List of Puerto Rican Slang Words and Phrases - C

C

• Cabrón - Literally, ram, the male goat. It implies a cuckold, a person whose loved one is being unfaithful. A bad situation or object. Depending on the context, it is also used when something or someone is very good as the word "Bad" when you mean something is really cool. It's also a derogatory word you can use to insult someone, like for example: "You bitch" (so puta)...so cabrona. Additionally the masculine term cabrón is commonly used by male teenagers and young men to refer to each other as "dude".
• Cágate en tu madre - Literally, "Spew your shit on your mother". Equates to "Fuck you!" in force and effect. See "Me cago en tu madre".
• Cállate la boca - Shut your mouth.
• Cantaso - A hard hit to someone or to oneself such as it occurs by accident. Similar to "Guatapanazo.
• Canto - A 'piece' of something. "Mira canto de cabrón!" ("Hey, piece of shit!) Sexually speaking, "canto" refers to the reproductive organs. "No te voy a dar el canto" ("Im not going to give my 'piece" or "I'm not going to let you have sex with me") To get or give a "piece".
• Carajo - Again carajo literally means the tip of the main mast. But it also means tons of things; i.e.: "estás del carajo = you're too much, you're way out of line. vete pa'l carajo...go to hell!! Again carajo, the true meaning in Spanish, was the worst place to be sent on an ancient ship(caravel). There are too many meanings to list here.
• Cerrao - Contraction of the participle tense 'cerrado'; dim-witted. Used to describe dumb person, person lacking common sense some who is "mentally closed"
• Chacón - reference to Iris Chacón, a voluptuous vedette or TV singer/dancer with a variety show in the 1970s-80s. The slang term usually refers to a voluptuous butt and hips.
• Changuería - This term is used to describe a kid that has a fit (rage): like after his parents do not buy him something he wanted, or he doesn't get to do something he wanted to do . The term is also used to describe the behaviour of a kid that is exaggeratingly acting up (either for been very sad, not wanting to do something, or just too happy). A kid in this type of situations, is said to have "changuería".
• Chapuseria - Literally, something "Haphazardly" done. Something completed just to get it over with. "Chapusero", someone who usually does this kind of haphazard or sub-standard work.
• Charlatán - the same as the universal 'charlatan'. "Clown". Used when referring to someone that acts foolish or disorderly.
• Chavos - Money. Chavito - A Penny, the one-cent coin. A contraction of Old Spanish, 'ochavo': one-eighth; 'pieces of eight'. During Renaissance, the coin was the doblón in English 'doubloon'. A thin and wide silver coin with notches which you could bend into 8 pizza like slices: 'piezas de a ocho', 'ochavos'= pieces of eight'. The Royal Treasury would account and re-smelt all the pieces at the end of the fiscal period, those that were not stolen by English pirates.
• Chévere - "Cool"
• Un Chililin - "Just a drop (a little bit)"
• Chillo - A lover. "Chilla" (Mistress).
• China - An orange fruit. The term originated from a brand of oranges that came to Puerto Rico in the 19th century, advertised as names "Naranjas de la China/Oranges from China" China in PR is the color orange and the fruit. naranja, which is used for oranges in most Spanish speaking countries, only refers to the bitter orange in Puerto Rico.
• Chinchorrear - To go bar hopping. To hang out at bars. "Chinchorro", a small, unassuming bar everyone hangs out at.
• Chiringa- Kite, in other Spanish-speaking countries is called "cometa" ("comet") after the tail.
• Chiripa - Odd job. "Chiripas", odd jobs. "Chiripiar", doing odd jobs
• Chingar - To have sex.
• Chivo - literally, "billy goat", a mistake done while house painting the walls/ceiling/etc. When one finds a spot on the wall that was left unpainted (or missed a second coat), the spot itself is called a "chivo".
• Chocha- it's the lupine seed, but it is a very vulgarly word used to refer to the female genitalia. See also: "Crica".
• Chola - Head.
• Chota - Whistle-blower. Snitch.
• ¡Chúpate esa en lo que te raspan (o mondan) la otra! - Suck on that one while they make the other one."How do you like them (those) apples". Comes from "Piragua" snow cones. Is used when someone is being disciplined (usually your sibling)..."o te mondan la otra" referring to peeling an orange...
