En Route to Potosí

Used to express total rejection or frustration with someone or something. Softer than its English equivalent 'to hell with', but carries real irritation.

One of the most important timing words in Mexican and Mexican-American Spanish. Its exact meaning shifts with context and tone, it can mean immediately, very soon, or at some vague future point. Learners consistently misread it as always meaning 'right now.'

Diminutive of maldillo/maldilla, suggesting someone is a bit crooked or not entirely trustworthy. The diminutive softens the criticism slightly. Regional to Bolivian/Andean Spanish.

Used to question or affirm whether someone is capable or reliable enough. Often heard in contexts of trust or competence.

Extremely common in Mexican Spanish as an expression of strong surprise, disbelief, or protest. Technically crude but widely used even in casual mixed company in Mexican and Mexican-American speech.

Andean Spanish (Bolivia, Peru) insult equivalent to calling someone an idiot or fool. Fairly strong; used here in frustration between colleagues. Less familiar to Mexican-background learners.

Used in this dialogue in a Latin American context to mean money, parallel to 'lana.' Less universally known than lana among Mexican-background learners in the US but widely understood.