Variety bites Archives - Page 8 of 16

Ripe papaya (lechoza madura)

Lechoza madura (para comer o hacer batida). República Dominicana. Ripe papaya. Dominican Republic. Papaya is a tropical fruit abundant in the Dominican Republic. It is eaten ripe, as in the photo, cut in cubes or made into smoothies with milk, water and cane sugar. A popular papaya smoothie recipe includes Carnation (evaporated milk). Blend all these ingredients together with ice and enjoy!

Ser un hijo de Machepa

Literal translation: being Machepa’s son. Obviously, Machepa was not an illustrious member of Dominican society, but it’s hard to say who he/she was or how this idiom got started. Do you know who Machepa was? Meaning: being poor, unimportant or falsely accused. Generally refers to any situation in which you are getting the short end of the stick. Significado: ser pobre, ignorado o poco importante. Generalmente se refiere a situaciones en la cual al que le va mal es a usted. Use: colloquial, general

Ni lava ni presta la batea

Literal translation: you don’t wash nor lend your “batea”. Batea is a word inherited from the Tainos (native inhabitants of Quisqueya - Dominican Republic). It describes a big flat bowl usually made of wood used to wash gold in the river. Also used by Dominican women of past generations to carry and beat clothes in the river as they washed. It’s unclear if this idioms refers to washing gold or clothes. Meaning: you don’t do and you don’t let others do Significado: usted ni hace, ni deja hacer Use: colloquial, general

Arbol de guandules. Jarabacoa, República Dominicana. Pigeon pea tree. Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. Click here for pigeon pea rice recipe.

Pijotero

Meaning: person who does not like to share Significado: persona que no comparte lo suyo Use: general, colloquial

Ta’ pasao’

Literal translation: to be passed Meaning: to be out of line, to have no clue or to say an unfunny joke Significado: “estar pasado”: pasarse de la ralla, decir algo inapropiado, estar equivocado o contar un chiste sin gracia. Use: colloquial, urban

Boca Chica Dominican Republic

Boca Chica Dominican Republic. Playa de Boca Chica, República Dominicana. Located 19 miles east of Santo Domingo, Bocha Chica is where dominicans living in the capital go for a day trip to the beach. Fine sand, calm shallow waters and an abundance of vendors and services make this crowded, but beautiful beach a must visit.

Eso se cae de la mata

Literal translation: that falls from the tree Meaning: that is obvious Significado: eso es obvio; no necesita explicación Use: colloquial, general