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.
880 words Every word below comes from a real-life situation in Bolivia.
1
A
- a las doce de allá: at midnight her time
- a nombre del dueño: in the owner's name
- 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
- agarrar el trufi: to catch the trufi
- 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)
- ahorita / hasta ratito: right now or in a little while / see you in a bit
- 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
- amoblado: furnished
- ampliación: extension
- ando justo: money's a bit tight for me
- anillar / anillado: to spiral-bind / spiral-bound
- anillo / radial: ring road / spoke street
- anillos y radiales: rings and radial avenues
- ¡anímate!: come on, go for it!
- 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
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)
- bloqueador: sunscreen (local word)
- bloqueo: road blockade (protest)
- boleta: payment slip / receipt
- boleta / factura: payment slip (boleta) / official tax invoice (factura)
- botar: to throw away (Bolivian everyday usage)
- botica: small pharmacy / drugstore
- Bs: bolivianos (currency)
- ¡buenazo!: great!
- 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)
- calefón: gas water heater
- camba / colla (cambas, collas): camba: from Santa Cruz, Beni or Pando, the east; colla: from the Andean west and the altiplano
- camino a [destino]: on the road to [destination]
- cancelar: to pay (in Bolivia)
- cancha: pitch / sports field
- cancillería: foreign ministry / consular authority
- captura: screenshot
- cargar las notas: to enter the grades in the system
- cargo: proof of submission
- carnet: informal word for ID / card
- cartulina: cardstock / poster board
- casa en condominio: house in a gated community
- casera / casero (caserita, caserito): friendly market address term (vendor/customer)
- 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)
- chango (changuito, changa, changuita): kid, small child; also a young person or teenager
- chapaco/a: of Tarija; a person from Tarija
- chaperío: bodywork
- chaqui: hangover, feeling unwell after drinking too much
- 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)
- cholita (cholitas): a woman who wears the pollera skirt, the manta shawl and a hat
- chompa / chamarra: sweater / jacket
- chorizo chuquisaqueño: Sucre-style spiced pork sausage
- 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 tiempo: in good time, early
- con tus mañas y todo: quirks and all
- confirmar por escrito: to confirm in writing
- ¿conocés a alguien que…?: do you know anyone who…?
- consulta externa: outpatient consultations
- consultar administración: check with the (building) administration
- contá conmigo: count on me (voseo, to one person)
- contrafrente: facing away from the street (back-facing)
- conversamos: we'll talk it over
- corte: service interruption / outage
- croquis: sketch map
- cruceño/a de toda la vida: cruceño/a for life / born and raised here
- cuadra: city block
- ¿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
- cuando guste: whenever you like
- ¿cuántas ya…?: how many already…?
- ¡cuánto tiempo!: it's been so long!
- cumpa: close friend, buddy
- cuñapé: cruceño cheese-and-yuca bread
- cupo: a free place
- 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 corrido: without a break (continuous hours)
- de gusto: for nothing, in vain
- 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: right away, at once (as a reply: an eager yes)
- 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)
- dejar colgado a alguien: to leave someone hanging
- 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
- dígame nomás: go ahead, tell me
- DIGEMIG: Bolivian migration authority
- Dios se lo pague: may God repay you (thank you)
- 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
- ejecutivo de plataforma: account officer
- 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 aporte comunitario: the community contribution
- el asadito de entrega: the handover barbecue
- el atado: a bundle / bunch (e.g. of herbs)
- el atraso: lateness
- 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 batán: batán, a flat grinding stone
- el boleto: the printed ticket
- el box lunch: the packed lunch
- el camino está habilitado: the road is open / cleared for traffic
- el carnet universitario: the university student 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 chivé: toasted yuca flour from eastern Bolivia, and the refreshing sweet-sour drink made with it
- el cholet: cholet (neo-Andean building)
- el chuflay / el singani: a singani drink / Bolivia's grape spirit
- el chuño y la tunta: freeze-dried potatoes (dark and white)
- 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 condominio: the condominio (apartment tower or gated community)
- 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 delegado / la delegada: the class representative
- el delfín rosado: the pink river dolphin
- el depa compartido: the shared flat
- 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 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 feriado: the public holiday
- el finde largo: the long weekend
- el folio: the (property registry) record
- 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 (horneados): a special dish baked in the clay oven
- 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 mercado minero: the miners' market
- el micro / el trufi: the minibus / the shared route taxi
- 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 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 macho (pique a lo macho): heaped beef-and-potato plate for the brave
- el plano actualizado: the updated plan
- el portero: the doorkeeper / caretaker
- 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 Prado: Av. 16 de Julio, central La Paz
- 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 (puntos de referencia): the reference point
- el quesillo: a fresh, mild white cheese
- el quincho: the BBQ pavilion
- el radio urbano: the municipal urban boundary
- el radio urbano / la propiedad agraria (INRA): the urban perimeter / agrarian land (INRA)
- el radiotaxi (radio taxi): the (phone-booked) taxi
- el recibo: the receipt
- el recojo: the pickup
- 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 sello: the official stamp
- 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 sol pega: the sun hits hard
- el sorojchi: altitude sickness (local word)
- 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 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 valorado: a numbered official form bought at the Caja
- 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 (en la mañanita): 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 qué le puedo colaborar?: How can I help you?
- 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
- ¡Éxitos!: Good luck!
