a lid of marijuana.
borlo
dance, party. "Vamos al borlo." "Let's go to the dance/party."
bronca
trouble or a problem with someone else
Burque
a contraction of the old spelling of Albuquerque, New Mexico (Originally spelled "Alburquerque").

2

C
cabulear
to "bullshit"; to "chew the fat with"
Caile
Come here, go any where
Califas
California. In standard Spanish, it means "caliphs".
calcos
shoes
Cal
a language used by Chicanos or Mexican-Americans, derived from the name of the Spanish Gypsy
(gitano) dialect, Cal
canicas
(lit. marbles) love; , genitals(male); also "andar a canicas"(walking around naked).
cantn
home; house; apartment
carnal
brother; close friend; homeboy, from primo carnal, "first-grade cousin." (also "karnal")
careja
all at once, burdon, blows
Carrucha
Car, Your Ride (related to "carro," car)
Carrujo
joint, marijuana cigarette
cagua
beer (related to Mexican slang for large beer, "caguama," literally "giant turtle")
catos
fistfight, fisticuffs
chafa
low quality
chale
expresses disagreement, "no way"; antonym of simn
chancla
shoe, sandal
chavala
(from Gypsy/Gitano Calo) little girl; also used as an insult for a man that lacks courage
chavalo
(from Gypsy/Gitano Calo, related to Mexican Spanish "chavo") little boy
chela
beer
chido
cool. awesome. "que chido wey" "esta chida la rola"
chingazo
a punch or a kick delivered during a fight or brawl
chorra
penis
3

chota
cops, police
chuco
El Paso, Texas
clecha
school, class
clica
clique, social group, gang (also "klika")
con safos
(frequently abbreviated as "c/s") "Nobody can mess with this" (likely from Arabic-derived Spanish
zafo = unobstructed, clear, safe, intact)
coco
bruise, cut, scrape, head, wound of some sort.
cuete
gun (from cohete = rocket)
D
dale gas
step on it, go for it
de aquellas
(lit. "from those over there") "the best"
descuntate
beat it, get lost
descuntatelo
hit him
descontar
to hit, irregular conjugation (descuento, descuentas, descuenta, descuentan, descontamos)
dispensa
(also 'spensa)excuse me(?)
drapes
syn. for "zoot suit" (see below), originating in 1930s Harlem African American for stylish clothing;
E
echa la cookie
fast, as in running fast
empanzonar
impregnate
na
short for Nortea
ne
short for Norteo
enjaular
to lock up. Standard Spanish.
entacucharse
4

to dress up, more specifically, to wear a tuxedo or suit
escamado
scared. Standard Spanish.
escueln
school
esquina
help, give a hand
esquinar
help out.
sa
short for Surea (lit. "that one", "that girl")
se
short for Sureo (lit. "that one", "that guy")
esponjes
lie as in no esponges ese
esponjes
angry, as in no te esponges == "don't get angry"
F
fajates
blew it
feria
money (literally "fair", as in "county fair," but references the homonym "fare" as a bilingual pun)
filero
knife. Spanish filo means "edge".
firme
cool (as in "hip"); good. In standard Spanish, "firm".
frajo
cigarette
fresa
prep
fusca
gun
G
gabacho/a
(also "gavacho") term for a white person. Related to Mexican Spanish slang for the United States, "el
gabo" (In Spain, "Frenchman").
gacho
unfortunate, inappropriate, or cruel (possibly from Basque "gaizto")
gasofas
Gas, Petrol
Good nuff
Half-ass bullshit, work ethic
5

grifa
marijuana (whence the US slang word "reefer"; derived from "grifo")
grifo
(lit. "faucet") marijuana addict; someone who is always "prendido", or "lit"
gacha
(also "wacha" or "wachale") "Look"; "Watch"
gaino
Wino
gero
(also "huero" or "weddo") white person; light skinned, blue eyed/blond person
gisa
(also "wisa" and "weesa") woman; girlfriend
gey
Technically means a castrated bull, but it's often used as like homeboy or dude. For example, "Que
onda guey?" means, "what's up man?" Also may refer to a man who's being cheated on by his
significant other. Commonly used in Mexico, but considered somewhat vulgar there, usually used
among close male friends. (sometimes spelled "buey" or "wey")
H
homeboy
(also "homie") 1) a very close associate usually identified as someone from one's own barrio or
neighborhood; 2) a person with whom one identifies closely with implying a strong loyalty toward;
possibly derivative of Spanish hombre
homes
(also "holmes") variation on the word "homeboy", used to identify a friend; can also be used as a
casual greeting for anyone
Firme
1) everythings all good
hyna
a girl, or girlfriend
J
jaina
(also spelled "hyna", "heina", and "hayna") woman; honey; girlfriend
jale
a job
jefa/jefita
mother
jefe/jefito
(lit. "boss") father
jura
police

