Venezuelan Spanish

Venezuelan Spanish is a dialect of the Spanish language spoken in Venezuela.

Spanish was introduced in Venezuela by the conquistadors. Most of them were from Andalusia, Galicia, Basque Country and from the Canary Islands. Perhaps the latter has been the most fundamental influence on modern Venezuelan Spanish, to the point that Canarian and Venezuelan accents may seem indistinguishable to other Spanish speakers. Italian and Portuguese immigrants came later in the late 19th and early 20th century, their linguistic contributions, Italy by the most part, defined this dialect.

The Spaniards additionally brought African slaves. This is the origin of expressions such as chévere ("excellent"), which comes from Yoruba ché egberi. Other non-Romance words came from Native languages, such as guayoyo (a type of coffee) and caraota (common bean).

The Venezuelan (sometime) upper-class and middle class "snob" (or "sifrino" in colloquial Venezuelan Spanish) accent is often thought of as the "pretty-boy" or "boy band" accent of Spanish. This is hardly the case for the majority of spoken Venezuelan Spanish, widely ranging from its occasional formal form, to the more common -highly slang spiced- every day form, to the heavily "thug or thuggish" ("malandro" in Venezuelan Spanish) inflected manner, often found in the slums or "barrios" of the country.

Dialectal features

• Venezuelan Spanish often shortens words, for example, changing para "for" into pa. In addition, /d/ between vowels is often dropped (elision): helado "ice cream" becomes /elaˈo/. Originally from southern Spain and the Canary Islands, but these traits are common to many other Spanish variations.
• Another common feature is the aspiration of syllable-final -s, whereby adiós "goodbye" becomes [aˈðjɔh]. Common to most coastal areas in America, the Canary Islands, and the southern half of Spain.
• As in most American dialects, also, Venezuelan Spanish has yeísmo (a merger of /ʎ/ and /ʝ/), and seseo (traditional /θ/ merges with /s/). That is, calló "s/he became silent" and cayó "s/he fell" are homophones, and casa "house" is homophonous with caza "hunt". Seseo is common to all of America, the Canary Islands, and southern Spain, and yeísmo is prevalent in most Spanish variations.
• A characteristic common to the Venezuelan, Dominican, Cuban and Costa Rican dialects is the use of the diminutive -ico and -ica instead of the standard -ito and -ita, restricted to words with -t in the last syllable; for example, rata "rat" becomes ratica "little rat".
• The second-person singular informal pronoun is usually tú, as in most of Latin America and also in Spain. This practice is referred to as tuteo. However, in Zulia and some parts of Falcón and Trujillo, it is common to find voseo, that is, the use of vos instead of tú. This phenomenon is present in many other Latin American dialects (notably Rioplatense), but Zulian voseo is diptongado, that is, the conjugation preserves the diphthongs of the historical vos conjugation that have been monophthongized in Rioplatense (which means the Zulian forms are the same as those used in Spanish from Spain for the second person plural vosotros): instead of tú eres, tú estás, Zulian says vos sois, vos estáis (compare with plural forms in Spanish from Spain vosotros sois, vosotros estáis; and with Rioplatense forms vos sos, vos estás). Another exception to the tuteo of Venezuelan Spanish is the use of the second-person singular formal pronoun usted interchangeably with tú, a practice that is unique to the states of Mérida and Tachira.
• The word vaina is used with a variety of meanings (such as "shame", "thing or topic", "pity" and many others) and often as an interjection or a nonsensical filler.
• Venezuelan Spanish has a lot of Italianisms and Anglicisms.

Regional variations

There are several sub-dialects within Venezuelan Spanish.

• The Caracas dialect, spoken in the capital: is perceived and projected by the media to be the standard Spanish of Venezuela, with its variants generally related to the social classes found therein. It is mostly used in the capital, Caracas, and in other areas of the country such as Valencia.
• The Zulian dialect in the north-west of the country, also called maracucho or marabino, which uses voseo, like in the in part of the Lara area.
• The Lara dialect, where voseo is also used, but where the verbal declension of Old Spanish is kept (vos coméis).
• The Andean dialect, in particular the state of Táchira near the Colombian border. It is characterized by a non-aspirated pronunciation of s and use of Usted instead of tú, even within informal contexts. Another variant, in the states of Mérida and Trujillo still uses Usted instead of tu, but lacks the non-aspirated pronunciation of the s.
• The Margaritan dialect, spoken in Isla Margarita and in the north-east of continental Venezuela. The Margaritan dialect presents sometimes an interdental when pronouncing pre-vowel 's' and use of a strong 'r' instead of 'l' in most of the words.

