43 Peruvian Slang Words to give you Street Cred

Peru’s cultural diversity means that the Spanish spoken there borrows from many different sources. Indigenous languages, Spanish, and Asian influences mix together to produce a rich culture to only in food and customs, but also in language. Dialects of Spanish-speaking Peruvians vary across geographical locations. With migration from the mountainous regions of Peru, where Andean Spanish is the main dialect, to Lima, the mixing of dialects produces yet more slang.

Learning some of the words exclusively used in Peru gives you that extra connection and access to 30 million Spanish speakers, the fifth most populous Latin American country. Lima, being the capital, and most diverse city with a quarter of Peru’s population, is a rich source of slang terms. We don't recommend peppering your speech with slang straight away. Learn to be comfortable with the dialect and slowly introduce some words in context.

It's always best to try out new words with friends or acquaintances, especially those that don't offend easily. Using Peruvian slang words and phrases out of context or in the wrong company can lead to problems, just like in any other language. As a non-native speaker, you will be given some credit for trying, and most people will find it comical, rather than offensive, to hear a rude word out of place. However, caution is advised.

¡A Su!

You will no doubt hear this one quite a bit. A su is a contraction of the phrase “A su madre”, and is a little more polite. Often used to express surprise, disbelief, or resignation, it literally means “To his/her/its”. A su madre is used just like “Wow” in English. “To your mother” would be one direct literal translation.
Be careful using this phrase outside of Peru. Any words and phrases involving someone’s mother may be construed as an insult in other dialects.

Manyas

“You know”. This word can be used as a question (“¿manyas?”) or a statement (“¡manyas!”). Very commonly used word in Peru. Used mostly among younger people but you can hear this expression anywhere.

Achorado/a

Rude/impertinent. Someone referred to as Achorada is usually a rude, aggressive, or forward person.

Gilero

Player/Romeo/seducer. A gilero is someone who flirts with all the girls constantly, with the objective of seducing them.

Jamear

To eat (verb). Ir a jamear means to go and eat. Jama is a word that also means food.

Chamba

a) Work, job, employment – “Estoy buscando chamba”. (I'm looking for a job).
b) Hard-working – “Ella es muy chamba” or “Ella es full chamba” (She's very hard-working).
c) Carelessly, without rigor – In this case the expression is “a la chamba”. “No debes trabajar a la chamba” (You mustn't work carelessly).

Bacán

Cool. Used just like chevere. Both words are also popular slang terms in Colombia.

Luca

1 sol (Péruvian money). Not to be confused with luca in Argentina, Venezuela, Chile, and Colombia where the word means 1000 when referring to money.

Bróder

Brother. A direct import from English. Used mostly by younger people, bróder is a cool way to refer to a close friend directly or indirectly.

Jale

Sex appeal. Describes someone’s charisma. Jorgito tine jale, ¿no? (“Georgy is good looking, no?”)

Jatear

To sleep. Voy a jatear (“I’m going to sleep”)

Chapar

To kiss. Also means “to catch”. Diego y Gabriela se estan chapando – (“Diego and Gabriela are kissing each other”)

Chupar

Literally: “to suck”. Used colloquially to mean “to drink” when referring to alcohol.

Choro

Thief, robber. The same word is used in other Latin American countries and has the same meaning. El choro le robó la cartera – (“The thief robbed her purse”)

Chela

A beer

Mi pata

This sounds a little weird when you understand the literal definition of “pata”. Referring to your friend as your leg or paw, as in “animal foot”, is a term of endearment you'll hear in Peru that shows just how far from the original meaning the colloquial terms can go. Pata in other Latin American countries can mean “leg” but in Peru it generally means “friend”.
Example: Juan es mi pata – Juan is my friend.

Pucha

expression of relief

Mamacita

Beautiful woman

Al toque

A cool Peruvian phrase to learn that you can use in situations where you need to estimate time for something to be done. Basically, “al toque” means “right away”, but you'll soon find out that people are quite flexible with the definition. Don't expect anything to be done immediately. At the same time, you can use the phrase to mean anytime in the near future.

Matar el hambre

Literally: to kill hunger. To eat something in the meantime until you can have a full meal. “Voy a matar el hambre comiendo un sandwich”. (I'm going to eat a sandwich to fill up my stomach a little).

Sacar la vuelta

To double-cross, to betray, to deceive. Peruvians use this when discussing unhappy love affairs. “Esa chica me sacó la vuelta con un amigo”. (That girl double-crossed me with a friend).

