Learn Chilean words for relationships, work, daily life and food, with clear usage notes.
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Chilean slang and conversation words
El pololo/la polola is a boyfriend or girlfriend. La pega means work or a job, and fome means boring.
These words are common in Chilean contexts, but some are shared with other countries. Informal vocabulary belongs in familiar settings rather than every conversation.
el pololoboyfriend / girlfriend (Chile) · el poh-LOH-loh
pololearto date / be in a relationship (Chile) · poh-loh-leh-AHR
la pegajob / work (Chile) · lah PEH-gah
fomeboring (Chile) · FOH-meh
bacáncool / great (Chile) · bah-KAHN
el carreteparty / night out (Chile) · el kah-REH-teh
el pitutoinfluential connection (Chile) · el pee-TOO-toh
el copetealcoholic drink (Chilean informal) · el koh-PEH-teh
Chilean everyday nouns
La guagua is a baby in Chile; la micro is a bus. A colectivo is commonly a shared taxi operating along a route.
La polera is a T-shirt and el chaleco can mean a sweater in Chile. Compare clothes in Spanish for regional alternatives.
la guaguababy (Chile) · lah GWAH-gwah
el cabrokid / youngster (Chilean informal) · el KAH-broh
la lucathousand pesos (Chilean slang) · lah LOO-kah
la microbus (Chile) · lah MEE-kroh
el colectivoshared route taxi (Chile) · el koh-lehk-TEE-boh
la poleraT-shirt (Chile) · lah poh-LEH-rah
el chalecosweater (Chile) · el chah-LEH-koh
la ampolletalight bulb (Chile) · lah ahm-poh-YEH-tah
el computadorcomputer (Chile) · el kohm-poo-tah-DOR
la frazadablanket (Chile) · lah frah-SAH-dah
Chilean food and meal words
La palta, la frutilla, el choclo and el poroto name familiar ingredients. Several are also used in other South American countries.
La once is a light afternoon or evening meal, often with tea and bread. It is not restricted to eleven o’clock. See food in Spanish for broader food vocabulary.
la paltaavocado (Chile) · lah PAHL-tah
la frutillastrawberry (Chile) · lah froo-TEE-yah
el choclocorn (Chile) · el CHOH-kloh
el porotobean (Chile) · el poh-ROH-toh
el zapallopumpkin / squash (Chile) · el sah-PAH-yoh
el completoChilean loaded hot dog · el kohm-PLEH-toh
la onceafternoon or evening tea meal (Chile) · lah OHN-seh
la marraquetacrusty bread roll (Chile) · lah mah-rah-KEH-tah
el motecooked hulled grain · el MOH-teh
la empanadastuffed pastry · lah ehm-pah-NAH-dah
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Chilean Spanish Words: the full list
Review the vocabulary by topic, then use the printable worksheet to check your recall.
Quick answer:boyfriend / girlfriend (Chile) is el pololo, to date / be in a relationship (Chile) is pololear, job / work (Chile) is la pega, boring (Chile) is fome, cool / great (Chile) is bacán, party / night out (Chile) is el carrete, to go partying (Chile) is carretear, to understand (Chilean informal) is cachar, influential connection (Chile) is el pituto, and alcoholic drink (Chilean informal) is el copete.
