Bolivian Spanish glossary
Real words from real life in Bolivia
The Spanish you actually meet in Bolivian listings, banks, pharmacies and WhatsApp chats, with local notes on how each word is really used.
Every word below comes from a real-life mission in the notebooks.
1
A
- a las doce de allá: at midnight her time
- a refaccionar: needs fixing up (fixer-upper)
- a sus órdenes: at your service
- a todos nos pasa: it happens to everyone
- abrígate pues: bundle up, then
- abrir la heladera: to open the fridge
- acá: here (everyday)
- acá las cosas se hacen bien: around here things are done properly
- acercar posiciones: to bring positions closer
- admisionista: admissions clerk
- agilizar: to speed something up
- aguafiestas: party pooper
- aguinaldo: year-end bonus (recognition word)
- ahí estaré: I'll be there
- ¡ahí sí!: there we go! (it works now)
- ahí vemos: we’ll see / we’ll sort it out
- ahicito nomás: just about there / right around here
- ahorita: soon / in a bit (flexible)
- al contado: in cash / paid upfront
- al día: up to date
- al toque: right away / immediately
- algo cortito: something short
- algo para: something for
- amén, tío: amen, uncle
- ampliación: extension
- ando justo: money's a bit tight for me
- anillo / radial: ring road / spoke street
- anillos y radiales: rings and radial avenues
- antecedentes policiales: police records
- anticipo: advance payment
- anticrético: Bolivian large-deposit housing arrangement
- anuncio: the listing / ad
- apenas llegue, les aviso: as soon as it arrives, I'll let you know
- api con buñuelo: hot purple-corn drink with fried dough
- api con pastel: hot maize drink with a fried pastry
- app del banco: bank app
- aquí nomás: just here / really close
- armar dos mesas: to set up two tables
- arquitecta / arqui: architect (title of address)
- arrancamos con el comprobante: we start once the receipt arrives
- arras / señal: arras / señal (regional synonyms of reserva)
- así da gusto resolver: this is what it feels like to actually resolve something
- así da gusto trabajar: it's a pleasure to work like this
- así me lo pide el contador: that's what my accountant asks of me
- así no les cobro doble: that way I don't charge you twice
- así nomás: just like this / just as it is
- así sé a quién presentarte: that way I know who to introduce you to
- atención: service / office hours
- automedicarse: to self-medicate
- ¡Auxilio!: Help! (shouted)
- avisá cuando llegues: let us know when you land
- avisame nomás: just let me know (cruceña voseo)
- avisar: to let someone know / notify
- avisar (antes): to give a heads-up (beforehand)
B
- baja médica: medical leave note
- Banco Unión: common public-payment bank
- banco vs. BCB: your bank vs. the BCB
- blíster cortado: loose / cut blister
- Blooming / Oriente (el clásico cruceño): Blooming vs Oriente (the cruceño derby)
- bloqueo: blocking / freeze
- boleta: payment slip / receipt
- boleta / factura: simple receipt / official tax invoice
- botar: to throw away (Bolivian everyday usage)
- botica: small pharmacy / drugstore
- Bs: bolivianos (currency)
- buenísimo: really great / delicious
- bueno, ¿arrancamos?: alright, shall we get started?
C
- c/u: each / per unit
- cadena: chain / forwarded message
- ¿Café, don René?: Coffee, don René?
- cafecito: little coffee (affectionate diminutive)
- cafecito / horita: little coffee / little hour
- Caja: social-security health provider
- cajero: ATM / teller, depending on context
- Cal Orck'o: Cal Orck'o (the fossil footprint wall)
- camino a [destino]: on the road to [destination]
- cancelar: to pay (in Bolivia)
- cancha: pitch / sports field
- cancillería: foreign ministry / consular authority
- captura: screenshot
- cargo: proof of submission
- carnet: informal word for ID / card
- cartulina: cardstock / poster board
- casa en condominio: house in a gated community
- casera: warm address term (like 'ma'am')
- casera / caserita: regular-customer / vendor address term
- casera / casero: friendly market address term (vendor/customer)
- caserita / casero: the warm market address term for a vendor (or a customer)
- casero/a: the trusted regular
- casero / casera: warm address between a regular customer and 'their' vendor
- casi cumple: almost meets it
- cédula de identidad de extranjero: foreigner ID card
- centro autorizado: authorized center
- cerquita: right nearby (diminutive of cerca)
- cerquita / ratito / cafecito: nice and close / a little while / a little coffee (chuquisaqueño diminutives)
- cerrar bien también es trabajar bien: closing well is also working well
- chamarra: jacket
- chancho: pig / pork (colloquial)
- chapaco: of/from Tarija (people, accent, culture)
- chapaco/a: of Tarija; a person from Tarija
- chaperío: bodywork
- charlable: negotiable
- che: hey (attention-getter between friends)
- che / dale / nomás: hey / deal! / just, simply
- che / pues / nomás: small cruceño conversation fillers
- chicha: chicha (fermented corn drink)
- chip: SIM card (local term)
- churrasco: grilled meat
- clarito: nice and clear (diminutive of claro)
- clave temporal: temporary code / temporary password
- cochabambino/a · cochala: from Cochabamba (adjective and affectionate local word)
- colgarse (de un plan): to sit out / bail on (a plan)
- como 40 minutos: about 40 minutes
- ¿cómo prefiere que lo comunique?: how would you prefer I communicate it?