Hacer de la vista gorda

To look the other way, to pretend not to know. It might occur after someone gets bribed. “El policía se hizo de la vista gorda”. (The policeman looked the other way). 

Meterse una tranca

To get very drunk, to “get wasted”. “Me metí una tranca con mis amigos”. (I got wasted with my friends). (23)

Hacer el avión

To trick or fool someone. It usually involves payments or deals. “El taxista me hizo el avión”. (The taxi driver fooled me).

Hacerse el sueco

Literally: to behave like a Swede who does not know Spanish. To pretend to ignore the meaning of someone's words or actions. “No te hagas el sueco. Esto está muy claro”. (Don't behave like a Swede. This is quite clear).

Cabecear a alguien

Literally: to give a head butt. To rip off, to swindle. “En esa tienda me cabecearon”. (I got ripped off in that store).

Romper la mano

Literally: to break someone's hand. To bribe, to corrupt. It involves illegal payments to government officials for favors. “A ese congresista le rompieron la mano”. (That congressman was bribed).

Ser pepeado

To be drugged with sleeping pills and then robbed. It usually occurs in discotheques, carried out by pretty women called “peperas” who slip the drugs into the drinks of unsuspecting men. “Mi primo fue pepeado anoche”. (My cousin was drugged and robbed last night).

Fumar marimba

To smoke marijuana, an illegal but fairly common action in Peru. The weed is also known as “macoña, yerba, troncho”. “Había gente fumando marimba en la fiesta”. (There were people smoking pot at the party).

Meterse tiros

Literally: to shoot yourself. To inhale cocaine. Also known as “jalar”. It occurs among high class persons who can afford the drug and wish to carry on drinking but minimizing the effects of alcohol. Not so common as smoking pot and also illegal. “A un amigo mío le gusta meterse tiros”. (A friend of mine likes snorting coke).

Saludo a la bandera

Literally: a salute to the flag. An inconsequential or worthless act. It sometimes involves words or actions carried out by government officials to pretend they are doing something useful for the people. “El discurso del ministro fue un saludo a la bandera”. (The minister's speech was inconsequential).

Al toque

Right away, immediately. A fairly common expression used to convey alertness and prompt action. “Terminé mi trabajo al toque”. (I finished my work right away).

Sin pelos en la lengua

Literally: with no hair on the tongue. An idiom usually referring to someone's unadorned, direct and unafraid words. “Mi amigo me contó la historia sin pelos en la lengua”. (My friend told me the story in straightforward words).

Manyar

a) To realize, to know, to understand. “¿Manyas lo que te digo?” (Do you understand what I say?).
b) To eat. Slang word derived from the Italian “mangiare”. Also known as “jamear”. “¿Quieres manyar en ese restaurante?” (Would you like to eat in that restaurant?)

Fumar pasta

To smoke a derivative from the coca leaf known as “pasta” before it becomes cocaine. A highly addictive substance employed by the lower classes because of its cheap price and linked to criminal behavior. Users are known as “pasteleros”. “Habían hombres fumando pasta en un callejón”. (There were men smoking pasta in an alley).

Comer en un huarique

To eat in a secluded, usually unexpensive restaurant but serving very tasty food. Huariques are known only by locals and offer an interesting alternative to tourist traps. You'll need someone to take you to one because they are not well known by most people. “Comí muy rico en un huarique del Callao” (I ate very well in this huarique in Callao city).

Hacerse la vaca

Literally: to act as a cow. To miss work or school classes due to lazyness or to have a free day. “Mi compañero se hizo la vaca el viernes”. (My classmate missed classes on Friday).

Tirar cuetes

Literally: to toss firecrackers. To effusively praise someone. “Me tiraron cuetes por mi trabajo”. (I was highly praised for my job).

Estar misio

To be broke, usually temporarily due to overspending. “Estoy misio después de mi viaje a Europa” (I am broke after my trip to Europe)

Agringarse

To adopt the looks and behavior of Anglo Saxon white people. “Él está muy agringado después de su viaje a los Estados Unidos”. (He acts like a gringo after his trip to the United States).

Estar arrecho

To be eager for sexual intercourse, to be sexually aroused. It's a vulgar expression which should only be used among intimate friends. “Estoy arrecho después de ver una película porno” (I am horny after watching a porno film).

Hacer un cachuelo

To carry out a temporary job, usually unskilled and informal until you can get proper work. “Hago cachuelos para sobrevivir” (I do any temporary jobs to survive).

