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
Me llegas
Expression meaning you really like something or someone, find it excellent, or strongly agree with someone.
expression¿Me regalás una manita?
Colloquial phrase to ask someone for help or assistance.
nounMolleja
Gizzard (bird's digestive organ); colloquially in Guatemala used as a mild term for a naive, foolish, or careless person, similar to «pijije».
nounPijije
A whistling duck native to Central American wetlands; in Western Guatemala it is also used colloquially as a mild, almost affectionate term for a naive or foolish person.
expressionVieras que
A conversational opener used in Central America to capture attention or begin a story, similar to «you see», «so you know» or «you won't believe it but».
adjectiveEngasado
Bold or really into something or someone.
Word of the Day
Thursday, July 30, 2026
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