From ‘puchis’ to ‘shute’: A guide to understanding Guatemalan Spanish

If you feel like you're in a daze when you hear the words 'puchis' or 'aguas', this guide to Guatemalan idioms is for you. So, here you can become an expert in the Guatemalan language!

Amigos conversando en Atitlán Café Bar

Guatemala is not only a land of volcanoes and impressive landscapes, but also of a unique and flavorful Spanish. If you have ever heard words like puchis , chispudo or shute and you didn't understand a word, don't worry, we'll explain everything here. In this guide you will discover the most popular idioms of the Chapines so that you can speak like a true Guatemalan. So, get ready, because the lesson begins here!

The Chapin dictionary

✅ Watch out! – Warning to be careful or alert. ( Example: “Watch out for traffic!”)

✅ Cool – Something nice, cool, or of good quality. ( Example: "That mural turned out really cool.")

✅ Puchis – Expression of surprise or amazement. ( Example: "Puchis, how cold it is today!")

✅ Batteries – Being attentive, being smart, or acting quickly. ( Example: "Batteries, the movie is about to start.")

✅ Sho – Guatemalan way of asking for silence. ( Example: "Sho! Don't make noise.")

✅ Shute – A nosy or curious person. ( Example: "Don't be a shute, that's not your problem.")

✅ Chispudo – Someone skilled, intelligent, or a quick learner. ( Example: "That guy is very clever when it comes to business.")

✅ Nail – Problem or difficult situation. ( Example: "I have a big nail in my car.")

✅ Mucha – A way of referring to a group of people, such as "people" or "friends". ( Example: "¡Mucha, qué plans para el finde?")

✅ Cerote – Colloquial expression between friends, similar to "bro" in other countries. ( Example: "¡Qué onda, cerote!")

✅ Vos – Pronoun used instead of "you", part of the Guatemalan voseo. ( Example: "Vos, have you eaten yet?")

✅ Tushte – Stingy person. ( Example: "Don't be a stingy person, treat yourself to something.")

✅ Car – A way of calling someone dirty or careless. ( Example: "Wash your hands, pig.")

✅ Chucho – Dog, but it is also used to refer to someone who is cunning or stingy. ( Example: "That guy is a real chucho for business.")

✅ A ride – A walk without a specific destination. ( Example: "Let's go for a ride around town.")

✅ Chingadera – Anything without a specific name or something annoying. ( Example: "Get that chingadera out of there.")

✅ The river took him away – Expression to say that someone disappeared or is unknown. ( Example: "And that guy? The river took him away.")

✅ Tener huevos – To have courage or be risky. ( Example: "That guy has balls, he bungee jumped.")

✅ A verga – Being very tired or in a bad situation. ( Example: "I'm really tired after so much work.")

✅ Disorder – Chaos or disorder. ( Example: "What a mess they made at the party.")

✅ Chompipe – Turkey, but it is also used to refer to someone clumsy. ( Example: "That jerk is a chompipe to drive.")

✅ Catracha – Honduran woman. ( Example: "My girlfriend is a Honduran.")

✅ Chonte – Police or traffic officer, also equivalent to stupid. ( Example: "Watch out! Here comes the chonte, you better slow down.")

✅ Catracho – Honduran man. ( Example: "That Honduran plays soccer well.")

✅ Pull – Someone gives you a ride in their vehicle. ( Example: “Give me a ride downtown.”)

✅ Gringo – Any foreign person, especially from the U.S. ( Example: “That gringo doesn’t speak Spanish.”)

✅ Patojo – Child or young person. ( Example: "That kid plays soccer well.")

✅ Stepped on – A person who is in trouble or having a bad time. ( Example: "I'm overwhelmed with so much homework.")

✅ Choco – A person who has poor eyesight or who wears glasses. ( Example: "I can't see anything without my glasses, I'm a choco.")

✅ Tronarse – To hurt oneself, crash, or fail at something. ( Example: "I blew my top on the exam.")

✅ Rattle – To malfunction. ( Example: "My car is already rattling.")

✅ Chunche – Any object without a specific name. ( Example: "Pass me that candy over there.")

✅ Mop – To tease or joke. ( Example: "Stop mopping, man.")

✅ Talega – Something very good or impressive. ( Example: "That car is a talega.")

✅ Chispudo – A quick and intelligent person. ( Example: "That kid is very quick at school.")

✅ ¡Qué chilero! – Expression of admiration or amazement. ( Example: "How cool is that mural!")

✅ Chumpa – Jacket or coat. ( Example: "It's cold, put on your jacket.")

✅ Forward – Close friend. ( Example: “That’s my lifelong forward.”)

✅ Charas – Loose change. ( Example: “I only have a few charas in my bag.”)

✅ Hule – Serious problem. ( Example: "If I don't pay today, I'm in big trouble.")

✅ Mister – A way of referring to a foreigner, especially a gringo. ( Example: "That mister wants to know where the park is.")

Chapín Spanish is a unique blend of creativity, history, and culture. Every word and expression reflects the essence of Guatemala and the way Guatemalans see life: with humor, mischief, and a touch of wit. Now that you know these idioms, you're ready to understand and speak like a true Chapín. So the next time you hear puchis or pila pues , you won't be caught off guard. And if we missed any, leave them in the comments!