Featured Words
Chapín
A person from Guatemala; Guatemalan
adjectiveChilero
Cool, awesome, great, excellent
nounChompipe
Turkey (the bird)
expressionMuchá
Informal term for a group of friends or buddies
nounPatojo
Kid, child, young person. It can be used in masculine (patojo) or feminine (patoja) forms.
interjectionPuchica
Mild expletive expressing surprise, frustration, or amazement
Latest words added
Chamarreada
A crushing defeat or a sound thrashing in a game, especially in a sports context.
expressionDe a sombrero
Used to positively describe someone, their appearance, the outcome of something, or the good condition of an object.
nounFanfa
A proud or show-off person; shortened from "fanfarrón" (braggart).
adjectiveSabroso
Something delicious or tasty; colloquially, a physically attractive person, or someone bold, lively and fond of dancing and having fun.
nounTapesco
A rustic frame or structure made of sticks, canes, or planks; it serves as an improvised bed, an elevated shelf, or for shelling and transporting loads.
expressionMe llegas
Expression meaning you really like something or someone, find it excellent, or strongly agree with someone.
What are Chapinismos?
Chapín Identity and Language
Chapinismos are the words, expressions, and idioms unique to Guatemala, forming an integral part of Guatemalan cultural identity. These unique expressions reflect the creativity, humor, and particular way in which Guatemalans communicate in daily life.
History and Community
Each chapinismo tells a story and represents centuries of cultural mestizaje, fusing influences from colonial Spanish, Mayan languages, and expressions born from everyday Guatemalan life. From the highlands to the coast, these words connect us as a people and enrich our linguistic heritage.
Guatemalan Cultural Richness
Guatemala is a multilingual and multicultural country where more than 20 Mayan languages coexist with Spanish. This diversity is reflected in our daily vocabulary, where chapinismos become cultural bridges that express our unique way of seeing the world, our shared history, and the pride of being Guatemalan.
The words in this dictionary are commonly used in Guatemala, but that doesn't mean they aren't used in other countries in the region. In fact, some may have originated in neighboring countries.
Contribute to the Dictionary
This is an open source project and anyone can contribute to grow the dictionary.
Send a Contribution or Idea
You can contribute without technical knowledge by sending us new words, corrections, meanings, or usage examples through a simple form. Your contribution helps us keep the dictionary alive and growing.
Contribute now!Technical Contributions
Developers can add new words, improve the code, or report bugs on GitHub.
View on GitHub