GLOSSARY

a machetazos—By machete blows.

abrazo—Embrace, hug.

Abue—Short for abuelita, grandmother.

¡Alto!—Stop!

asesinos—Killers.

aterrado—Terrified.

azúcar—Sugar.

Bandidos—Bandits.

Belén—A girl’s name.

Bestia—Beast.

brincar—To jump.

bruja—Witch.

cabrón—Jerk.

cacahuates—Peanuts.

café—Coffee.

cálmate—Calm down.

casa—House.

Cejas—Eyebrows.

chile—Chili pepper.

chones—Slang for calzones, underwear.

cocina—Kitchen.

comales—Griddles.

compañero—Comrade.

completamente—Completely.

coyote—Paid smuggler of migrants across borders.

desayuno—Breakfast.

diez—Ten.

dinero—Money.

¡Dios mío!—My God!

dulces—Sweets.

el—The (masculine).

El Alacrán—The Scorpion.

El Chavo Viejo—The Old Kid.

El Norte—The North, United States.

eucalipto—Eucalyptus tree.

exceso—Excess.

fantasmas—Phantoms.

frijoles—Beans.

frontera—Border.

Gansitos—Little Geese (brand name).

gracias—Thank you.

gracias a Dios—Thank God.

grillos—Crickets.

Gringolandia—United States.

guarros—Pigs.

hasta—Until.

hermanito—Little brother.

hermano—Brother.

hola—Hello.

¡Idiota!—Idiot!

¡Igual!—Same to you!

inquieto—Restless.

la—The (feminine).

¡Ladrona!—Thief!

“Las mañanitas”—Mexican birthday song.

lobo—Wolf.

loco—Crazy.

Los Intensos—The intense ones.

maíz—Corn.

maldito—Bad guy.

’mano—Bro.

¡Me mataron!—They killed me!

“México lindo y querido”—Mexico lovely and dear (song title).

mi viejito—My old man.

milpita—Little corn plot.

momia—Mummy.

monstruo—Monster.

morral—Bag.

muchas gracias—Many thanks.

¡Muévete, güey!—Move it, moron!

niño—Child.

no problema—Spanglish for no problem.

nopales—Prickly pear cactus.

novia—Girlfriend.

órale—Hurry up.

oye, chavo—Listen, kid.

palomitas—Popcorn.

panza—Belly.

papas—Potatoes.

Pásale—Come in.

pelo—Hair.

pelón—Bald.

pena—Embarrassment.

¡Pendejo!—Moron, dummy.

pesitos—Little pesos.

peso—Mexican money.

petate—Woven mat.

picantes—Spicy.

Pingüinos—Penguins (brand name).

poco a poco—Little by little.

polis—Police.

pollito—Chick.

popó—Dung.

por Dios—For God’s sake.

pueblito—Small village.

¡Púfalas!—Poof!

pulgada—Inch.

pulpo—Octopus.

Que Dios lo bendiga a usted—God bless you (formal).

Que Dios te bendiga—God bless you (informal).

qué guapo—How handsome.

¡Qué lástima!—What a pity!

¡Qué rico!—How delicious!

ramo—Bouquet.

rateros—Thieves.

relámpago—Lightning.

Río Bravo—A river that is a natural border between parts of Mexico and the United States (where it is called the Rio Grande).

ruedacacas—Dung beetles.

sarape—Shawl.

Señor—Mister.

Señora—Lady.

—Yes.

simpático—Likeable.

¡Socorro!—Help!

solamente sal—Only salt.

¡Suerte!—Good luck!

tamal—Tamale, cornmeal mixture with filling like pork.

Tejas—Texas.

tejas—Tiles.

tiendita—Small store.

tipos—Guys.

tlayudas—Large, chewy tortillas.

tortas—Sandwiches.

trabalenguas—Tongue twister.

tren—Train.

un—One (masculine).

vaqueros—Cowboy movies.

Vaya con Dios—Go with God.

Váyase, señora—Go, lady.

velas—Candles.

viajando de mosca—Traveling like a fly.

Vida—Life.

vocabulario—Vocabulary.