Sometimes, traveling teaches us words that we have never heard before, even if we are fluent in the dominant language of the region. When we travel to England, for example, the American English-speaker may be surprised to hear the diaper referred to as a “nappy” or the stroller referred to as a “pram”.
The same is true of Spanish. There are several Spanish synonyms as you travel throughout Spanish-speaking countries… and even within the countries themselves! Different words can be used to refer to the same thing, and the same word can mean different things in different places!
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English:
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Spanish:
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Notes:
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Cake
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Most: pastel
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru: torta Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico: bizcocho Spain: tarta |
“Torta” in Mexico means “sandwich” (torta de jamón)
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Baby
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Most: bebé
Argentina, Uruguay: beba (girl), bebe (boy) Chile, Bolivia: guagua |
In Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, a “guagua” is a bus.
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Popcorn
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Cuba: rositas de maíz
Argentina: pochoclo
Venezuela: cotufa
Spain, Mexico: palomitas, palomitas de maíz
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Jacket
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Most: chaqueta
Argentina: campera
Dominican Republic, Panama: saco
Mexico: chamarra
Peru: casca
Puerto Rico: blazer (women), gabán (men)
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In Spain, a “saco” is a large bag, for example, a large bag of potatoes.
In Mexico “saco” is used for suits.
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