Some examples of native Venezuelanisms (slang)

• Achanta'o/Achantá = adj. A person of slow thought or slow reasoning. Someone passive, or lacking seduction skills.
• Amapuche = n. A passionate demonstration of affection. A warm hug.
• Amuñuñar = v. To tightly yet disorderly put things together.
• Agarrado(a) = adj. Selfish. See Pichirre.
• Alborotado = adj. To be excited or revolted.
• Arepa = n. A corn bread bun. Typical venezuelan food. Also used to name armpit sweat marks. In Baseball it can also mean a score of Zero.
• Arrapado = adj. Excited (profane).
• Arrecharse = v. To get angry (profane).
• Arrecho = adj. Superlative attribute for an object or situation, namely extremely good, bad or difficult (profane).
• Arrecochinar = v. To gather people disorderly in a small space.
• Arrocear = v. To turn up at a party without being invited.
• Arrocero = n. Party crasher.
• Bachaco = n. A blond or redhead mulatto. Lit. Leafcutter ant.
• Bajarse de la mula = exp. To pay for something. To be demanded for money. To be robbed. Lit. "To get off the mule".
• Bala fría = n. Junk food. A quick snack. Lit. "Cold bullet".
• Balurdo = adj. or n. (from French "balourd") An awkward or ridiculous person. A low-class person or behavior. See Chimbo
• Barrio = n. Poor neighbourhoods in the cities of Venezuela. Often built upwards on hillsides, they're a distinct and noticeable feature of the landscape in cities like Caracas and Valencia.
• Birra = n. Beer.
• Bochinche = n. A gathering or noisy reunion. Disorder, chaos.
• Bolo = n. A single unit of Venezuelan currency, a Venezuelan bolívar, before the redenomination in 2008. As single units are no longer in circulation, this term is mostly used in the plural.
• Bucear = v. To ogle discreetly. To peep furtively. Lit. To skin dive.
• Bululú = n. A fuss. See Bochinche
• Burda = adv. or adj. (superlative) Very much. Example: "Caminamos burda" = We walked a lot. "Ella es burda de linda" = she's very pretty.
• Buzo = n. Peeper.
• Cambur = n. A well remunerated public position. Lit. Banana.
• Cachapa = n. A sweet corn pancake. Typical Venezuelan food.
• Cachapera = n. A lesbian (pejorative).
• Cacharro = n. Old, worn out vehicle. A piece of junk.
• Cachúo = adj. Something difficult to do. Something hard.
• Caerse a palos = exp. To engage in heavy drinking. To get drunk. Lit. "To fall with sticks".
• Calarse = v. To stand something bad.
• Carajo(a) = n. A dude (profane).
• Carajazo = n. See Coñazo (profane).
• Carajito(a) = n. A kid (usually pejorative). See Chamo
• Caraotas = n. beans.
• Catire(a) = adj. or n. A beer. Also a nickname for the sun. Lit. Blond.
• Chamo(a) = n. Boy/girl. With suffix -ito: a kid; also means son or daughter. Venezuelans are well known among Spanish speakers for their love and constant use of this word, which is used repeatedly in the same fashion as the American slang dude.
• Chao = exp. (from the Italian "ciao") To bid farewell, similar to "bye".
• Chévere = adj. Fine, cool.
• Chimbo(a) = adj. Of low quality. Bootleg. Ill made. Fake. Uncool.
• Chino(a) = n. Andean expression for a boy or girl, particularly in the Trujillo State. Lit. Chinese person.
• Chivo = n. The Boss, someone at a high position in an organization. Lit. Goat. Example: "El Chivo que más mea" (The goat who pisses the most) = the most important person.
• Churupo(s) = n. Money.
• Choro = n. Thief, robber (pejorative).
• Coñazo = n. A violent hit or strike (profane).
• ¡Coño! = exp. Fuck!, Damn! (very profane).
• Coño'e madre = n. A rotten bastard. (profane). Lit. "His mother's cunt".
• ¡Coño'e la madre! = exp. "Oh, my fucking God!", used to denote high frustration and anger (very profane).
• Compinche = n. Partner, friend.
• Corotos/Macundales = n. Stuff, belongings. Trash.
• Costilla = n. An affectionate way of a man to name his female formal counterpart or engagement (like his wife). Lit. Rib.
• Criollo = n. A local. A native of Venezuela. Something typically native.
• Cuaima = n. A very jealous/possessive and untrusting wife/girlfriend. Lit. A snake.
• Culo = n. A young woman (profane). Lit. Ass.
• Curdo = adj. Drunk.
• De pinga = exp. Cool, superb, excellent (profane). See "Pepiado".
• Epa/Épale = exp. "Hi" or Hello (informal greeting; "What's up").
