Spanish words that do not exist in English (1)

1. Maruja – Traditional working-class housewife who enjoys gossiping and earsdropping on others. A “maruja” also likes gossip TV programmes and reads about celebrities. Although the term is usually assciated to middle-aged women and older, it can also be used to refer to any woman, no matter her age, if she behaves as one.

Ex.: “¡Eres más maruja que mi abuela!  (You’re more of a maruja than my grandma.”

2. Estrenar – Use or wear something for the first time. (It conjugates like “amar”)

Ex.: “¿Cuándo vas a estrenar los zapatos? (When are you going to wear the shoes for the first time?”

“Estrenar” is also used for plays and films. In very coloquial Spanish, it also means “have sex for the first time”.

3. Cachondeo – Lack of seriousness.

Ex.: “No te mosquees, tío, que estoy de cachondeo.” (Don’t get upset, mate. I’m just kidding.) – “Este gobierno es un cachondeo.” (This government is a joke.)

4. Pagafantas – Used to refer to a nice guy who treats girls nicely and respectfully, but never actually succeeds in having sex with them. Originally it means “Fanta buyer”, that is the guy who buys the drinks to girls. It sounds very funny indeed to a Spaniard’s ear.

“Deja de ser tan pagafantas, capullo.” – “Stop being such a pagafantas, you jerk.”

5. Guiri – Any foreigner, usually a tourist. It is somewhat pejorative.

Ex.: “Estoy hasta la coronilla de guiris.” (I’m fed up with “guiris”.)

6. Empalagar / Empalagoso, -a  – Feel sick from eating too many sweet things. For people, far too sweet and attentive.

“Esta película es demasiado empalagosa.” (This film is sickeningly sweet.)

7. Entrecejo – The space between the eyebrows.

8. Polvo – Dust. In expressions, the meaning changes dramatically.

Estar hecho polvo – To be knackered

Echar un polvo – Have sex; have a quick one.