6

L
lacra
low life individual
lambache
suck ass
lambiscn
suck ass
lana
(lit. "wool") money
la neta
"the truth" or an unquestionable axiom (as in "es la neta" means "that's the truth"), also tends to be
followed with "que" as its universal conjunction to other words such as "laneta que el otro dia..."
meaning "the truth is that the other day". From la neta verdad, "the pure truth".
lanzar chingadazos
throw blows
laquiar
to lock
leo
marijuana cigarette (joint). In Spanish, "wood block".
leva
coward, hood hopper/set tripper
llantas
(lit. "tires") a term for homemade sandals or beat-up shoes, also used to refer to extra fat acquired
around the waist (similar to "rolls" or "love handles")
llevanate
behave, be cool, chill out
litro
cigarette lighter
lisa
shirt
loc
(pronounced "loke") short for "loco"; a street crazy; hardcore street tough, also maddogs or heavily
tinted sunglasses
locochn
crazy
M
machn
excellent, high-achieving, outstanding
manflora
(also manfi) derogatory for lesbian, dyke
mscara
face. In Spanish, "mask".
mayate/mayata
7

(n-word) derogatory for a dark-skinned male/female, usually African American; der. from mayatl
(Nahuatl) an iridescent black scarab
mayatero
someone who tries to "act black"
mexa
from a Mexican origin
miclo
light-skinned Mexican
mojado
wetback. Any immigrant crossing the Rio Grande river (mostly Mexican). Literally, "wet".
Monda: penis
mono
movie
mono
the devil; demon. Literally "monkey".
Morro
Young man or boy.
Morra
Young woman or girl.
mota
slang for marijuana (possibly from Seminole "mota" meaning tobacco; in Mexican Spanish, mota
means "speck")
N
naranjas
no. Literally "oranges". In Spain the phrase "naranjas de la China" means "no way".
narices
no. Literally "noses".
Naco- someone who does not dress well
negro/a
(lit. "black") a somewhat affectionate term for a darker skinned individual of whatever race, e.g.
chicano, African American or others (e.g. "vamos mi negro"), can be softened in the diminutive
(negrito/a) as negro can also be derogatory
nel
no
nikle
Pronounced "nee-kleh." Five cents.
no manches
don't mess around
no hay pedo
no problem; no sweat
Norte Califas
8

Northern California
Norteo
northerner; street chapter of the Nuestra Familia prison gang, associated with the color red and the
number 14.
no te agites
don't get depressed
O
rale
"Right on"; "Alright!"
Ojete
asshole [example: ya no seas ojete]
Ojo
Watch out, keep your eyes open, be careful
P
Pachuco
a native or resident of El Paso, Texas, later extended to mean all Mexicans and Mexican Americans
adopting aspects of Pachuco culture such as dressing in zoot suits and speaking Cal.
paisa (from 'Paisano')
(also "border brother") a somewhat affectionate term for recent immigrants from Mexico
pano/pao
a style of art, with drawings or paintings made in prison, on handkerchiefs (literally "handkerchief")
panocha
pussy
pancho
(orig. nickname for the first name "Francisco") crying or complaining, used with the verb "hacer" i.e.
"tu haces mucho pancho!" meaning "you do a lot of complaining"
panzn
fat man. Standard Spanish, compare English paunch.
panzona
fat woman; pregnant woman
psame las tres
Literally, "pass me the three". "Let me have a drag" (of a cigarette)
pase
slang for cocaine
pedo
(literally "fart") intoxicated; 'estar pedo'
pedo
problem; 'no hay pedo'
pendejo
extremely foolish person, a coward, "no seas pendejo" (don't be a fool), "me hice pendejo" (I turned a
blind eye); also pubic hair (archaic) highly offensive.
perico
9

slang for cocaine
perrucha
very difficult; female trouble-maker (related to "perra," meaning female dog or bitch)
pestaa
(lit. eyelash) sleep
pestaear
to sleep
picaste
did you "get" some (from Sp. picar, to poke; also to shoot up as in heroin)
pinta
jail; prison (more specifically)
pintar paredes
to masturbate
pisto
beer; can of beer (more specifically); also general term for alcoholic beverage. In Spanish, "soup"
[1]

