Salvadoran words
chivo / chiva
Cool, nice or really good. [source]
Example: Ese lugar está chivo.
That place is really nice.
chero / chera
A close friend or buddy. [source]
Conversational.
Example: Voy con mi chera.
I’m going with my friend.
pisto
Money. [source]
Conversational.
Example: No tengo pisto.
I don’t have any money.
cipote / cipota
A kid or young person. [source]
Example: Los cipotes están jugando.
The kids are playing.
cabal
Exactly; that’s right. [source]
Informal agreement.
Example: —¿Aquí nos encontramos? —Cabal.
“Are we meeting here?” “That’s right.”
volado
A thing or object. [source]
Example: Pasame ese volado.
Pass me that thing.
guacal
A bowl made from half a dried gourd shell, used for liquids. [source]
Example: El guacal tiene agua.
The gourd bowl has water in it.
púchica
An exclamation of surprise or frustration, like “wow” or “darn.” [source]
Example: Púchica, olvidé la llave.
Darn, I forgot the key.
Questions to keep on your phone
Show the written question if that is easier.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Cuánto cuesta el viaje completo? | How much is the whole trip? |
| ¿Es por persona o por vehículo? | Is that per person or per vehicle? |
| ¿Dónde nos encontramos? | Where do we meet? |
| ¿Aceptan tarjeta? | Do you accept cards? |
| ¿El hielo está hecho con agua purificada? | Is the ice made with purified water? |
| ¿Hay alguien que hable inglés? | Is there someone who speaks English? |
| Necesito una cita. | I need an appointment. |
| ¿Me puede escribir la dirección? | Can you write down the address for me? |
Use the transport pages when asking about a trip, the medical-care page for appointments, and the money pages for payment questions. Practice a complete listen, repeat and confirm sequence in the walking-directions Spanish guide.
Sources
- chivo / chiva: Cool, nice or really good.
- chero / chera: A close friend or buddy.
- pisto: Money.
- cipote / cipota: A kid or young person.
- cabal: Exactly; that’s right.
- volado: A thing or object.
- guacal: A bowl made from half a dried gourd shell, used for liquids.
- púchica: An exclamation of surprise or frustration, like “wow” or “darn.”