- comprobante: payment receipt
- con confianza: openly / don't be shy
- con gusto: with pleasure / gladly
- con la mejor onda: with the best vibe / in the friendliest spirit
- con lluvia o con sol: rain or shine
- con mucho gusto / cómo no: with great pleasure / of course
- ¿con quién lo destrabo?: who can I unblock this with?
- con tus mañas y todo: quirks and all
- confirmar por escrito: to confirm in writing
- ¿conocés a alguien que…?: do you know anyone who…?
- consultar administración: check with the (building) administration
- contá conmigo: count on me (voseo, to one person)
- contrafrente: facing away from the street (back-facing)
- corte: service interruption / outage
- cruceño/a de toda la vida: cruceño/a for life / born and raised here
- ¿cuál me conviene?: which one suits me best?
- ¿cuál va?: which one goes?
- cualquier cosa, me avisás: whatever you need, just let me know
- cualquier cosa me contás: let me know if anything comes up
- cuando estés libre: when you’re free
- ¿cuántas ya…?: how many already…?
- ¡cuánto tiempo!: it's been so long!
- cuñapé: cruceño cheese-and-yuca bread
- cupos limitados: limited spots
D
- dale: sure / okay
- dale nomás: go right ahead / sounds good
- dale, seguí así: go ahead, keep it up
- dar factura: to 'give' an invoice (how clients ask for it)
- dar fe: to bear legal witness / certify
- de la casa: one of the family / of the household
- de marca: brand-name
- De ninguna manera, yo la lavo.: No way, I'll wash it.
- de palabra: verbally / on someone's word
- de parte de: on behalf of
- de parte de la Lic. Áñez: on behalf of / sent by Lic. Áñez
- de rechupete: finger-licking good
- de una: for sure / absolutely
- de verdad: really, honestly
- decile (voseo): tell him/her (voseo imperative)
- decime Roberto nomás: just call me Roberto
- declaración jurada: sworn statement
- dedicás (voseo): you do / you're engaged in (voseo form)
- dejar a alguien en visto: to leave someone on read (seen, not replied)
- déjeme ayudarlo: let me help you (usted)
- demorar: to take time / run late / be delayed
- depa: apartment (informal)
- Derechos Reales: the public property registry
- Derechos Reales / el certificado: the property registry / its certificate
- despacito: nice and slow (diminutive of 'despacio')
- destrabar: to unblock, to unstick
- día de campo: day out in the countryside
- días hábiles: business days
- DIGEMIG: Bolivian migration authority
- DIPROVE: vehicle-theft verification unit
- disculpe: excuse me / sorry (usted)
- disculpe la molestia: sorry to bother you
- doctor / doctora: doctor (title for lawyers/notarios)
- documento privado: private (unregistered) sale document
- documentos en regla / papeles al día: documents in order / papers up to date
- don / doña: honorific for a respected, established figure
- don Wilson: don Wilson (respectful address for the técnico)
- doña / don + nombre: doña / don + first name (respectful address)
- doña Lorena, la administradora: doña Lorena, the building administrator
- doña + nombre: doña + first name (respectful address)
- dueño directo: direct owner
- dueño directo / sin intermediarios: owner-direct sale / no intermediaries
E
- el achachairú: achachairú, small sweet-and-sour lowland fruit
- el adelanto: the advance (payment)
- el after: the after(-office)
- el aguayo: handwoven Andean textile
- el almuerzo: the midday set menu
- el almuerzo de despedida: the farewell lunch
- el anticipo de materiales: the (structured) materials advance
- el anticrético: the anticrético (interest-free deposit lease)
- el aporte comunitario: the community contribution
- el asadito de entrega: the handover barbecue
- el atado: a bundle / bunch (e.g. of herbs)
- el audio: the voice note
- el aviso: the (classified) listing
- el aviso de expensas: the monthly fee notice
- el ayudante: the driver's helper / conductor
- el barbijo: the (dust/face) mask
- el barrio vertical: the vertical neighborhood
- el bloqueo: road blockade (protest)
