It’s fun to learn a new language. Try these descriptive words and go out and use them in your conversations today.

agringado — having adopted a gringo style of speaking

alborotado — can mean rowdy, riotous or noisy; agitated or excited; hasty or reckless; or even horny, like a dog in heat

codo — Literally “elbow,” but used to mean miserly, cheap, frugal

concho — rude, mean, ill-mannered

dejado — “left,” meaning neglected, as someone’s looks or hygiene, or like a car that’s not maintained

espantoso — “scary,” meaning ugly, filthy or terrible

estresado — stressed out

lavado, limpio — “washed,” “clean,” meaning broke, out of money

necio — annoying. “No sea tan necio, déjame en paz” — “Don’t be so annoying, leave me alone.”

ostinado — desperate or fed up

Words to Call Children

bebé — baby

güila — child; “un güila,” a boy; “una güila,” a girl

chamaca/chamaco — girl, boy

chica/chiquilla/chico/chiquillo — girl, boy

mocoso — “snotty-nosed,” an uncomplimentary word for a child; a brat

muchacha/muchacho — girl, boy

niña/niño — girl, boy

pelado — hairless, meaning a child

tierroso — covered in dirt, meaning a small child

tripudo — pot-bellied; a chubby child