Envious S02E11: Spanish study pack

Show 7 more expressions

patear para adelanteto kick something down the road, to keep postponing

colloquial

A very common metaphor for indefinite postponement. Implies avoidance rather than cancellation, the thing is always coming 'later'.

Siempre patea para adelante la conversación importante y nunca la tenemos.She always kicks the important conversation down the road and we never end up having it.

chivarto trick, to fool, to pull someone's leg

colloquial

Estoy chivando means I'm messing with you / joking. Widely used in River Plate Spanish for playful deception.

No te preocupes, te estaba chivando, todo está bien.Don't worry, I was just messing with you, everything is fine.

rayadacrazy, worked up, a mess emotionally

colloquial

From rayar (to scratch/go off the rails). Describes someone who is emotionally dysregulated, obsessing, or behaving erratically. Not a clinical term, more like 'I'm a wreck right now'.

Perdón si digo cosas sin sentido, estoy rayada desde esta mañana.Sorry if I'm saying things that don't make sense, I've been a wreck since this morning.

escabullirseto slip away, to sneak off

colloquial

Implies quiet, furtive departure, sneaking out without being noticed or without facing consequences.

Se escabulló antes de que terminara la reunión y nadie lo vio salir.He slipped away before the meeting ended and no one saw him leave.

whateverwhatever, etcetera, and so on

colloquial

The English word used as a filler or list-closer in informal Argentine speech, especially among younger urban speakers. Signals vagueness or indifference to specifics.

Necesito el contrato, los documentos, el formulario, whatever.I need the contract, the documents, the form, whatever.

pafbam, just like that, snap (sound/gesture of sudden impact)

colloquial

An onomatopoeic word used to convey sudden, dramatic change or impact. Often accompanied by a hand gesture. Equivalent to 'boom' or 'bam' in English informal speech.

Todo iba bien y de repente, paf, se cayó el sistema.Everything was going fine and suddenly, bam, the system crashed.

capogreat, awesome, a pro (person who handles things well)

colloquial

Originally from Italian via lunfardo. Used as a compliment meaning someone is capable, impressive, or cool. Can be used as a noun or adjective.

Resolvió todo el problema en diez minutos. Un capo.He solved the whole problem in ten minutes. What a pro.

A Perfect Breakfast

Expressions to listen for

Key vocabulary