- el boleto: the printed ticket
- el box lunch: the packed lunch
- el cafecito: the little coffee
- el camino está habilitado: the road is open / cleared for traffic
- el carnet (de identidad): the ID card
- el cementerio de trenes: the train cemetery
- el centro histórico de Sucre: Sucre's historic center
- el Cerro Calvario: the Cerro Calvario (the hill above Copacabana)
- el Cerro Rico: the Cerro Rico, the 'rich mountain' above Potosí
- el certificado de expensas al día: the up-to-date building-fees certificate
- el certificado de tradición: the chain-of-title certificate
- el Chef: the Chef (ironic nickname)
- el chip: the SIM card
- el chivé: a refreshing homemade drink offered at the pueblo table
- el cholet: cholet (neo-Andean building)
- el churrasco: the social barbecue
- el clásico cruceño: the Santa Cruz derby (Blooming vs. Oriente Petrolero)
- el comedor: small set-lunch eatery
- el comité de bienvenida: the welcome committee
- el compadrazgo: the padrino/godparent kinship institution
- el comprobante: the receipt / payment screenshot
- el condominio: the condominio (apartment tower or gated community)
- el condominio (áreas comunes): the gated complex (shared areas)
- el contrafrente: the back side of a building (opposite the street front)
- el corso: the main parade
- el corte de facturación: the monthly billing cut-off
- el Cristo de la Concordia: the Cristo de la Concordia
- el croquis a mano: the hand-drawn sketch
- el cruce: the crossing (a passable point on the route)
- el cupesí, la ambaiba, el ocoró: cupesí, ambaiba, ocoró, other lowland fruits
- el curichi: a low, marshy area
- el delfín rosado: the pink river dolphin
- el depto piloto: the model apartment
- el derrumbe: the landslide (earth/rocks onto the road)
- el Día del Estudiante: Student's Day
- el Dino Bus: the Dino Bus (themed bus/truck to Cal Orck'o)
- el documento privado: the private document
- el estado (de WhatsApp): the WhatsApp status
- el expreso: private hire of the whole car
- el extranjero / la extranjera, límites a la compra de tierra: the foreigner, limits on buying land
- el famoso / la famosa: the famous one (affectionate teasing)
- el finde: the weekend
- el finde largo: the long weekend
- el folio: the (property registry) record
- el folio real: the registry extract
- el folio real individual: the individual folio real
- el folio real / la matrícula: the registry record / its number
- El Fuerte: El Fuerte (the site above Samaipata)
- el gravamen (hipoteca, embargo): the lien (mortgage, court freeze)
- el grupo de Empleos Santa Cruz: the 'Empleos Santa Cruz' group
- el grupo del curso: the class WhatsApp group
- el hielo: the ice
- el horneado: a special dish baked in the clay oven
- el hotel de sal: the salt hotel
- el Illimani: the Illimani (the snow-capped peak behind La Paz)
- el informe: the report / findings
- el jeep: the 4x4 / jeep (the Salar tour vehicle)
- el jeep 4x4 con conductor-guía: the 4x4 jeep with a driver-guide
- el lanchero: the boatman
- el leito: full-recline sleeper class
- el locoto: Andean hot pepper
- el loteador / la loteadora: the subdivision seller (company or person)
- el loteamiento: a land subdivision
- el manzano: the city block
- el mate de coca: coca-leaf tea
- el mercado minero: the miners' market
- el mirador: the viewpoint / lookout
- el mocochinchi: cold drink of dried peach in sweet cinnamon water
- el mocochinchi · el somó: dried-peach drink · sweet corn drink
- el mosquitero: the mosquito net
- el mosto: fresh, unfermented grape must
- el mote: boiled corn kernels (a pueblo table staple)
- el motoquero: the delivery rider (on a motorbike)
- el mozo / la moza: the waiter / waitress
- el NIT: tax ID number
- el número de plano: the plan's file number
- el OK final: the final OK
- el parqueo: the parking spot
- el parqueo de visitas: visitor parking
- el parrillero: the grill master
- el pediatra: the pediatrician
- el perezoso: the sloth
- el pique a lo macho: beef-and-sausage dish over fries
