Canarian Slang

Canarian Vocabulary

If you're an Erasmus student or any other kind of traveller and you really want to understand the certain expressions they use in their native tongue well, then take note of what I'm going to say because you can easily find yourself in a conversation where you won't understand every expression that they say. We will start with the most common expressions and words they use in every day conversations.

I also have to mention that we have a lot of Canarian comedians, but without a doubt, this is the ultimate reference to them for me. I'm referring to Manolo Vieira, who uses many of these Canarian words in his monologues and shows, as he tells stories from every day Canarian life with a touch of his own humour. He is the best, there's no doubt about it. I had the chance to take a photo with him after one of his shows in his top hat, and weirdly it was his birthday. I even listen to his CDs and watch his shows now and they keep making me laugh. His way of telling stories is one of a kind. And how could I not add the photo:

• Se me fue el baifo: This doesn't mean that the animal went to go and graze nor suckle from their mothers, it means that you have forgotten something that you had to do or simply that you just don't remember.

• Estoy abollado: It means that you just finished eating something past your capabilities and you're very full.

• Alongarse: When you lean against a wall.

• Eso es un arretranco - arritranco: It could be an old object that no one uses, or a useless person.

• ¿Vámonos de belingo? : Let's go out tonight and have a fantastic time. Let's go out tonight and have a fantastic time.

• Pasarlo pipa: To have a really good time.

• ¡Mira ese burgado! : Look at this slowpoke!

• Eres un cabraloca: A person who lives life without looking at any of the risks.

• Hace calufa: It's so hot that I'm roasting inside.

• Eres un cáncamo: You're very ugly.

• Estás todo cambado: This you usually say to those people who go on a night out and have three drinks too many, they walk in a weird way, or something that's a bit crooked.

• ¡Chacho - chacha! : Listen! I'm speaking to you.

• Te cuelga la chibichanga: You're well-hung.

• Estoy añurgado: When you try and swallow something that doesn't reach your stomach and you need air, time and water for it to get there.

• ¡Ños! : Expressing shock, used multiple times.

• ¡Ños que precio! : Something either so cheap or expensive that it surprises you.

• ¡Ños vaya tia! : A good looking girl.

• ¡Ños vaya tio! : A good looking guy.

• Se puso farruco: It made you really angry.

• Fleje: A lot of something.

• Guagua: Bus.

• Margullar: When you go snorkelling in the sea at Playa de Las Canteras.

• Nos echamos una pachanga: We're playing a game of football.

• Eres un pajiao: That you're in really good shape, so much so it's out of this world.

• Palique: A chatterbox.

• Hace pelete: It's so cold I'm freezing.

• Eres un aplatanado: A name given to Canarians because of the way they take so long to do their chores.

• Hola mi niño - hola mi niña: It's not that they're referring to you as a child, it's a expression of affection between people of the same family, or not. It can be used for anyone for no reason.

• Me quedé sobado: I was asleep, or napping.

• Tenderete: A huge Canarian party where your dance skills and ability to play musical instruments will be put to the test, as well as eat well.

• ¡Aguita! : Something that surprises you.

• Ponte las cholas para ir a la playa: Put your sandals on to go to the beach.

• Simplón: A way of calling someone simple, someone who gives nothing more than that.

• Asadero: a barbecue of some kind, the most important thing is eating meat.

• Vamos de belingo: Let's go on a night out that I'm not gonna remember the next day.

• ¡Pégate un buche ahí hombre! : You have to down a bit of your drink.

• ¡Machango! - ¡Machanga! : When you're doing or saying something that doesn't agree with the opinion that you have. Hypocrite.

• Déjame un fisco de chocolate: Leave me a little bit of chocolate.

• Plantar papas: To plant potatoes.

• ¡Eres un tolete! : You're an idiot. Don't confuse with toilet.

• Vamos a comer quesito "tiesno": Eating soft cheese.

• ¿Qué pasó loco? : How are you? How is everything? How's the family? Speaking in a common way.
• ¡Ños! Vaya solajera: When the rays from the sun irritate your skin and eyes.

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