Latin American Glossary

Glossary

This glossary covers words and expressions mostly Spanish or of local origin for all countries in South and Central America, or, when specified, a particular country.

Aguardiente: cane alcohol or similar.

Albergue: equivalent of a youth hostel.

Altiplano (Andean countries): high plains of the Andes mountain range.

Amazonie et Amazone: the largest forest and the river with the greatest flow in the world, at the heart of South America.

Andes: "THE" mountain (and volcanic) range of Latin America, stretching from Tierra del Fuego to Venezuela, with Aconcagua (6,959 m) as its highest peak.

Aymara (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru): one of the main populations (and languages) traditionally inhabiting the high-altitude regions, also called Kolla.

Aztèques: pre-Columbian society that unified Mexico in the 14th century before collapsing under Cortés two centuries later.

Bahia: bay.

Barrio: neighborhoods.

Bocas (mainly Central America): appetizers equivalent to tapas.

Bodega: a wine bar but often just a bar.

Bossa nova (Brazil): a musical blend of jazz and Brazilian influences.

Cabana: originally more or less a beach hut, which can actually be very comfortable as it is increasingly offered to tourists as accommodation, especially around the Caribbean.

Caboclo (Brazil): mixed-race of African and Indigenous descent ("zambo" in other countries).

Cachaça (Brazil): Brazil’s national drink made from cane rum.

Cacique: Indigenous chief, mainly from the pre-Columbian era.

Calle: street.

Camion: one of the transport methods used by everyone in Andean countries. These are usually trucks with open trailers.

Campesino: peasant.

Candomblé (Brazil): primarily in the Salvador da Bahia region, an Afro-Brazilian religion that also incorporates Christian rites. Similar to Vodou in Haiti or Santería in Cuba.

Capoeira (Brazil): originating from the Bahia region, a blend of dance and martial art.

Carioca (Brazil): resident of Rio.

Carnaval: in Rio, but also in Bahia or the rest of Brazil, and even in Cayenne, a tradition worth experiencing.

Carretera: paved road, though not always in good condition.

Cartel (Colombia):...of Medellín or others; a "family" of drug traffickers.

Casa de cambio: exchange bureau, often competing with or replaced by street money changers.

Cerro (Andean countries): mountain summit.

Cerveceria: equivalent of a brewery.

Cerveza: beer; widely consumed everywhere.

Ceviche: raw fish marinated in lime; very common in Latin America.

Changeur des rues: present in some countries, they replace (or compete with) "casa de cambio" when these are absent. More or less official and very useful for travelers, with generally low risk (but it’s best to know the exchange rate beforehand).

Charango (Andean countries): stringed musical instrument.

Che Guevara: mythical figure of Latin America and Cuba; among other things, born in Argentina and died in Bolivia.

Chicha (Andean countries): popular alcohol usually made from fermented corn or sweet potatoes.

Cholo(a): peasant who has become urban but continues to wear "traditional" clothing.

Ciudad: city.

Coca: shrub whose leaves have a widely recognized stimulating effect in Andean regions and are also used to produce cocaine. The basis of a certain economy in Colombia and other parts of Latin America.

Colectivo: ubiquitous, these are, depending on the country, buses, minibuses, or shared taxis that pick up as many people as possible and only leave when full. Sometimes referred to by other names, such as "por puesto" in Venezuela.

Comedor: dining room or cafeteria.

Comida coriente: "dish of the day" in many countries ("prato do dia" in Brazil), often corresponding to local cuisine.

Conquistador: Spanish nobles and adventurers who set out to conquer the Americas in the 16th century.

Cordillere: mountainous area.

Cuadra (mainly Central America): a city block.

Darien: jungle region separating Panama from Colombia, and thus Central America from South America. A real challenge for travelers as it is impassable by land.

Dictatures: often military and supported by the Americans. A common reality in most Latin American countries until a few years ago; from Somoza (Nicaragua) to Pinochet (Chile), including Stroessner (Paraguay) and many others.

Dollar US: in some cases, it can replace the local currency; small bills are preferred. That said, the euro exchanges very well in all countries.

Enfert vert: another highly descriptive term for the Amazon rainforest.

Espagnol: except for Brazil and the Guianas, the language of all other Latin American countries. Learning the basics is more than useful for enjoying your trip.

Estancia: large livestock farm employing (and often exploiting) local peasants.

Estacion de ferrocarril: train station; increasingly rare due to the disappearance of trains in most countries.

Favela (Brazil): shantytown.