- el pique macho: heaped beef-and-potato plate for the brave
- el plano actualizado: the updated plan
- el portero / el sereno: the gate attendant / the night watchman
- el portón: the (street) gate
- el portón / la referencia: the gate / the landmark
- el pozo séptico: the septic tank
- el protocolo: the notary's permanent archive
- el Pujllay: the Pujllay festival
- el punto de los miles: the dot-as-thousands separator
- el punto de referencia: the reference point
- el QR: the QR code (payment)
- el quesillo: a fresh, mild white cheese
- el quincho: the BBQ pavilion
- el radio taxi: radio taxi (dispatched company cab)
- el radio urbano: the municipal urban boundary
- el radio urbano / la propiedad agraria (INRA): the urban perimeter / agrarian land (INRA)
- el radiotaxi: the (phone-booked) taxi
- el recibo: the receipt
- el recojo: the pickup
- el recojo (a las 08:00): the pickup (at 08:00)
- el reflejo / el efecto espejo: the reflection / the mirror effect
- el refresco: homemade fruit/grain drink
- el refuerzo: the reinforcement (football metaphor for a new addition)
- el relleno: filled-in ground
- el ripio: loose gravel (unpaved road surface)
- el rubro: your sector / line of business
- el saice tarijeño: Tarija-style saice
- el saludo de fin de año: the December/year-end greeting
- el segundo anillo: the second ring road
- el sencillo: small change (synonym of suelto)
- el sereno: the night watchman
- el SIAT: the electronic tax system behind today's facturas
- el silpancho: Cochabamba's signature breaded-beef dish
- el singani: Bolivia's national grape spirit
- el sonso: sonso (yuca-and-cheese bake)
- el soroche: local word for altitude sickness
- el suelto: small change
- el sur: the sur, the cold south wind
- el surtidor: the gas station
- el talón: luggage claim stub
- el tanque / la cisterna: the rooftop water tank / cistern
- el tejido de Tarabuco: the Tarabuco weaving tradition
- el ticket / el reclamo: the ticket / case number
- el Tío: el Tío (a figure honored underground)
- el titular: the account/registry holder
- el transbordo: the transfer (between lines)
- el trufi: shared taxi/van on a fixed route
- el tumbo: banana passionfruit
- el Tunari: the Tunari range
- el tupper: the leftovers container
- El Urubó: El Urubó
- el uso de suelo: the permitted land use
- el uso de terminal: terminal-use fee
- el valle / la campiña: the valley / the countryside around Tarija
- el voceador: destination caller
- el volante: the flyer / leaflet
- el vuelo de la mañana: the morning flight
- el vuelto: the change (money returned)
- emergencias: emergency department
- empezamos nomás: let's just go ahead and start
- en eso está: he/she is on it (still working on it)
- en la mañana: in the morning (Bolivian usage)
- en la tarde: in the afternoon (loosely)
- en mi caso: in my case
- en obra: under construction
- en pie: still on / standing firm
- en planilla: on formal payroll
- en regla: in order
- en regularización ante catastro: under regularization before the cadastre
- en regularización (subsanable): being formalized (fixable)
- en trámite: in process / pending
- encargo: an errand/item requested from someone traveling
- Entonces yo tiendo.: Then I'll hang it out to dry.
- entrega contra pago: handover against payment
- Equipetrol: Equipetrol (Santa Cruz zona)
- Equipetrol / zona norte: Equipetrol / the north zone
- eso es cosa nuestra, joven: that's our own business, young lady/man (gentle decline)
- eso lo maneja mi abogado: my lawyer handles that
- eso mejor lo vemos con un abogado: that's better handled with a lawyer
- eso mejor pregúntaselo a tu RRHH: you'd better ask your HR about that
- eso sí: that said / mind you
- eso ya no se pide, pero traiga igual: that's not asked for anymore, but bring it anyway
- está caído: it's down (the service)
- está en contabilidad: it's with accounting
- está feo el camino: the road is in bad shape
- ¿está habilitada la ruta?: is the road open / passable?
