Traveling to another country is getting to know another world, no matter if you speak the same language. There will always be differences in the language that will make you feel lost, but that will make you see the opportunity to learn something new.
If you are going to Peru and suddenly you hear things like “Asumare,” and you feel you don’t understand anything: don’t worry, here we will show you ten phrases that will make you understand the language of its inhabitants.
You will discover that one of the most curious things about Peruvian speech is their love for including food in their local slang.
Contents
1. ¡Qué palta!
Something you should know is that in Peru they call avocado “palta” and although I was investigating the reason why Peruvians call avocado this way we don’t know exactly why.
Something you should know is that in Peru they call avocado “palta” and although we were investigating the reason why Peruvians call avocado this way we don’t know exactly why. And even more curious is that the expression has nothing to do with this fruit because the real meaning of ¡Qué palta! is ¡What a shame!
Example:
Me vio sin ropa, ¡qué palta!
2. Piña
In many Latin American countries, the word pineapple is used to designate a fruit. But in Peru, to be a pineapple means to have bad luck.
In Mexican Spanish, the equivalent would be “estar salado.”
Examples:
“Me quedé sin gasolina en medio de la carretera, soy un piña”.
It is also used to lament the bad luck of another. As in this example:
-Me caí de las escaleras
-Piña, pues.
3. Estar misio
It is a phrase used in Peru to say that you ran out of money.
“Después de Navidad me quedé misio”
4. Asumare
This word is a contraction of the words “ah, su madre” and is used to express surprise positively.
In English could be translated as “wow,” and in Mexican Spanish as “Órale.”
Example:
“Asumare, ¡esta cerveza está muy buena!”
5. Tirarse la pera
Apparently, in Peru, they are obsessed with fruits and do not give them their literal meaning.
In Peru, they say that someone “se tiró la pera” when instead of going to school or work is obligatory, they go somewhere else to have fun.
In Mexican Spanish, the equivalent expression would be “irse de pinta.”
Example
“Pedro no vino ayer a la escuela porque se tiró la pera”.
6. Oe
It is one of the most used expressions in Peru. It is generally used to get your interlocutor’s attention; it is used as in other Spanish-speaking countries, the word “oye” is used.
Examples:
“¿En qué te ayudo, oe”?
7. Pe
It is a contraction of the word “pues,” and Peruvians use it a lot at the end of certain sentences. It is more of a crutch, but they use it frequently.
Example:
“Dime, pe”
8. Meterse una bomba
This expression means nothing more and nothing less than to get really drunk, that is, to party and drink a lot of alcohol.
Example:
“Vamos a la fiesta y nos metemos una bomba”
9. Es un lechero
In Peru they associate milk with abundance, so saying that someone “es un lechero” means that someone has good luck. In Mexico, it would be like saying “es un suertudo.”
10. Causa
This is one of the most beautiful words in Peruvian Spanish because it means friend, accomplice, or companion. It is the equivalent of “parcero” in Colombian Spanish.
Examples:
“Causa, yo te invito la siguiente cerveza”.
This word is also used to designate a typical Peruvian dish. Before the conquistadors’ arrival, this dish was prepared in ancient Peru, with yellow potato and chili chunks.
Do you know more Peruvian slang?
You may want to read: 12 Colombian Slang Phrases to Talk like a “Parcero”
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