• Cocotazo - A hit on the head that leaves a bump, especially when done by someone with the knuckles of his/her fist.
• Cerrero- Cerro means Hill. So cerrero pertaining to the hills. For people it equates to a well-meaning but rustic hillbilly. For an animal that has strayed away from humans, taken to the hills. "Caballo cerroro" (A wild horse).
• Coger pon - To catch a ride.
• Coger sereno - Sereno is 'serene', but also the cold, damp, unhealthy night air, to catch the cold of the night.
• Cogerlo a pecho - Literally means "To take in the chest". Equates 'take it to heart'. It is used when someone takes something too seriously, or when someone got easily offended by something.
• Colgarse - Literally, it translates as "to get hanged." Equates to "To fail/flunk in school."
• Come-mierda - Literally, "Shit eater." It's used when referring to a petulant know-it-all. A person who thinks or acts like he/she is all-knowing and/or all-deserving, also someone of a higher social status who prefers to not mingle with persons of perceived lower status. Essentially, it means "snob" or "arrogant person."
• Como coco- Literally, "like coconut". Refers to something or someone been strong or resistant.
• Como la puerca de Juan Bobo - Juan Bobo, or John Ninny. Originates from a popular Puerto Rican folktale a classical PR literary character. He was a dim-witted hillbilly. He wasn't allowed to take his sow (pig) to a party so he dressed it in full woman's clothing and took it the party. The sow, being a pig, wreaked havoc at the feast. Used to refer to a woman that overdoes makeup and accessories to the point of looking ridiculous.
• Con las manos en la masa - Literally, "With the hands on the dough". Equates to "With the hands in the cookie jar". To be caught in the act.
• Confianzú -Contraction of "Confianzudo". A person that is too forward, comes on strong or is too confident. Somebody that is bold to the point of making people uncomfortable and does/says things that might be considered disrespectful."¡Ese muchacho es bien confianzú! Me acaba de conocer y ya me dió un abrazo y un beso en la mejilla." (That guy is so forward! He just met me and he already hugged me and kissed my cheek.)
• Coño - Universal Spanish expression, said usually as an exclamation, sometimes when a person accidentally hurts themselves. "Dammit" "Shit". It literally means a woman's crotch, so it is generally used only among friends.
• Corazón de melón - Literally "mellon's heart", the sweetest part of the fruit. It equates to the American "Sweetie pie", a term of endearment to or about someone with a big heart.
• Correrle la máquina or Seguirle la corriente - "To keep a joke going at someone's expense", "to follow someone's lead incredulously", or "to tell others to with the intention of laughing at them behind their back."
• Crica - Vulgar noun for female genitalia. For example, "Me cago en la crica de tu madre" (Literally, "I shit on your mother's crotch". Equates somewhat to "Fuck you!", and is extremely insulting.).
• Cuando Colón baje el dedo translates into "When Columbus puts his finger down". Equates to "When H-e-ll freezes over", in reference to a sculpture of Christopher Columbus in Plaza Colon in Old San Juan. When the Christopher Columbus sculpture is viewed from distance it gives to the observer an optical illusion like a hand pointing towards the sky when actually the focus is a raised flagpole. In fact the statue of Columbus is not pointing at anything because one arm is holding a Spanish Flag meanwhile the other arm is just extended like giving thanks, The expression is used to signify that something will never happen. Ex.: ¿Cuando te vas a casar con esa mujer?...(answer:)¡Cuando Colón baje el dedo! ("When are you marrying that woman?... When Columbus puts his finger down (or, When hell freezes over)." Maybe turn actually to say Cuando Ponce de León baje el dedo... a reference to the statue of Ponce de León in front of the old Church of San José.
• Cuando San Juan baje el dedo Same as above but refers to the statue of San Juan in front of the capitol building in which the right hand index finger points to the sky.
• Culan - Literally meaning "engine coolant", it refers to the female derrière due to its similarity with the synonymous culo. Popularized by entertainer Iris Chacón in a car commercial for Amalie Coolant.
• Culeco - Slang misspelling of 'clueca' or 'clueco', 'broody', as in broody hen'. A person who is excited with a gain or with long-awaited good news.
• Culo - Butt.