- está heladita: it's nice and cold (the beer)
- estar autorizado/a: to be an authorized pickup person
- estar con barro: to be muddy
- estar pendiente: to keep an eye on, to stay attentive
- estoy regularizando eso con mi contador: I'm sorting that out with my accountant
- expensas: monthly building fees
- expensas al día: condo fees paid up
- extracto: statement / account extract
F
- facilidades (de pago): payment facilities (installment terms)
- factura: invoice
- faltan ustedes: you two/all are missing (from the photo/table)
- farmacia de turno: on-duty pharmacy
- favor confirmar: please confirm
- FELCC: Bolivian police body (acronym)
- ficha: appointment ticket / token
- finde: weekend (short for fin de semana)
- finiquito: final settlement (recognition word)
- folder: application folder
- folder amarillo: yellow folder
- folio real: the registry record that identifies a property and its owner
- formalizar: to become a registered business
- fotografía biométrica: biometric photo
- frasco: bottle
- frazada: blanket
- frazadas: blankets
- fue un cruce de fechas: it was a mix-up of dates
G
- garantía de 1 mes: one-month deposit
- gas de red / gas de garrafa: piped gas / cylinder gas
- gge.: gge. (garaje / parking)
- gotas: drops
- gracias por el dato: thanks for the tip / heads-up
- gracias por la confianza de siempre: thank you for your trust, as always
- gracias por su paciencia: thank you for your patience
H
- habilitada: officially passable / cleared (a route)
- hablar del precio, sin fijar nada: discussing the price without settling anything
- hace rato: for a while now
- hacer una vaca: to pool money together
- harta gente: lots of people
- hay campo: there's room
- hay otro interesado: there's another interested buyer
- heladito: a little ice cream (-ito diminutive)
- hijito / tempranito (diminutivos chuquisaqueños): 'dear' / 'nice and early' (Chuquisaca diminutives)
- historia clínica: medical chart / record
- hoja de vida: CV / resume
- horneados: traditional baked goods (and their stands)
- hotel de sal: salt hotel
I
- igual: just the same, regardless
- índice: index / table of contents
- ingeniero / licenciada: engineer / [degree-holder title]
- ingeniero (vocativo): ingeniero, used as a form of address
- inmobiliaria: real-estate agency
- intermedio y sigo mejorando: intermediate, and I keep improving
- ir despacio: to go slowly / pace yourself
J
- jalq'a y yampara: Jalq'a and Yampara (weaving styles)
- jefe / jefa: boss (friendly address for the owner)
- jornada completa: full-time
- jornada completa (con corte al mediodía): full-time (usually with a midday break)
- joven: 'young one', friendly address term
- joven / señor(a): polite address terms from service staff
- juntarse: to meet up
K
L
- la abuela: grandmother
- la administración: the building management office
- la alcaldía: the municipal government
- la altura: the (high) altitude
- la apoderada: the seller's proxy holder
- la asamblea: the owners' assembly
- la asamblea de copropietarios: the owners' assembly
- la avioneta: the small plane / light aircraft
- la baulera: storage room/unit
- la bendición de movilidades: the blessing of vehicles
- la bodega: the luggage hold under the bus
- la bolsa (de cemento): the (50 kg) cement bag
- la cabaña: the cabin (lodge hut)
- la cadena: the chain (forwarded blessing/good-morning message)
- la canoa / el bote: the canoe / the (river) boat
- la cargada: the tease/banter
- la Casa de la Libertad: the Casa de la Libertad (independence house)
- la casera: the market vendor (a respectful, familiar term of address)
- la casera / caserita: market vendor (affectionate address)
- la caserita: market vendor (warm term of address)
- la cena guardada: the dinner kept warm/saved
- la ch'alla: the ch'alla (an Andean blessing / offering custom)
- la chamarra: the jacket
- la chela: the beer (slang)
- la chirimoya: cherimoya (custard apple)
- la chompa: jacket / warm layer
- la chompita: a light sweater
- la chuspa: small woven pouch
- la ciudad en un hoyo: the city in a bowl
- la cobertura: coverage
- la comparsa: the Carnaval dance troupe
- la compraventa ante notario: the sale signed before a notary
- la constancia: the certificate / written proof
- la cooperativa minera: the mining cooperative
- la cotización: the (written) quote
- la cuadra: the city block
- la cumbia: cumbia (the dance floor's default rhythm)
- la cumpleañera: the birthday girl/woman
- la declaratoria de construcción: the declaration of construction (registry update)
- la denuncia: the official (police) report
- la desarrolladora: the property developer (company)
- la ejecutiva de ventas: the sales executive
- la encuesta: the poll
- la entrada: folkloric procession / parade
- la espuma: the spray foam
- la estaca: a wooden stake (boundary marker)
- la extraordinaria: a special one-off charge approved in asamblea
- la feria: the (open-air) market fair
- la fibra (óptica): fiber(-optic internet)
- la ficha: the tag / claim token
- la flota: the intercity bus
- la franja: the time window
- la frazada: the blanket
- la fuente: the serving dish