• Fajado = n. Someone who works pretty hard/much on something. No matter if it's weekend or holiday, this person will work anyways. See Fajarse.
• Fajarse = v. To work the hardest on something until getting it done. Example: "¡Tienes que fajarte con eso!" = You have to work very hard on that!
• Filo = n. Hunger. Lit. Edge. Example: "Llevo el filo parejo" = I am very hungry.
• Franela = n. T-shirt.
• Fumao = adj. or n. Stoned. Crazy, disheveled, difficult. Lit. smoked a joint.
• Gafo = adj. or n. Dumb or stupid, comes for the Italian word "cafone" or "gavone" which means dumb peasant.
• Gargajo = n. Spit, a loogie.
• Gringo = n. White American. (also: Estadounidense)
• Gocho = adj. or n. A native of the Andean parts of Venezuela, particularly the states of Mérida, Táchira or Trujillo.
• Guáramo = n. Iron will. Courage.
• Guasa = n. To make fun of something or someone.
• Guasacaca = n. A sauce made from avocados and spices. Resembles Mexican Guacamole.
• Guaro = n. A native of Lara State.
• Guayabo = n. To be romantically disillusioned. To have the Blues. Tree of the guava fruit.
• Guayoyo = n. Slightly watered down black coffee. Commonly served after meals.
• Güevo = n. (Dick) Penis, nuisance (profane).
• Huevón (or Güebón) = n. Sucker, asshole, stupid (profane).
• Huele Verga = n. See Huevón.
• Hablame el mío/Hablame la mía = exp. Similar to "What's up?" or "What's going on?". Lit. Talk to me dude/Talk to me girl.
• Igualado(a) = adj. A demeaning term to describe someone who pretends to be of a superior financial/intellectual level than the person really is.
• Jalar Bola = v. To abuse flattering. Sweet talking, intended to get benefit from someone with selfish purposes.
• Jamón = n. A French kiss. Something very easy to do. A nice girl. Lit. Ham
• Jeva = n. Woman.
• Lambucio = n. A glutton. To request food or goods in a rude way.
• Ladilla = adj. or n. Something annoying or boring. A boring or annoying person. Very commonly used. Lit. A tiny parasite bug that lives in testicles.
• Macundales = n. Derivated from the brand "Mac and Dale" (a belt to carry tools used by the oil industry workers in Venezuela). See Corotos.
• Malandro = n. Thug, thief, burglar, robber.
• Mamar = v. Estar Mamando: to be penniless. Estar Mamado: To be tired. Lit. To Suck.
• Mamahuevo = n. (or Mamagüevo) Cocksucker. A hustler (profane).
• Marabino = adj. or n. A native of Maracaibo or its neighborhoods. See Maracucho.
• Maricada = n. See Mariquera.
• Marico = n. Commonly used as 'dude' between friends. 'Marica' may also be used between girl friends (profane/pejorative). Lit. A gay man.
• Maracucho = n. A native of Maracaibo or its neighborhoods. See Marabino.
• Mariquera = n. A little thing. A non-transcendental fact. A synonym for Vaina.
• Matar un tigre = exp. To moonlight. To have a temporary job. Lit. "To kill a tiger".
• Matraquear = v. To blackmail, to demand compensation in exchange of something. Usually used when cops ask for tips.
• Musiú = n. A foreigner. A white native from a non-Hispanic country (it's believed to come from a bastardization of the French word Monsieur).
• ¡Na'Guará! = exp. An expression to denote surprise, bewilderment. Most commonly used in Lara state.
• Negrear = v. To treat someone badly, to forget somebody, as in allusion to when black people where victims of racism. Example: "Me negrearon" = they treated me badly, they forgot me.
• Niche = adj. See "Chimbo(a)".
• No joda = exp. (or "Nojoda"). Venezuelan equivalent of the English curse word "Goddammit" (profane).
• Nota = n. Something nice, pleasant. A drug trip, to be "high". Lit. Note. Verbal form: Ennotarse.
• O sea = exp. A form to say whatever. Lit. It's Like. Example: "¿O sea, cómo lo hicíste?" (Like, how'd you do it!?).
• Paja = n. Bullshit. "Hablar Paja" = to bullshit someone. "Hacerse la paja" = to masturbate (profane). Lit. Hay.
• Pajiso(sa) = adj. (from Paja) Someone who masturbates a lot (profane). Lit. Wanker.
• Pajúo = n. A loose synonym for Pendejo or Güevón.
• Paisano = n. From the Italian "Paesano", meaning an Venezuelan or Italian (or southern European). Abbreviated as Paisa usually refers to a native of Colombia.
• Paliza = n. See Rumba de Coñazos. See also Rumba de Palos.
• Palo = n. Alcoholic beverage. Lit. Stick. Example: "¡Tómate un palito, pues!" = Have a little drink (then)!
