#8 Travel Tips & Tricks Words You should Know
As the airplane touched down on the bustling runways of Santiago, Maria, an adventurous traveler from Spain, felt a rush of excitement and a hint of apprehension. Although she spoke Spanish, she had heard that Chileans had their own unique way of speaking, peppered with local slang and expressions that could leave a tourist in a bit of a daze.
Armed with her guidebook and a deep curiosity, Maria stepped into the heart of the city. The first thing she noticed was the warm, cordial nature of the Chileans around her. The taxi driver, noticing her excitement, greeted her with a friendly “¡Hola! ¿Cómo estái?” Maria quickly noted the way he used “estai” instead of “estás,” a hint of that distinct Chilean flavor.
Important Words & Phrases to Know:
- ¿Cachai? – “Do you understand?”
As they drove, the taxi driver casually asked if she’d enjoyed her flight. When Maria nodded, he said, “¡Buena! ¿Cachai?” She realized that “cachai” was one of those quintessential Chilean words that softened conversations and invited connection. - Po – An emphatic particle used for emphasis.
As he shared his favorite places in Santiago, he exclaimed, “¡Es muy lindo, po!” Maria smiled, trying to catch the meaning of “po” which seemed to add a casual flair, like saying “cool” or “you know.” - Weón or Wena – A friendly term used to refer to a person, often among friends.
When they arrived at her hostel, the receptionist greeted her with, “Hola, weona! Bienvenida.” Maria learned quickly that “weón” could be friendly or teasing, depending on the context. - Al tiro – Means “right away” or “immediately.”
Excited to explore, she asked for directions to the nearest market. The receptionist replied, “Ve al mercado al tiro!” Maria chuckled, enjoying this new rhythm to her conversations.
As she wandered through the bustling Mercado Central, the vibrant colors of the fruits and vegetables dazzled her senses. While sampling fresh empanadas, she overheard a group of locals exchanging jokes, their laughter a melody she struggled to decipher.
- Fome – Boring or dull.
One man said, “¡Ese chiste fue fome!” Maria paused, realizing that even in humor, the Chileans had their own playful spin.
Later, as the sun began to set over the Andes, Maria made her way to a charming café. There, she struck up a conversation with a local named Pablo.
“¿Eres turista?” he asked with a smile. They chatted about their cultures, and Maria learned to admire the Chilean way of storytelling, full of expressions and hand gestures. Pablo used words like “bacán” to describe something cool or great.
- Bacán – Awesome or great.
“Santiago es bacán, especialmente en verano,” he said, which made her laugh at how enthusiastic he was about his city.
Feeling a bit adventurous, Maria decided to try some local slang. When asking for directions, she put her new vocabulary to the test. “¿Dónde está la plaza, po?” she said to a woman on the street. To Maria’s delight, the woman smiled and nodded, sounding pleased with the effort.
As her day drew to a close, Maria reflected on her experiences. She hadn’t just visited a new city; she had embraced a new way of speaking and connecting. The unique dialect of the Chileans enriched her understanding of their culture, transforming each interaction into a memorable adventure.
The next day, she set out with a newfound confidence, ready to uncover even more of Chile—armed with her list of must-know words and the joy of diving into each conversation, one “cachai” at a time.