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Word/PhraseDefinitionNotes
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fíjatenotice, just look, think about it
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marañonfruit
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pupusathick griddle cake or flatbread from El Salvador/Honduras, made with cornmeal or rice flour, similar to an arepacan be stuffed with one or more ingredients
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tíaaunt
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don/doña(honorific) respectfully refer to a mature man/woman Usually utilizes first name. This title today is applied for different reasons: to show respect, either for an economic or social status, experience or personal achievements; to show good will to someone, especially if that person has a higher social status; someone with a higher education degree; to elderly people
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"ito"In Spanish, the suffix -ito or -ita is often used to create a diminutive form of a word
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muritolow wall
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chantraditional El Salvadorian drink made with lemonade, strawberry, and chan seedsCan seeds come from the Hyptis suaveolens that is native to Central America; similar to chia seeds
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coyotesslang for a person who smuggles immigrants across the Mexico - United States border
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mareromember of the mara in US or Central Americamara - gang, evil, etc.
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mierdaexcrement (the slang word for feces)
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"Suprema" or "El Muñeco"beer, liquor
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disculpeexcuse me, forgive me (formal)
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ceroteanother word for excrement; a turd, big zeroIn the book, it is also used as a term of endearment (sort of)
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tambiénalso
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Semana SantaHoly Week
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brujawitch
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mojado"wetback"
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cruzócrossed, or [crossed onself, religiously]
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"te quiero mucho"I love you very much
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bonita/opretty, beautiful
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gringa/orefers to a person from an English-speaking countryIn the book, this term does not necessarily mean an Anglo person
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"La Migra"Immigration
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viejoold
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rabo verdeolder man who likes to flirt with younger womenliteral meaning - green tail
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picarorogue
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mirálook, notice
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bichoBicho or bicha are Spanish slang terms used to refer to a little boy or little girl in El Salvador.also can mean young adult/teen; literal meaning [El Salvador] is bug
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cerotitoOften used to address little children; little turd
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cerotea piece of "XXXX"
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vosintimate form of 'you'difference lies in the regions it is used
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hijueputaslang, son of a bad word
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“no te hagás el maje” don't be such a pain; don't be stupid
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Cieba tree Kapok tree, native to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
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abuelitagrandmother
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niña/ochild, girl/boy
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pendejostupid
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requetependejo[really/very/extremely] stupid
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tamaleraA person or factory that makes tamales.
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"La Belleza"[the] beauty
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pasmadowhat you call someone who is stupid and has no senseCommonly used word in El Salvador and other parts of central America
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avivato stoke, to stoke up, bright up, arouseaviva!
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buzoready, alert, awake
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"ponte las pilas"to apply yourself; work harder; referring to energy levelsliteral meaning - put the batteries;
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truchaalert; quickwittedcan also mean trout; root for the verb entruchar "to understand"
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escuelaschool
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biengood
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colónbasic monetary unit of Costa Rica and El Salvador, equal to 100 centimos in CR and 100 centavos in El Salvador
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noviecita"little" girlfriend
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tontitosilly dummy
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horchata[in Spain/Latin American countries] a milky drink made from almonds, tiger nuts, or riceIn the US, this drink is typically made with rice, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and sugar poured over ice.
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ensaladasalad
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pan francésfrench bread
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-aje' Suffix. forms masculine nouns expressing an action, quantity, location, period of time, etc.
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salvajewild
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ropajeclothes
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abordajeapproach; boarding; collision
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masajemassage
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Jueves santoHoly Thursday
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carnalslang for friendcan also mean of the same blood, family, or relative
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escuinclekid, brats
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relampagolightning; whirlwind event or action
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universidaduniversity, academy
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maquinitasarcade slots, little machines
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novelassoap operas; short novel or long short story
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piropospick up lines; compliment; flattery; praise
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malacateswinches; slang - guys with malicious faces
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mañosostricky; slick; crafty; can also mean dirty minded
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mareroslike a cholo, vato, gang members (mara)
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cuidatetake care of yourself
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confianzatrust
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tranquiloquiet; tranquil; peaceful
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para servirleto serve you
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solo/solitoonly; alone
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verdadtruth
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buenas nochesgoodnight
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indiosIndians [Mexican/mexica/indigenous tribes of Central America]
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"Mexicanos, al grito de guerra"Mexicans, at the cry of war
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myth of the cadejoThe cadejo (Spanish pronunciation: [kaˈðexo]) is a supernatural spirit that appears as a dog-shaped creature with blue eyes when it is calm and red eyes when it is attacking. It is said to be protector of those traveling long distances or those, especially children, who have had or are going through traumatic experiencesThe legend of el Cadejo can be heard in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, parts of Mexico and even southern Argentina. https://www.espookytales.com/blog/The-Legend-of-El-Cadejo/
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matracasmattresses
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molestiainconvenience; hassle; nuisance; trouble
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pepetosSalvi fruit The Pepeto fruit has similarities to the Paterna fruit; both grow during the winter in densely vegetated areas. However, Pepetos are smaller, and of course, the taste is different. The fruit is in the middle of green pods, and when ripe, they are yellow. They are seeds covered by a white pulp with a sweet taste, which is the edible part.
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señor/señoramister/mrs
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óralewow; ok; yes; hey;etcbut can mean various things in various ways
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Viernes SantoGood Friday
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cócteles de conchaa seafood delicacy typical of Salvadoran cuisine. It is a type of shellfish cocktail that usually combines black shell clams (conchas negras), diced onions and tomatoes, cilantro, and lemon or lime juice
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pupuseríarestaurant or factory that makes pupusas
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payasoclown; buffoon
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primocousin
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"con la voluntad de Diosito en el cielo"with the will of God in heaven
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"te queremos mucho muchisimo"we love you very much
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Dos Mujeres un Caminopopular Mexican soap opera that ran in the early 1990s
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lorocoedible flower that has unique pungent flavor used in pupusas and other dishes
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queso duroEl Salvadorian [hard cheese]
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te cuidástake care of yourself; [you take care]
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"que Dios te bendiga"God bless you
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mata-niñosEl Salvadorian sandwich made with long skinny rolls that are dressed with mayo, piled with cooked and cooled curtido (pickled cabbage) and filled with grilled slices of mortadella. literal translation - 'child killer'
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esteroestuarytidal mouth of large river, where the tide meets the stream
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puras babosadasto talk nonsense