- la garrafa: the refillable gas tank
- la gaseosa para los muchachos: the soda for the crew
- la gauchada: a solid, a favor done out of pure goodwill
- la gestión: the school year (as officially termed)
- la herencia: the inheritance
- la hipoteca levantada: the lifted mortgage/lien
- la hora loca: the 'crazy hour'
- la Isla del Sol: the Island of the Sun
- la kalapurka: kalapurka, a traditional potosino soup, served very hot
- la lámina: the sheet (of a plan set)
- la lancha: the small passenger boat
- la libreta: the (school) grade/report booklet
- la línea y nivel: line and level (municipal alignment certificate)
- la llajua: fresh locoto-tomato table salsa
- la llajwa: Bolivian chili sauce (locoto, tomato, herbs)
- la loteadora: the land-development/lot-selling company
- la matrícula: the property registration number
- la misa de gallo: the midnight mass
- la mita: the mita, the colonial system of forced indigenous labor
- la mojazón: the big soaking (the water fight)
- la morenada: the morenada (a Bolivian folk dance)
- la movilidad: the vehicle (Bolivian usage)
- la notaría de fe pública: the public-faith notary office
- la novedad: the (piece of) news, the update
- la Oficialía: the civil registry office (everyday name)
- la planificación: the (municipal) planning office
- la planilla: the payroll / formal employee registration
- la plata: money (everyday word)
- la Plaza Luis de Fuentes: Tarija's main plaza
- la Policía Turística: the Tourist Police
- la propiedad agraria / el INRA: agrarian property / the National Land Institute (INRA)
- la propina: the tip
- la quinta: the country house
- la referencia: the reference point
- la reserva: the reservation (deposit/contract)
- la Reserva Eduardo Avaroa: the Eduardo Avaroa Reserve (REA)
- la salida: school dismissal / pickup time
- la salteña: juicy baked stuffed pastry, eaten mid-morning
- la secretaría: the (school) front office
- la siesta: the after-lunch rest
- la silla buena: the good chair
- la sobremesa: the after-meal table talk
- la sucesión: the succession (inheritance transfer)
- la trucha a la plancha: grilled trout
- la ubicación: the (GPS) location pin
- la unidad educativa: school (the official Bolivian term)
- la urbanización: the subdivision / development
- la vaca: the collective pot
- la Verde: the national team (Bolivia)
- la videollamada de siempre: the usual/standing video call
- la Virgen de Copacabana: the Virgen de Copacabana
- la visita guiada: the guided visit / tour
- la yapa: a little extra a vendor adds for free
- laboratorio: laboratory
- las cobijas: the blankets
- las estacas: the stakes (boundary markers)
- las expensas: the monthly building fees
- las gradas: the steps / stairway
- las lagunas del sur: the southern lagunas
- las pozas: the natural pools
- le aviso apenas salga: I'll let you know as soon as it goes out
- le escribo (usted): I write to you (formal)
- le mando unas fichas: I'll send you some listing cards
- ¿Le parece?: does that suit you? (usted)
- le respondo por puntos: I'll answer point by point
- ¿le traigo un vasito de agua?: shall I bring you a little glass of water?
- legalización: legalization / authentication
- lentes oscuros: sunglasses (lit. dark glasses)
- les escribo: I'll write to you (follow up)
- ¿les parece si…?: does it work for you all if…?
- letra chica: the fine print
- levantamiento de hipoteca: mortgage release / lifting
- levantar el gravamen: to lift/clear the lien
- levantar la hipoteca: to lift/cancel the mortgage
- llámeme nomás: just call me
- llave en mano: turnkey (fixed all-in price, finished house delivered)
- lo anoto: I've got it noted
- lo consulto con la almohada: I'll sleep on it
- lo esperamos: we'll be expecting you
- lo reviso con mi abogado y te confirmo: I'll check it with my lawyer and confirm
- lo tenemos en carpeta: we've got it on file
- los agüeros: the New Year good-luck rituals
- los anillos: the ring roads
- los medidores: the utility meters
- los novios: the newlyweds (kept as "novios" all evening)
- los pisos / las plantas: the floors / stories
- los portales: the arcades (covered walkways)
- Los Pozos: Santa Cruz's classic mercado
- los Yungas: the Yungas, the warm subtropical valleys below La Paz
- lote: plot (usually inside a subdivision)
- luz y agua aparte: electricity and water not included
M
- Madidi: Madidi (national park)
- maestro: respectful address for a trufi/micro driver
- majadito: majadito (rice, dried beef, fried egg, fried plantain)
- malestar: discomfort / feeling unwell
- mañana lo vemos: we'll look at it tomorrow
- mandame / fijate (voseo imperativo): send me / take a look (voseo imperative)
- mándeme nomás: just give me orders
- maní: peanut
- más o menos: more or less / roughly
- mate de coca: coca-leaf herbal tea
- mate de coca de bienvenida: welcome coca-leaf tea
- matrícula en trámite: matrícula still in process
- me alegro un montón: I'm really happy (for you)
- me cayó mal: it didn't agree with me
- me duele: it hurts (me)
- me hace mal: it affects me badly
- me lo llevo para mañana: I'll take it home for tomorrow
- ¿me podría contar...?: could you tell me...?