Fazenda (Brazil): large agricultural or livestock farm employing (and often exploiting) local peasants. Their owners are called fazenderos.

Ferrobus (Andean countries): rail bus.

Forro (Brazil): music from the Northeast.

Garifuna: descendants of escaped slaves from the island of St. Vincent who occupy the Caribbean coast of southern Belize or northern Honduras. They generally speak a distinctive form of English.

Garimperos (Brazil): gold prospectors in the Amazon rainforest; often in conflict with Indigenous peoples.

Gaucho (mainly Argentina): cattle herder.

Gringo: refers to a foreigner of European origin but especially an American. Not always a compliment in the latter case; it’s best to approach people in their language or clarify that you are not from the United States.

Guerilla: very numerous not so long ago in Latin America for political and/or social reasons; from those in Central America and Colombia to the Shining Path (Peru), including the Tupamaros (Uruguay).

Hacienda: roughly the same as a fazenda in Brazil. Other terms are used depending on the country.

Hamac: from the Amazon rainforest to Central America, a true institution for napping or sleeping. Useful to bring one, especially if you’re exploring the Amazon.

Hospejade: small hotel or backpacker guesthouse.

Huaquero (or guaquero): looter of archaeological sites.

Huipil: sleeveless white tunic with colorful embroidery, worn especially in southern Mexico or Guatemala.

Iglesias: churches. Very numerous in Latin American countries given the importance of (Catholic) religion. Many date from the Spanish (or Portuguese) era and feature remarkable architecture.

Incas: pre-Columbian empire of the Andean region, centered in Cusco, Peru. It reached its peak in the 15th century before collapsing in 1532 under the Spanish.

Lancha: small boat.

Mariachi (Mexico): traditional Mexican musical group (sombrero, guitar, trumpets, etc.). Common in bars and restaurants, especially touristy ones.

Mate (Paraguay and neighboring regions): a type of herbal tea, a true daily ritual in the country.

(cama) matrimonial: double bed.

Mayas: pre-Columbian society spanning from southern Mexico to northern Honduras, known for its pyramids (Tikal, Palenque...) and its science (writing, astronomy...). In decline by the time the Spanish arrived.

Mercado: market.

Mestizo: mixed-race of Indigenous and Spanish (or more broadly European) descent.

Métro (French Guiana): refers to a French person from mainland France.

Mulato: mixed-race of African and European descent.

Museo: museum.

Nég marron (the Guianas): descendant of escaped slaves living in the forest.

Orixas (Brazil): gods of Afro-Brazilian religions like Candomblé.

Parada: bus stop.

Parque nacional: national park; very numerous, especially in Costa Rica.

Paseo: a public thoroughfare or space, and more broadly, the act of going out for a stroll in the late afternoon, as is particularly common in Mexico.

Paulista (Brazil): resident of São Paulo.

Playa: beach.

Plaza: or sometimes also "parque". Square. A place widely enjoyed by locals who like to stroll there in the late afternoon.

Portenos (Argentina): resident of Buenos Aires.

Précolombien: refers to everything corresponding to the era before Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas, i.e., before the early 16th century.

Propina: tip.

Puerto: port.

Quechua (Andean countries): language spoken by the Andean populations, directly linked to Inca culture.

Quena (Andean countries): wooden flute.

Refresco: non-alcoholic drink, most often a soda.

Révolutions et coups d'états: practically a national sport until recently in many Latin American countries. In this category, Honduras has seen 160 changes of government, 24 wars, and 260 armed revolts in 150 years, or Bolivia with its 200 changes of power.

Rio: river.

Ruana (mainly Colombia): wool poncho.

Salar (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia): salt desert (or lake) in the Andean highlands. The most famous is the Uyuni Salt Flat between Chile and Bolivia.

Seringeros (Brazil): latex harvesters in the Amazon rainforest.

Soroche (Andean countries): altitude sickness.

Tango (Argentina): originally the dance of the gauchos, now widely popular in Argentina (and elsewhere).

Tienda: small shop.

Toltèques: pre-Columbian society that dominated northern Mexico from the 10th century until the arrival of the Aztecs in the 14th century.

Touloulou (French Guiana): woman dressed in a special costume during the carnival (which lasts several weeks). Part of the local culture and involves certain rituals.

Vigogne (Andean countries): wild cousin of the llama and alpaca living in the high plateaus of the Andes.

Volcans: very numerous, including active ones, in all mountainous regions of Latin America.

Yacaré: South American alligator.