• Palo de agua = n. Torrential rain. Lit. Stick of water.
• Pato = n. Gay man (pejorative). Lit. Duck.
• Pana = n. Friend, buddy, dude. Interchangeable with Chamo.
• Pantallero: n. A show off, "Pantallear". v. To lavishly flash oneself or anything of value.
• Papeado = adj. Of muscular or stocky build.
• Papear = v. To eat.
• Parcha/Parchita= n. Gay man. Lit. Passion fruit.
• Pargo = n. Gay man. Lit. Red Snapper.
• Pasapalos = n. Snacks. Hors d'oeuvres.
• Pavo, pava = adj. or n. trendy adolescent, kid, youngster. Lit. Turkey.
• Peaje = n. Toll. See Bajarse de la mula.
• Pelona = n. An impersonation of death. The Grim Reaper. Example: La pelona.
• Pelúo = adj. Hard, very difficult. Lit. Hairy.
• Perico = n. Venezuelan-style scrambled eggs. Also used to describe cocaine. Lit. Parakeet.
• Pendejo = n. A typical Pushover. See Huevón.
• Peorro = adj. Mediocre, inferior (profane).
• Pepiado adj. (or Pepeado) Cool, superb, excellent.
• Perol = n. A coroto, a kettle.
• Pichirre = adj. Tightfisted, stingy, miser, cheap.
• Pipi Frío = exp. Someone that has been single for a long time. Someone lacking social skills or uninteresting. Lit. "Cold Penis".
• Plaga = n. Mosquito (See Zancudo). A mischievous person (See Rata).
• Pollo/Polla = n. A childish, naive or immature person. Lit. Chicken.
• Polvo = n. Coitus. Copulation. Lit. Dust.
• Puta = n. Whore.
• Queso = n. Sexual drive, Lust. Mostly applied to men. Lit. Cheese. Example: "Tengo queso" = I'm horny.
• Quesúo = adj. To be horny, lustful.
• Rata = n. An evil or treacherous person. Lit. Rat.
• Ratón = n. Hung over Lit. Mouse. Example: "Tengo ratón." = I'm hung over.
• Rico(a) = adj. or n. An attractive person. Delicious, pleasurable. Lit. Rich.
• Rumba = n. A party.
• Rumba de Coñazos = exp. To violently and exaggeratedly hit or strike for a while (profane). Example: "¡Te voy a dar una rumba de coñazos!" = I'm gonna kick your ass/I'm gonna kill you.
• Rumba de Palos = exp. To be beaten up. In a sports context, whenever a team wins over another with a large score.
• Rumbero(a) = n. A partygoer.
• Rancho = n. A precarious makeshift home found in barrios made out of whatever the builder may find, including cardboard, wood, metal rods, zinc sheets. These have a tendency to evolve into brick houses and often 3-story buildings as the owner acquires materials.
• Santamaría = n. Rollup metal fence that covers the front part of a store when closed.
• Sifrino = n. A wealthy, snobby, arrogant person. adj. Posh, applied to people and things, such as an accent or clothes.
• Tequeño = n. A deep-fried flour roll filled with cheese. A native from Los Teques.
• Tigre = n. second job or night job. See Matar tigre
• Vaina = adj. or n. Thing, annoyance, problem, predicament, situation, endeavor, liaison. Vaina is one of the most versatile of Venezuelan words, not necessarily having a negative connotation. (mildly profane). Lit. Pod, sheath.
• Verga = n. Male sexual organ. An exclamation to convey a feeling shock, disgust or alert. In the Western part of the country, especially in Zulia State, it is a nonsensical filler as an alternative to vaina.
• Yesquero = n. A lighter.
• Zanahoria = n. Someone who zealously takes care of his/her own health. A vegetarian. A person that behaves well. Straight, clean. adj. A boring, dull person. Lit. Carrot.
• Zancudo = n. Mosquito. Lit. "The one that walks on stilts" as a metaphor for the insect's long legs.
• Zapatero = exp. To loose in a game with zero points.
• Zumba'o = adj. Forward, crazy, nutty, careless person.

References

• Español venezolano, Español maracucho and Voseo in the Spanish Wikipedia.
• Alexandra Alvarez & Ximena Barros (2000). "Sistemas en conflicto: las formas de tratamiento en la ciudad de Mérida, Venezuela.". Lengua y Habla. {{cite journal}}: External link in |title= (help)

External links

• Template:Es icon Diccionario de Venezolanadas (Forums and dictionary, great resource on the topic!)
• Template:Es icon Jergas de Habla Hispana Spanish dictionary specializing in slang and coloquial expressions, featuring all Spanish-speaking countries, including Venezuela.
• Template:En icon Template:Es icon Venezuelan Colloquial Spanish For English Speakers (English translations of Venezuelan slang)