Estar mostro

Outstanding, great, remarkable. Oher equivalent words are “bravazo, alucinante, bacán”. “El auto de mi amigo está mostro”. (My friend's car blows my mind).

Yapa

A little extra gift from a vendor, usually free. “La caserita me dio una yapa de tomates” (The market lady gave me some extra tomatoes). This is generosity baked into everyday Peruvian life. You'll hear it in every market across the country, and turning down a yapa might even come off as rude.

Jato

Your house or place. “Vamos a mi jato para ver la peli” (Let's go to my place to watch the movie). Everyone in Lima says jato instead of casa. Jatear means to sleep or take a nap. One of the easiest ways to sound like a local.

Caleta

Hidden spot, stash, or secret. “Conozco una caleta donde venden ceviche buenazo” (I know a secret spot where they sell amazing ceviche). It's all about insider knowledge. Being caleta means you're quietly clever and know where the good stuff is hidden.

Pataza

Close friend or buddy. “Ese es mi pataza del barrio” (That's my buddy from the neighborhood). An affectionate upgrade of pata, usually reserved for lifelong friends. It adds extra warmth and loyalty to the friendship.

Chibolo / Chibola

Kid, teen, or young person. “Cuando era chibolo jugaba fútbol todo el día” (When I was a kid I played soccer all day). Used all over Peru in a friendly or nostalgic way. Can sound sweet or teasing depending on your tone.

Mostro

Something amazing, excellent, or cool. “Tu video quedó mostro” (Your video turned out amazing). An all-purpose compliment. If something's mostro, it's gone way beyond just “good.”

Achorado / Achorada

Tough, bold, or pushy. “Esa flaca es bien achorada” (That girl is really bold). Depending on context, it's either respect for someone's confidence or criticism for being too aggressive.

Huachafo

Tacky, kitschy, or trying too hard to be fancy. “Decoró el carro con luces rosas, bien huachafo” (He decorated his car with pink lights, super tacky). Perfect word for describing Peru's complicated relationship with glitter, flash, and excess.

Pucha madre

Mild curse of frustration. “Pucha madre, otra vez se me olvidó la billetera” (Damn, I forgot my wallet again). It's an emotional outburst without crossing into heavy profanity — half sigh, half groan.

Chamba

Job, gig, or work. “Estoy buscando chamba esta semana” (I'm looking for work this week). Used by everyone, from students to business owners. You can buscar chamba, tener chamba, or quedarte sin chamba.

Chupar

To drink alcohol. “Nos fuimos a chupar después del partido” (We went drinking after the game). A relaxed and universal way to talk about drinking. Irse de chupe means going out for a proper drinking session.

Farra

A party or night out. “El sábado hubo una farra bravaza” (Saturday there was an epic party). Used more by younger people, it means a proper, loud celebration — more energy than a simple fiesta.

Ponerse las pilas

Literally: to put in your batteries. To get motivated or act quickly. “Ponte las pilas o llegarás tarde” (Get moving or you'll be late). An easy, friendly way to tell someone to focus and get things done.

Choro

A thief or petty criminal. “Cuidado con los choros en el micro” (Watch out for thieves on the bus). Also used jokingly among friends. You'll hear this constantly in Lima traffic stories and urban slang.

Causa

Mate, pal, or friend. “¿Qué tal, causa?” (What's up, buddy?). One of the most classic Peruvian greetings. Originally comes from the Quechua word for brother or companion.

Richi Coninham

Slang for a rich, posh, out-of-touch Limeño stereotype. “Ese tipo es un Richi Coninham total” (That guy is a total Richi Coninham). A modern meme term used to tease upper-class behavior — the guy who says broder and vacations in Europe every year.

Yara

Gossip or chatter. “¿Ya sabes la yara del barrio?” (Did you hear the neighborhood gossip?). Similar to “spill the tea.” The kind of word you hear in small-town squares or office corridors.

Patahua

Silly or naive person. “No seas patahua, eso no se cree” (Don't be naive, nobody believes that). Playful rather than mean, used when someone falls for a trick or bad joke.

Morocho / Morocha

Dark-skinned or dark-haired person, usually affectionate. “La morocha del café siempre sonríe” (The dark-haired girl at the café always smiles). Depending on tone, it can sound flirty, friendly, or simply descriptive.

Tirarse una farra

To go all out partying. “Nos tiramos una farra hasta el amanecer” (We partied until sunrise). Used when a normal night becomes an epic one. The stories usually start getting told the next day.