Strangers in the Park: Spanish study pack

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rajarseto get out of somewhere, to leave quickly, to scram

colloquial

Used when telling someone to leave or when someone slips away. More emphatic than 'irse'. Common in Rioplatense speech.

Cuando empezó la pelea, todos se rajaron del bar.When the fight broke out, everyone scrammed from the bar.

otariosucker, fool, someone easily deceived or taken advantage of

colloquial

Classic Rioplatense term with lunfardo origins. Implies someone who lets others take advantage of them, not just someone who is unintelligent.

Se hizo el otario y pagó el doble de lo que valía el auto.He played the sucker and paid double what the car was worth.

caerto fall for something, to be tricked or deceived

colloquial

In this sense, 'caer' does not mean to physically fall but to be taken in by a joke or a story. '¡Cayó!' means 'He fell for it!' Very common in informal speech.

Le dije que había ganado un viaje y cayó completamente.I told her she'd won a trip and she fell for it completely.

engruparto trick, to deceive, to take someone in with a false story

colloquial

Rioplatense term with lunfardo roots. Stronger than 'chamuyar' in that it implies successful deception. 'Me engrupó' means 'he pulled one over on me'.

Me engrupó diciéndome que era médico y resultó que trabajaba en un quiosco.He took me in by saying he was a doctor, and it turned out he worked at a kiosk.

piqueteprotest blockade, picket line (with the specific Argentine sense of blocking streets or entrances)

In Argentina, 'piquete' carries strong political and social resonance, associated with protest movements that block roads or building entrances. It is not just a generic picket line.

Los trabajadores organizaron un piquete en la puerta de la fábrica durante toda la mañana.The workers organized a blockade at the factory entrance all morning.

linyerahomeless person, tramp, vagrant

colloquial

Rioplatense term with Italian origins. Can be used literally or humorously when describing someone sitting or lying on the ground informally.

Con ese piloto viejo y roto pareces un linyera, ponete otra cosa.With that old broken raincoat you look like a tramp, put something else on.

faloperodrug user, someone who uses illegal substances

colloquial

'Falopa' is Rioplatense slang for drugs (typically cocaine or in general). 'Falopero' is the person who uses them. The tone can be judgmental or casual depending on context.

No quería que su hijo anduviera con ese chico porque todos decían que era un falopero.She didn't want her son hanging out with that kid because everyone said he was a drug user.

embaladoon a roll, fired up, going full speed, feeling pumped or energized

colloquial

Describes someone who is moving fast, speaking rapidly, or in an enthusiastic energized state. Often used to say someone is on a winning streak or cannot be stopped.

Ojo con interrumpirla cuando está embalada porque no para más.Be careful about interrupting her when she's on a roll because she won't stop.

Strangers in the Park

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