language Archives - Page 5 of 7

“Come yuca”

Literary translation: yucca root eater Meaning: insult, implies that the person is unrefined, or somehow undeserving. Usually directed toward someone who thinks the opposite of him/herself. “Come yuca” is perhaps one of the most ironic insults, given that yuca is indeed a staple of the Dominican diet and most people enjoy it. Significado: insulto, dícese de la persona poco refinada o de escazos recursos, que hace alarde de lo que no tiene o se cree muy culta. Use: colloquial - "Mira, come yuca!"

“Guallar la yuca”

Literal translation: to grate the yuca root. Yuca (cassava) was widely used by the Taino indians (native inhabitants of Hispaniola Island which they called Quisqueya). It continues to be a staple of the Dominican diet, eaten boiled, fried and in bread form. Meaning: to work hard Significado: trabajar duro, esforzarse Use: colloquial

“Amarrar la chiva”

Literal translation: “to tie up the goat” Meaning: to procrastinate, to make someone wait on purpose Significado: procrastinar, hacer a alguien esperar a drede Use: colloquial

“¿Tu no querías mambo? ¡Toma mambo!”

Literal translation: Didn’t you want mambo? There’s your mambo! Mambo is a popular Latin dance originating in Cuba. In the DR, the word indicates a playful, repetitive tempo within a merengue song used for spinning during dancing. Meaning: You got what you wanted. Now, stop complaining. Significado: Conseguiste lo que querías. Ahora no te quejes. Use: colloquial, urban

“Como la gatica de María Ramos: tira la piedra y esconde la mano”

Literal translation: like Maria Ramo’s little kitten: throws the stone and hides the hand Meaning: said of a person who acts hypocritically; one who pretends to be nice, but does or intends to do harm. Person who appears innocent or naive, but is not. Significado: dícese de la persona hipócrita, que oculta el daño que hace o intenta hacer a los demás. Persona que aparenta inocente y no lo es. Use: general

The modern-day Dominican fogón, made of adobe. Still used as stoves in rural areas of the Domincan Republic, fogones are powered by firewood and lit with “cuaba” (pine kindlings). Picture taken in Manabao, Dominican Republic. El fogón moderno dominicano, hecho de adobe. El fogón aun se utiliza como estufa en muchas zonas rurales de la República Dominicana. Se prende con astillas de cuaba (sacadas del pino) y se mantiene con leña. Foto tomada en Manabao, municipio de Jarabacoa.

“Si como caminas cocinas, guárdame el concón”

Literal translation: if you cook like you walk, save me the concòn (the part of the cooked rice that sticks to the bottom of the pan). Concòn is considered a Dominican delicacy and is usually eaten with bean soup as part of daily meals. Meaning: I like you, you have a nice walk, harmless compliment (piropo) to a woman passing by Significado: piropo (me gustas), tienes bonito caminar Use: colloquial, urban Update: It seems I hit a nerve with the use of the word “harmless” in the description above. A piropo’s interpretation is of course, subjective and many Dominican women…

“Debajo de cualquier yagua vieja sale tremendo alacran”

"Debajo de cualquier yagua vieja sale tremendo alacrán" Literal translation: a huge scorpion can come out from under any old yagua (the branch of a palm tree) Meaning: don’t underestimate anyone; they might surprise you Significado: no subestime a nadie o se puede llevar una gran sorpresa Use: general