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90 Common Slang Words in Chile

90 Common Slang Words in Chile

     Chilean Spanish is tough, and not for the faint of heart. One of the most difficult aspects is trying to master or just get the hang of even one-fifth of the slang words and phrases used in Chile, most of which are not used anywhere else. Look at pages 2 through 4 in this edition of Las Últimas Noticias to find out what I mean. Read and look up the 90 slang words it lists, such as “¿qué onda?”, “hacer la pega”, “chao, pescao”, “andar meado de gato”, “cahcái”, “está pedido”, “Condoro”, “mojarse el potito”, “estamos fritos”, “rallar la papa”, “dejar como chaleco de mono”, “flaite”, “peinar la muñeca” and “patas negras.” There are around 3,000 slang words and phrases in the famous little lexicon (which you should get) called How to Survive in the Chilean Jungle 2 by Brennan and Tabaoda. Everyone wanting to come and live in Chile should have this book and read it regularly. After you are done with that 90 word exercise, try to see how much of the comedian at this link you can understand. He is making jokes or fun of sayings surrounding Chilean Independence Day (September 18th). Have fun! 
     Note: do not be discouraged. Native speakers from Chile do not understand the comedian perfectly, even though they do know nearly all the slang in the newspaper. Foreigners who speak Spanish as their first language are perplexed by both things, and people like me who have lived in Chile a long time (including those with Chilean spouses) will struggle to know 20% of the slang words and understand more than one-half of what the comedian is saying. So you are in good company. Nevertheless, Pimsler and Rosetta Stone simply will not cut it for fluency in the Chilean tongue.


     On a brighter note, your place of refuge in Chile is in Freedom Orchard. Check it out. Also, be sure to tune in to Dr. Cobin’s radio program: “Red Hot Chile” at noon (ET) on Fridays on the Overseas Radio Network (ORN). You can login at www.overseasradio.com. You can also join the thousands of other people who download the shows each month via the link provided on the ORN website (recorded show updated every Monday morning). Be sure, too, to visit www.allaboutchile.com for discussion and forums about the country.


     Dr. Cobin’s book, Life in Chile: A Former American’s Guide for Newcomers, is the most comprehensive treatise on Chilean life ever written, designed to help newcomers get settled in Chile. He covers almost ever topic imaginable for immigrants. This knowledge is applied in his valet consulting service (see http://www.chile-consulting.cl), where he guides expatriates through the process of finding a place to live and settle in Chile, helping them glide over the speed bumps that they would otherwise face in getting their visas, setting up businesses, buying real estate, investing in Chilean stocks or gold coins, etc. The cost is $49. If you have problems getting the book through the Overseasradio.com site, since the ORN Store is sometimes closed for maintenance, please use the PayPal info noted below.

     Dr. Cobin’s sequel book, Expatriates to Chile: Topics for Living, adds even further depth on important topics to expatriates who either live in Chile already or who have Chile on the short list of countries where they hope to immigrate. The book deals with crucial issues pertaining to urban and rural real estate transactions, natural disasters, issues pertaining to emigration and its urgency, money and the quality of life, medical care and insurance, business opportunities, social manifestations (including welfare state and divorce policy concerns), Chile in the freedom indices, social maladies (lying, cheating, stealing and murder), as well as discussion of a few places worth visiting and some further comments about Santiago. Note: If the link to buy the book at the Overseasradio.com site does not appear, since the ORN Store is sometimes closed for maintenance, just send US$39 by PayPal to jcobin@policyofliberty.net and send an email or PayPal notice that you have completed your order. A download link will be sent to you directly. 

    The Overseasradio.com website also has Dr. Cobin’s abridged book (56 pages): Chile: A Primer for Expats ($19), or the little book can also be obtained directly by following the aforementioned PayPal steps.

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