- mecánico de confianza: trusted mechanic
- media hora: half an hour
- media hora nomás: just half an hour
- media jornada: half a day
- megas: megabits (internet speed)
- mensaje fijado: pinned message
- mesa de partes: document reception desk
- Mi Teleférico: the cable-car transit system
- Migración: migration office
- mijitos: my dear ones (affectionate, to a younger couple)
- minuta: sale / notary document
- mire: look (usted command)
- monoambiente: studio apartment
- movido: lively / busy
- movilidad: vehicle / means of transport
- muy amable: very kind (warm thank-you)
N
- nada más: that's all / nothing more
- ni bien: as soon as / the moment that
- ni bien tengamos una respuesta le escribimos: as soon as we have an answer, we'll write to you
- NIT o CI: NIT or CI
- no es nada grave: it's nothing serious
- no hay apuro: there's no rush
- no pasa nada: it’s no problem / it’s all good
- no te preocupes: don’t worry
- no usar flash: no flash / do not use flash
- nomás: just, simply (softening particle)
- nos cuida a los dos: it takes care of both of us
- nos estamos hablando: we'll be in touch
- nos estaremos comunicando: we'll be in touch
- nos llevamos regio: we get along great
- nota de voz: voice note
- notaría: notary office
- notario de fe pública: notary public
O
P
- padrino de anillos: ring-bearer padrino (carries the rings during the ceremony)
- padrino de lazo: lazo padrino (places the ceremonial cord over the couple)
- padrón: municipal roll / registry entry
- pagar por QR: to pay by QR code
- pago por QR: QR payment
- para el camino: for the road
- Parque Industrial: Parque Industrial (Santa Cruz industrial district)
- particular: private seller
- pasar la ubicación: to send the location (WhatsApp pin)
- pase nomás: go right ahead / come on in
- PENDIENTE (de emisión): still pending (issuance)
- permanencia: permitted stay
- permanencia mínima: minimum term / lock-in period
- picadito: casual kickabout
- picado (el lago se pone picado): choppy (the lake gets choppy)
- placa: license plate
- plan tranqui: a relaxed plan
- poder notariado: notarized power of attorney
- podría (vs. puedo): could (vs. can)
- por administración: cost-plus build (materials at cost + labor + a % fee)
- por cabeza: per person / per head
- por cuenta del inquilino: paid by the tenant
- por Equipetrol: near/around Equipetrol
- por escrito: in writing
- por las dudas: just in case
- por metro cuadrado: per square meter
- por Monseñor: near Monseñor (Rivero)
- por ser usted: since it's you (special-price phrase)
- por si acaso: just in case
- por una promesa: because of a vow (dancing out of devotion)
- por unidad: per unit
- por WhatsApp: over WhatsApp
- porfa: please (short for por favor)
- precio de amigo: friend price / mate's rate
- precio fijo: set/fixed price
- precio puesto: set price
- preguntar en el muelle: ask at the dock
- pregunte por RRHH: ask for HR (at reception)
- primero el arquitecto, después decido: the architect first, then I decide
- profesora + nombre (ej. profesora Mariela): teacher + first name (e.g., profesora Mariela)
- profesora / profe: teacher (formal / casual short form)
- puede ser: could be / maybe so
- pues: well / then
- pues / nomás / ya: paceño chat tags (warmth, softening, agreement)
- puntos de referencia: reference points / landmarks
Q
- QR: QR code payment
- que dé al patio: that faces the (inner) patio
- ¿Qué llevamos?: What should we bring?
- ¿qué nos rinde?: what will our time yield?
- que quede en regla: for it to be properly in order
- que se mejore: get well / feel better (usted)
- ¿qué tal?: how’s it going?
- ¡Que viva la quinceañera!: Long live the birthday girl!
- queda a dos cuadras: it's two blocks away
- queda en el tercer anillo: it's (located) on the third ring
- queda (quedar): it's located / it sits (at)
- quedamos atentos: we remain at your disposal / attentive to your questions
- quédense nomás: you all just stay
- quédese nomás: do stay (you're welcome to)
- quedo atento: I remain available / I'll be watching for your reply
- Quedo atento/a: polite WhatsApp sign-off
- quedo pendiente: I'll stay tuned
- quedó una observación: one observation remained
- querés / tenés / recomendás (voseo): you want / you have / you recommend (vos forms)
R
- re: really, super (intensifier prefix)
- reajuste: price-adjustment clause
- recarga: top-up
- recepción: reception
- recién: only then / just
- reclamo: claim / complaint / report
- reglamento de copropiedad: condominium bylaws
- regularizar: to get (something) in order
- REJAP: Bolivian judicial-record body (acronym)
- reponer: to replace / to restock
- reprogramar: to reschedule
- reprogramar por WhatsApp: to reschedule by WhatsApp
- residencia permanente: permanent residence
- residencia temporal: temporary residence
- residencial: simple guesthouse
- resolución de residencia: residency resolution
