List of Puerto Rican slang words and phrases

This article is a summary of common slang words and phrases used in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican Spanish differs significantly from other dialects of Spanish for various reasons. One reason is the island's status as a commonwealth of the United States, which adds sizable English influences to the language of Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans often use anglicisms and words made directly from English; for example, "janguiar" means "to hang out". Puerto Rican Spanish is also influenced by the language of the Taíno people, the original inhabitants of the islands. It is further influenced by the languages of the African slaves brought to Puerto Rico by colonial Spain, and by the Spanish dialects of immigrants from the Canary islands and Andalusia. An example of the latter is Puerto Ricans often leaving "d" sounds out of words, for instance the word "arrancado" (ripped out) is commonly pronounced and spelled "arrancao". Idiomatic expressions may be difficult to translate fully and may have multiple meanings, so the English translations below may not reflect the full meaning of the expression they intend to translate.

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Pronounced: Weh - pah; you must say it nasally or there is no true jubilant effect. Student 1: I just a 98 on my Chemistry final! Student 2: All right, man! WEPA!

Puerto Rican singer: ¿Estamos listos? (Are we ready?) Audience: WEPA!!!!

Priest: I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride. Attendee: WEEEEEEEPAAAAAAAAAAAAA! (applauding the couple as he says it) (credit - Urban Dictionary)

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References

  1. ^ Dramatizan “¡a galletazo limpio!” Zenaida Ramos Ramos. El Vocero de Puerto Rico. San Juan, Puerto Rico. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
  2. ^ Comparte tus fotos.. ¡y tesoros del país!.José Maldonado. La Perla del Sur. Ponce, Puerto Rico. 21 December 2011. Photo 2 of 4 in the Foto Gallery. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
  3. ^ Ay bendito! Sanford and Sons' "The Puerto Ricans Are Coming". Culture Kitchen. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  4. ^ The One That Says "Ay Bendito, Coquí, Coquí" Ese Sí Es de Aquí. RedBubble Pty. Ltd. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  5. ^ Ay Bendito's Real Meaning. Gil The Jenius. 19 September 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  6. ^ Buena Vista: life and work on a Puerto Rican hacienda, 1833-1904. Guillermo A. Baralt. Page 75. University of North Carolina Press. 1999. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
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