Glossary of Spanish words and phrases - Dallas Theater Center

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Luis Alfaro's Oedipus el Rey is certainly written for an English-speaking audience ... not as in sex); also worthless. PLEITO argument. PUTA/PUTO whore. RABIA.
Glossary of Spanish words and phrases BY JOHN M. BAKER, WOOLLY MAMMOTH LITERARY MANAGER AND FORMER LITERARY ASSISTANT MAURA KRAUSE

Luis Alfaro’s Oedipus el Rey is certainly written for an English-speaking audience. But as a Chicano adaptation of the Greek classic, the play is peppered with Spanish words and phrases. The seamless combination of Spanish and English is an important part of the South Central LA culture that provides the backdrop for the play.

AN ALLELUIA

religious, born-again Christian

CHURROS

ASI

strips of fried dough (like a donut)

BABOSO

of course (lit. how no?)

BARRIO

advice

BENDITO

but, take care of yourself!

BOTANICA

healer

like that stupid, a slobbering idiot neighborhood “simple soul”; blessed

COMO NO! CONSEJO CUIDATE!

CURANDERO

a shop that sells herbs, charms, and other religious or spiritual items

QENTONCES

BRUJA

what you call your close friend, something like "dude" or "homeboy" (used mostly by Chicanos in Southern California)

witch

CABRÓN

bastard, son of a bitch (also a Billy goat)

then, anyway

ESE

LIMPIA cleansing

MIEDO fear

MIERDA sh*t

MOCOSO

snot-nosed kid (masculine)

NEGOCIOS business

NOVELA soap opera

OJOS eyes

OYE

Hey! (lit. ‘listen’ or ‘to hear’)

PENDEJO

idiot, dumb ass

CARNAL

ESO

PINCHÉ

CHAMACO

FELIZ

PLEITO

CHI-CHI

LA GENTE

CHINGADA

HERMANO/A

buddy

kid (male) breast

a variation of chingado, meaning f*cked-up

that, exactly happy

the people

brother/sister

HIJO

CHINGON

son

CHISME

bonesetter

CHISMOSO

bones

CHOLO

lazy-ass, stupid

CHULA

boss, chief

bad-ass; big shot a piece of gossip gossipy

Chicano male in “gang style” pretty one, beautiful

12

D a l l a s T heater Center

HUESEROS HUESOS HUEVON JEFE

JOVEN

young man

f*cking (as an adjective curse, not as in sex); also worthless argument

PUTA/PUTO whore

RABIA rage

EL SOBADOR

uncertified chiropractor/ masseuse

TECOLOTE owl

VATO

homeboy

VIEJO/VIEJA old man/woman

YA CALLATE shut up (NOW)!