As my own Spanish has slowly improved,¹ I’ve found an increasing appreciation of the unique Spanish spoken here in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rican Spanish is commonly grouped with that of other Caribbean countries. While similar to Dominican and Cuban accents, there are noticeable differences.² I was surprised to learn that the most similar accent to Puerto Rican is the Spanish spoken in the Canary Islands (which are part of Spain). Many of the first Spanish people to arrive in Puerto Rico came from those islands, as well as from the south of Spain, and they brought the unique characteristics of their language with them.³

Spanish mixed with the language of the native people living here, the Taíno. Many Taíno words are used today, including the names of many locations and towns.⁴ Spanish also mixed with the languages of the slaves brought from Africa. The end result of these colliding linguistic traditions is a unique, rhythmic and beautiful-in-its-own-way Spanish dialect spoken here in PR.

Or, in the words of my brother-in-law, “We took Spanish and threw some mantequilla (butter) on it!”

Below are some of my favorite words and phrases I’ve picked up since living here.

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Borinquen – The Taíno name for Puerto Rico (also spelled Borikén). A “boricua” is someone from Puerto Rico. Also, I learned that the city of San Juan used to be called Puerto Rico and the island was named San Juan, but these were later swapped.

Bregar – This is a verb that means “to deal with (something),” but in the sense that it’s not really something you’d want to deal with in the first place (Google translates the verb as “to struggle.”⁵) For example, when my baby’s poop shoots out the sides of his diaper, “yo brego con esto.”

Comemierda – this literally means “someone who eats shit,” which I find hilarious. It’s used to describe snooty or stuck up people who value their high status and everything that comes along with it. It is said that many comemierdas are concentrated in Guaynabo.

¿Tengo la boca cuadrá (cuadrada)? – Literally, “Do I have a square mouth?” You can say this if you’re at a meal or hanging out and everyone else is being served but you. “Hello, tengo la boca cuadrá? I’d like more wine please.”

Zafacón – a trashcan. The word supposedly comes from the English words “Safety Can,” which was written on the trashcans used by the US Navy. Over the years, this became Spanish-ified.

¿Que es la que hay? – Literally, “what is it that is?” It’s basically “What’s up”. I’ve heard variations of it, such as “¿que es la que?” or “¿que hay?”

Bibi and bobo – a bibi is a bottle, a bobo is a pacifier. I’m learning lots of baby terms these days, but these two I always mix up because I’m a bobo (bobo also means “fool” or “dummy”).

Quedarse jamona – This means “to remain a spinster.” One example of its use: If someone sweeps under a single woman’s feet, it will curse her to remain unmarried for the rest of her life. Or, in other words, “se va a quedar jamona!”

Pana – Pana is breadfruit, a common fruit here, but it’s also the term for a close friend. “I’m going to the beach to hang con mis panas.”

Chapusería – This word has taken new meaning now that we are first time homeowners. It’s sort of like “MacGyver’ing”⁶ something, but with a clear lack of quality. In other words, it’s shoddy workmanship. I’ve done many “chapuserías” around the house, but if they work, they work!

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Revolú – a mess. Like “look at this revolú in the kitchen, we need to do the dishes!”

Algarete – it’s like revolú, but stronger (and algarete is an adjective, revolú is a noun). I’ve seen it used to mean “out of control” or “wild.” For example, when they opened the first Chick-Fil-A in Puerto Rico, the drive through line was algarete!

Vete ‘pal (para al) carajo – This is a curse word that roughly translates as “go to hell.” My understanding is that carajo isn’t the same as the biblical hell, home of satan, but rather just a really bad place. People like to tell the newly privatized energy company, Luma, “Vete pal carajo!” and I agree.

Cabrón – this literally means a male goat, but in PR it’s a curse word with both negative and positive connotations. You can call your close friend a cabrón to say hi, or you can yell at the guy cutting you off in traffic. It can describe something that’s incredible, like “that view of the ocean is bien cabrona.” I might dedicate a later blog post to this word because of the subtle differences in uses (like how, in English, the subtle difference between “this cake is shit” and “this cake is the shit.”)

Parquear – to park (a car). Gotta love the Spanglish!⁷

Janguiar – to hang out, another Spanglish verb. “Estamos janguiando en La Placita” = “We’re hanging out in La Placita!”

Soy chumbo- “I’m flat butted.” Puerto Ricans aren’t known for flat butts, which in this author’s humble opinion is great. I, however, am “chumbo.”

La ñapa – This is the free shot or coffee/etc that a restaurant will bring you after a meal. My wife says this when our baby likes to linger on a boob or a bottle for a little too long.

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1. Thank you to everyone who has given me positive feedback on my Spanish. Learning a language as an adult is hard, so these words of encouragement are very helpful!
2. I found this video that shows some of the differences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdWI2o4ib5s
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rican_Spanish – Wikipedia is allowed on my blog as a source. Take that, college professors!
4. Some words from the Taíno: hamaca (hammock), hurakán (hurricane), and tabaco (tobacco). Places with Taíno names include Arecibo, Bayamón, Caguas, Canóvanas, Guaynabo, Luquillo, Mayagüez, and Vieques (also from Wikipedia).
5. There’s a great podcast called “La Brega” that’s available in both Spanish and English, that mixes story telling and journalism to share aspects of Puerto Rico’s history. You can check it out here, and I know it’s also on Spotify.
6. https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/what-does-macgyver-mean-slang-definition
7. One helpful tip I’ve learned is that if you don’t know the word for something, say it in English but with a Spanish accent, and that usually works. I’ll never forget when I asked my wife how to say “laundry” and she replied, “londri.”