SALVADORAN WORDS


Understanding Ruz. Following is a survival glossary of Salvadoran words to better understand the "native touch" of La Prensa Grafica's main cartoonist Ruz. The source spanish words or intended meaning are in parentehsis when available. Definition 2 gives the correct or original meaning of the word.

ACHIS verbal expresion: hey! what the heck! what! hum!
BAJAR to steal, to cheat, to swindle, to lower, to reduce.
BAYUNCADA a remark out of context.
BICHO kid, young boy, bug.
BUEY-SCABO boy scout.
CABAL right, correct.
CAER to give, to pay.
CHOJOLES beans.
CHOMPIPE turkey.
CHOTO for free ( usually "de choto" ). Irse en la de choto: to miss, to fail, to be fooled.
CHUCO tipical drink prepared with maize.
CHUCOdirty, filthy,. Jugar chuco: to cheat.
CHUMPA jacket, female turkey.
CUCHE pig full.
DISCUTIR to share, to discuss.
DOS QUE TRES verbal expression: some, a few, somewhat, moderate.
DUNDOnaive, fool.
EN DOS (O TRES) PATADAS verbal expression: fast, easily.
ENGANCHARto cheat, to pull somebody's legs, to hoop up.
ENTURUTAR to mix up, to confuse.
ESTAR EN LA JUGADA verbal expression: to understand, to be alert, to pay attention. GOMA hangover, rubber, glue, gum.
HACER SU AGOSTO verbal expression: to take advantage of the circumstances, to (illegally) make large profits (especially durante Agostinos festivities or commercial fairs), an illegal business.
HACERCE EL LOCO verbal expression: to act dumb, to pretend not to understand.
LA PELONA verbal espression: personification of death.
MAITRA OR MAISTRA mistress, proffesor.
MAITRO OR MAISTRO mister, proffesor.
MASTICAR to master, to chew.
NIņA term politely address to a woman, Ms., little girl.
NOOMBRE! verbal expression: no, do not, it is no so, hey!.
NUAY verbal expression: there is not, there are not.
NUES verbal expression: it is not.
PAGAR POR SUSTOS verbal expression: monthly payments, to buy something on credit.
PELON bald, bald or hairless person.
PIOR worse.
POLARIZADO dark skinned person.
PUCHICA! verbal expression of admiration or disgust: Holly cow!
RATERO thief, burglar.
SAPO obstacle, traffic divider. According to the size they could be sapitos, sapos or super-sapos.
TAMAL thief, burglar, tipical food made with corn flour.
TATA daddy, dad, father.


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