- reunión de padres de familia: family/parent meeting (the standard term for a teacher meeting)
- RRHH: HR (recursos humanos)
- RUAT: vehicle registry / tax system
S
- sacar: to obtain (through a process)
- sagárnaga: the crafts-and-textiles street in La Paz
- SAGUAPAC: Santa Cruz's water utility cooperative
- sala de espera: waiting room
- sale cuando se llena: it leaves when it's full
- sale más barato: it works out cheaper
- salieron con detalles: they came out with some flaws
- Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz (de la Sierra)
- se corta: it keeps cutting out
- sé las palabras, no las reglas: I know the words, not the rules
- se quedan acá: you're staying here (settled, not a question)
- seguí vos / siga usted: you go ahead (voseo) / you go ahead (usted)
- sellado: stamped
- sello de entrada: entry stamp
- SEPREC (antes Fundempresa): the commerce registry, formerly called Fundempresa
- sigo en carrera: I'm still in the running
- sin apuro: no rush
- sin falta: without fail
- sin flash en algunas salas: without flash in some rooms
- sin nombre: without a name (anonymous invoice)
- sin relación de dependencia: without employment dependency / not an employee
- sin sopa no es almuerzo: "without soup, it's not lunch"
- soda: soft drink
- solo que vengan: just that you (all) come
- sonso: sonso (grilled yuca and cheese)
- sopa de maní: peanut soup
- sopa y segundo: soup plus main dish (the set lunch)
- Sra. / Sr. + apellido: Mrs./Mr. + last name
- sucursal: branch
- SUS: public health system (acronym)
T
- tarjeta de servicios: services card
- te debo un café: I owe you a coffee
- te lo digo derecho: I'll tell you straight
- te presento a una colega: I'll introduce you to a colleague
- ¿te sumás?: are you joining? (voseo)
- tempranito nomás: nice and early, no fuss
- tiendas de barrio: neighborhood corner stores
- tierras bajas / tierras altas: the lowlands / the highlands
- tira y afloja: tug-of-war (negotiation)
- tomar: to take (medicine)
- tomar un café: to have a coffee
- tramitar / el trámite: to process / obtain through an office; the bureaucratic procedure
- trámite: administrative procedure
- trancadera: traffic jam
- tranqui: relaxed / no worries
- tranquilo: relaxed / no rush
- tranquilo pues, hoy no corremos: relax, we're not rushing today
- Tránsito: traffic authority
- tratamiento: treatment
- trufi: shared fixed-route taxi
- tú (con Daniela) / usted (con el señor Marcos): tú with Daniela / usted with señor Marcos
- tú con Daniela, usted en el hotel: tú with Daniela, usted at the hotel
- turno: appointment slot / queue turn
U
- un beso: a (cheek) kiss
- un boliviano (Bs): a boliviano (the currency, Bs)
- un cafecito: a little coffee
- un dato: a lead / a tip
- un día de estos: one of these days
- un logito… un ratito: a little logo... a little while
- un montón: a whole lot
- un poquito nomás: just a little bit
- un ratito: a little while / a little bit longer
- un taxista de confianza: a trusted taxi driver
- una cosita: a little thing
- una cosita / cortitas (diminutivos): a little thing / short ones (diminutives)
- una posta / un centro médico: a health post / a medical center
- uno se acostumbra: you get used to it
- ¡urgente, viajo fin de mes!: urgent, I'm traveling at the end of the month!
- $us en las fichas: $us on property fichas
- uso de suelo y retiros: land use and mandatory setbacks
- usted (en el altiplano): the polite 'you', the highland default
V
- vale un Potosí: it's worth a Potosí, i.e. worth a fortune
- validez: how long the quoted price holds
- vamos con calma: we're taking it slow / no rush
- vamos viendo / el lago manda: we'll take it as it comes / the lake decides
- van a querer verte todos: everyone is going to want to see you
- vas bien, pero…: you're doing well, but…
- vecina / vecino: neighbor
- venga ese abrazo: bring that hug in
- venga nomás: just come / do come
- venir a mil: to be run off your feet
- venta bajo receta: sold by prescription
- venta directa: direct sale
- ventanilla: counter / window
- vigencia: validity period
- Villa Fátima: Villa Fátima (La Paz departure area for the Yungas)
- visto: seen (read receipt)
- vos: you (voseo)
- vos sos visita: you're a guest
- voseo con Valeria (quedate tranquila / no te preocupés): voseo with Valeria (relax / don't worry)
W
Y
- ¿y cómo salió lo de X?: and how did the thing with X turn out?
- ¿ya?: okay? (seeking agreement)
- ¿ya comieron?: have you all eaten yet?
- ya comimos: we already ate
- ya le pasé a la tía lo del regalo: I already told tía about the gift
- Ya nos vamos yendo: We're already on our way out (slowly)
- ya pues: come on / really, it's fine
- ya pues / nomás: warm Bolivian discourse softeners
- ya sos de acá, pues: you're already from here, then
- ya sos de la casa: you're one of the household now
- yuca: cassava