Pitaso
To "Rat someone out" - Dieron un pitaso
placa
(literally "badge") tattoo; the police; a person's graffiti tag
ponerse al alba
"to put oneself to the dawn", to get with it
ponerse zafado
to get high on marijuana
ponte las pilas
get your stuff together
Pual
A knife, Gay, (homosexual) "eres Pual"
Puto
Gay individual or a coward
putazo
a big punch.
prendido
"lit on", high on drugs; high on marijuana (most common)
Q
qu onda?
"what's up?"
quemar llanta
to burn rubber (as in driving)
Quilmas
San Quentin prison
Quiubo? (Quhubo, Qiobo. quiboles. Q-vo)
(from "Qu hubo" meaning "What was there?") "What's going on?"; "What's up?" (Also,
Quevolet....pronounced like Q-voh-lay)
Que Suda
"how stupid" "how crazy" "you're out of it"
10

R
ranfla
car; low-rider car
rifamos
"We rule" Also (to take) a chance; "nos la rifamos"
rifar
to rule, have superiority in a neighborhood, in a sport, or some territory
refin
food
refinando
eating
refinar
to eat
refran
soda, derived from "refresco"
rola
song
ruca
(literally: "old woman") girlfriend; woman
ruco
Old man
S
safis
Oops! Some type of error.
Sancha
Girlfriend on the side; secret (or not) lover
Sancho
Boyfriend on the side; secret (or not) lover
sawrucha
saw
sentirse aviador
"to feel as an airman", to feel high or drunk
Serio/a
"seriously", for real (also spelled Cerio/a)
simn
"Yeah", often combined with ese: simnese
soda
slang for cocaine
soflamera
whiner
songas
songs
Swata
11

Idiot
Sur Califas
Southern California
Sureo
southerner, street chapter of La eMe (or Mexican Mafia), associated with the color blue and the
number 13.
Esticis
(from shoe manufacturer "Stacey Adams") a brand of dress shoes favored by pachucos and swingers; a
generic term for polished dress shoes
T
ta con madre
shortened form of "est con madre" (lit. "is with mom") the best, or something really good,
outstanding.
tacuche
(literally: "suit") zoot suit; fancy clothing
talonear
"to heel", to walk, also to con, prostitute (to pimp)
tecato
heroin addict
tinto
(literally. "dark") derogatory referring to an African-American
tirando chancla
dancing your ass off
tira
police
tirar la masa
(lit. "to throw corn dough") to defecate
tirarlo a len
(lit. "to ignore") to blow off, to forget about it
tirar tripa
(lit. "to throw guts") to vomit
TJ
"jury-rigged" or of inferior workmanship, (from the initials for Tijuana, a California border town
where Americans go for cut-rate dentistry, auto body repair, and upholstry)
toleco
Fify-cent piece.
torcido
(lit. "twisted") jail time; locked up in prison (most specifically)
torta
(lit. "cake") derogatory slang for a fat female
tortilla
lesbian
traer cola
"to carry a tail", to be on parole
tragazn
12

food, especially in large amounts. From tragar, "to swallow".
tramos
pants
trinquetiar
to cheat; to mess (someone) up
trola
cigarette lighter, match
trucha
(lit. "trout") "Watch out"; smart; wise
tubos
"tubes". Socks
turiquear
to get along; to communicate
U
un Abril
(also "un abro") a year's jail sentence
V
vasquear
to vomit
vaisa
grip (possibly derived from vise grip)
varrio
neighborhood or 'hood (misspelling or alternate spelling of barrio)
vato
dude; guy; man
verga
(lit. "mast", "pole"), "dick" "penis" "cock"
vieja
(lit. "old lady") girlfriend, wife
volar
(lit. "to fly") to hurry
W
wango
loose, sloppy, awkward in appearance
Wachar
to watch, to look out for; also gachar
Wchale
watch out! (interjection)
wesudo
westside
13

weso
westside
wilo, gilo
skinny
wilo, gilo
male prostitute
wino
term for someone consuming large amounts of alcohol, an alcoholic
Y
yesca
(also "yeska") marijuana. In Spanish, "a fungus to light fire".
yonka
bike
Y qu?
"And what?"; "So (what)?" (used to question, add emphasis, or challenge someone)
"ay wey"
" oh, shit"
"ya estuvo"
it's over, it's finished, I'm done
Z
zafado
goofy
zafo
I'm out, I bail out. (used when asking for volunteers); derived from/related to con safos (see above)
zoot suit
an outfit of male clothing consisting of large trousers which become narrower towards the bottom, a
formal jacket which matches with the trousers, and a long chain running from the pocket