- 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
- fotocopiadora: copy shop
- fotografía biométrica: biometric photo
- frasco: bottle
- frazada (frazadas): blanket
- fresquito: a bit chilly
- 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
- gas domiciliario: piped gas
- gas en garrafa: bottled gas (gas cylinder)
- 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
- harto: a lot, plenty
- 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
- hojita: sheet (diminutive)
- horario continuo: open without a lunch break
- hotel de sal: salt hotel
I
- igual: just the same, regardless
- igualarse: to catch up on missed classes
- imaynalla: hello, how are you (Quechua)
- 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
- jailón (jailona): posh: someone with upper-class manners or airs
- jalq'a y yampara: Jalq'a and Yampara (weaving styles)
- jefe / jefa: boss (friendly address for the owner)
- jornada completa: full-time
- joven: 'young one', friendly address term
- joven / señor(a): polite address terms from service staff
- juntarse: to meet up
K
L
- la abuela (abuelita): 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 canoa / el bote: the canoe / the (river) boat
- la carátula: the cover page of an assignment
- la cargada: the tease/banter
- la Casa de la Libertad: the Casa de la Libertad (independence house)
- la cena guardada: the dinner kept warm/saved
- la cerrajería: the locksmith's
- la ch'alla: the ch'alla (an Andean blessing / offering custom)
- la chela: the beer (slang)
- la chirimoya: cherimoya (custard apple)
- la chompa (chompita): sweater, jumper (the warm layer)
- 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 cueca chuquisaqueña: Sucre's style of cueca
- 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 (estacas): 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 flota: the intercity bus
- la franja: the time window
- 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 glosa: the transfer reference
- 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 lavandina: bleach
- 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 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 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 quirquiña: quirquiña, a strong-smelling local herb
- la rebajita: a small discount (asked kindly)
- 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 tuna: tuna, prickly pear (cactus fruit)
- la u: the uni
- 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 (yapita): a little extra a vendor adds for free
- laboratorio: laboratory
- las cobijas: the blankets
- las gradas: the steps / stairway
- las lagunas del sur: the southern lagunas
- las pozas: the natural pools
- las reglitas: the little rules
- 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
- Lic.: short for licenciado or licenciada
- licenciada: courtesy title for a professional
- llámeme nomás: just call me
- llave en mano: turnkey (fixed all-in price, finished house delivered)
- llenar (un formulario): to fill in (a form)
- 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 audífonos: headphones
- los caporales: caporales (a Bolivian folk dance)
- 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)
- lugarcito, pruebita, cerquita: a little spot, a short test, very close
- 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 escribe nomás: just write to 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)
- momentito / tempranito / rapidito: a little moment / nice and early / quite fast
- monoambiente: studio apartment
- movido: lively / busy
- movilidad: vehicle / means of transport
- muy amable: very kind (warm thank-you)
N
- N-0345, E-0120: address numbers with a direction letter
- N-0345 (norte, número): north side, number 0345
- 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: tax ID number
- ¿NIT o carnet?: tax number or ID?
- 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 (pago por QR): to pay by QR code
- para el camino: for the road
- paralelo: course section
- Parque Industrial: Parque Industrial (Santa Cruz industrial district)
- particular: private seller
- pasa harto: it happens a lot
- pasanaku (pasanacu): rotating savings group: each member takes the pot in turn
- pasar la ubicación: to send the location (WhatsApp pin)
- pasar lista: to take the roll call
- 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
- plataforma: customer-service desks
- platito, tempranito, cuidadito: little plate, nice and early, carefully (diminutives)
- Plaza 25 de Mayo: Plaza 25 de Mayo (Sucre's main square)
- 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 designar: to be confirmed (not named yet)
- 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 privado: in a private chat
- 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)
- portería: the porter's or guard's desk at the entrance
- 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)
- prender: to switch on
- primero el arquitecto, después decido: the architect first, then I decide
- profe: teacher (form of address)
- 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)
- puntualito, ¿ya?: right on time, okay?
Q
- QR: QR code payment
- que dé al patio: that faces the (inner) patio
- que le vaya bien: all the best, take care
- ¿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
- quedar a mano: to be square (nothing owed)
- quédese nomás (quédense nomás): do stay (you're welcome to)
- 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)
- Queru Queru: Queru Queru (Cochabamba neighbourhood)
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)
- remedio: medicine (everyday word)
- 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)
- sacar fotocopias: to make photocopies
- sacar fotocopias / sacar fotos: to get copies made / to get photos taken
- 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
- se descompone: breaks down
- sé las palabras, no las reglas: I know the words, not the rules
- se me cruzan: they clash (for me)
- 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
- ¿será que...?: could it be that...?, might you...?
- siéntese nomás: just sit down, please
- 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 megas: out of mobile data
- 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)
- Sopocachi: Sopocachi (La Paz neighbourhood)
- soroche: altitude sickness
- 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: nice and early
- tempranito / la tardecita: nice and early / late afternoon
- 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
- tome asiento nomás: please, have a seat
- 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 dato: a lead / a tip
- un detallito: a little gift, a small token
- un día de estos: one of these days
- un logito… un ratito: a little logo... a little while
- un mensajito: a quick little message
- un montón: a whole lot
- un papelito: a small piece of paper
- un poquito nomás: just a little bit
- un ratito: a little while / a little bit longer
- un taxista de confianza: a trusted taxi driver
- un tecito: a (nice) cup of tea
- una consulta: a quick question
- 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: okay then, that's settled
- 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