A Time For Bravery: Spanish study pack

Show 6 more expressions

achisoh dear; oh wow; hm (mild exclamation of feigned or genuine surprise)

colloquial

A softening exclamation often used when someone wants to appear innocently surprised or play dumb. Can carry irony or understatement.

Achis, no me había dado cuenta de que ya era tan tarde.Oh dear, I hadn't realized it was already so late.

hacerse pendejoto play dumb; to pretend not to know something

vulgar

A very common Mexican expression. 'Pendejo' alone is a vulgar insult (roughly 'idiot'), but 'hacerse pendejo' means to deliberately feign ignorance, often to avoid trouble. The meaning is entirely non-compositional.

No te hagas pendejo, sabés perfectamente de qué te estoy hablando.Don't play dumb, you know perfectly well what I'm talking about.

talónto hustle; to work the streets (talonear: to grind or hustle at something from an early age, often street-level work)

colloquial

Used here in the form 'taloneando'. In this context it refers to working street-level operations from a young age. The exact meaning shifts with context but always implies grinding, low-level hustle.

Lleva años taloneando en el mercado para ayudar a su familia.He's been hustling at the market for years to help his family.

changarrosmall business; little operation (often informal or street-level)

colloquial

Refers to a small, often informal business or personal enterprise. Used affectionately or dismissively depending on context. Does not translate directly from its component sounds.

Abrió su changarro de jugos en la esquina y le va bastante bien.She opened her little juice stand on the corner and it's going pretty well.

lambiscónsuck-up; flatterer; brownnoser

colloquial

Describes someone who flatters a superior to gain favor. Carries mild contempt. From 'lambisconear', to lick excessively. Very Mexican in flavor.

No seas lambiscón, que el jefe ya sabe que lo hacés para conseguir el ascenso.Don't be a suck-up, the boss already knows you're doing it to get the promotion.

malagradecidoungrateful person; someone who bites the hand that feeds them

colloquial

Stronger and more emotionally loaded than just 'ingrato'. Used as a direct accusation of betrayal of trust or loyalty, especially after a mentor-protégé relationship.

Después de todo lo que hice por él, se fue sin decir nada. Un malagradecido.After everything I did for him, he left without saying a word. An ungrateful wretch.

A Time For Bravery

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