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Lonely Planet Publications

752

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Language
CONTENTS
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Spanish is the most commonly spoken language in Central America. While English is
the official language of Belize, both Spanish
and a local Creole are also widely spoken.
British and US influences have left other
English-speaking pockets in the region,
most notably among the descendants of
West Indian settlers on the Caribbean coast,
but also in Panama, particularly in the Canal
Zone. Maya is the most common of a
number of indigenous languages and dialects spoken throughout the region.
Every visitor to Central America will
benefit from learning some Spanish, and
its easy to pick up the basics. A language
course taken before departure can lead to a
far more relaxed and rewarding travel experience. You can also enrich your stay by
enrolling in a language course in Central
America. Dont hesitate to practice your
new skills in general, Latin Americans
meet attempts to communicate in their language, however halting, with enthusiasm
and appreciation. Even if classes are impractical, learning a few basic phrases and
pleasantries is a must.

CENTRAL AMERICAN SPANISH


The Spanish of the Americas comes in a
bewildering array of varieties, depending on
the areas in which you travel. Consonants

PRONUNCIATION
Spanish spelling is phonetically consistent,
meaning that theres a clear and consistent
relationship between what you see in writing and how its pronounced.

Vowels

Word Stress

a
e
i
o
u

In general, words ending in vowels or the


letters n or s have stress on the next-to-last
syllable, while those with other endings
have stress on the last syllable.
Written accents denote stress, and override the rules above, eg stano (basement),
Amrica and porcin (portion).

as in father
as in met
as in marine
as in or (without the r sound)
as in rule; the u is not pronounced
after q and in the letter combinations
gue and gui, unless its marked with
a diaeresis (eg argir), in which case
its pronounced as English w
at the end of a word or when it stands
alone, its pronounced as the Spanish
i (eg ley); between vowels within a
word its as the y in yonder

Consonants
As a rule, Spanish consonants resemble
their English counterparts. The exceptions
are listed below. Note that while the consonants ch, ll and are generally considered
distinct letters, ch and ll are now often listed
alphabetically under c and l respectively.
The letter is still treated as a separate letter and comes after n in dictionaries.
b
c
ch
d
g

j
ll

r
rr
v
x
z

similar to English b, but softer;


referred to as b larga
as in celery before e and i; otherwise
as English k
as in church
as in dog, but between vowels and
after l or n, the sound is closer to the
th in this
as the ch in the Scottish loch before
e and i (written as kh in our guides
to pronunciation); elsewhere, g is
pronounced as in go
invariably silent. If your name begins
with this letter, listen carefully if
youre waiting for public officials to
call you.
as the ch in the Scottish loch (kh in
our guides to pronunciation)
as the y in yellow
as the ni in onion
a short r except at the beginning of a
word, and after l, n or s, when its
often rolled
very strongly rolled
similar to English b, but softer;
referred to as b corta
as in taxi except for a very few
words, when its pronounced as j
as the s in sun

GENDER & PLURALS


In Spanish, nouns are either masculine or
feminine, and there are rules to help determine gender with exceptions, of course!
Feminine nouns generally end with -a, -cin,
-sin or -dad. Other endings typically signify
a masculine noun. Endings for adjectives
also change to agree with the gender of
the noun they modify (masculine/feminine
-o/-a). Where both masculine and feminine
forms are included in this language guide,
they are separated by a slash, with the masculine form first, eg perdido/a.
If a noun or adjective ends in a vowel, the
plural is formed by adding s to the end. If
it ends in a consonant, the plural is formed
by adding es to the end.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Im looking for ...
Estoy buscando ...

estoy booskando ...

Where is ...?
Dnde hay ...?

donde ai ...

a campground
un terreno de cmping

oon tereno de kampeen

a guesthouse
una pensin/
casa de huspedes/
hospedaje

oona pensyon/
kasa de wespedes/
ospedakhe

a hotel
un hotel

oon otel

a youth hostel
un albergue juvenil

oon alberge khooveneel

Id like a ... room.


Quisiera una habitacin ... keesyera oona abeetasyon ...

double
doble

doble

single
individual

eendeeveedwal

twin
con dos camas

kon dos kamas

How much is it per night/person/week?


Cunto cuesta por noche/ kwanto kwesta por noche/
persona/semana?
persona/semana

LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE

Central American Spanish


Pronunciation
Gender & Plurals
Accommodations
Conversation & Essentials
Directions
Health
Emergencies
Language Difficulties
Numbers
Shopping & Services
Time & Dates
Transportation
Travel with Children

may be glossed over, vowels squashed into


each other, and syllables even whole
words dropped entirely. Slang and regional vocabulary, much of it derived from
indigenous languages, can further add to
the mix. For example, in Guatemala and
Honduras a soft drink is called a refresco,
but a gaseosa in El Salvador and Nicaragua,
and a soda in Panama. Frequent travel
among the small Central American republics is common, however, so people are generally familiar with these variations; you
should have few problems being understood. (For examples of local slang words,
see the Fast Facts section of the individual
country chapter introductions.)
Throughout Latin America, the Spanish
language is referred to as castellano more
often than espaol. The letters c and z are
never lisped in Latin America; attempts to
do so could well provoke amusement.
Another notable difference is that the
plural of the familiar t (you) is ustedes
rather than vosotros; the latter term will
sound quaint and archaic in the Americas.
In many parts of El Salvador, Honduras and
Costa Rica, the term vos is used instead of
t, and as a result the conjugation of some
verbs can vary slightly. To avoid complication, we havent used the vos form in the
following list of words and phrases. Its a
variant that only affects the familiar form
of speech, so no offence will be taken when
you use t and youll still be understood
everywhere without problem.
For a more in-depth guide to the Spanish
of Central and South America, pick up a
copy of Lonely Planets Latin American
Spanish Phrasebook. Lonely Planet also offers the Costa Rica Spanish Phrasebook for
those interested in the linguistic particulars
of that destination. Another useful resource
worth looking for is the compact University
of Chicago Spanish-English, English-Spanish
Dictionary.

L A N G UA G E G e n d e r & P l u r a l s 753

754 L A N G UA G E C o n v e r s a t i o n & E s s e n t i a l s

(for phone or written requests)

Good afternoon. Buenas tardes.


Good evening/ Buenas noches.
night.

To ...
From ...
Date
I'd like to book ...

The three most common greetings are often


abbreviated to simply buenos (for buenos
das) and buenas (for buenas tardes and
buenas noches).

MAKING A RESERVATION

in the name of ...


for the nights of ...
credit card ...
number
expiry date
Please confirm ...
availability
price

A ...
De ...
Fecha
Quisiera reservar ... (see
under Accommodations
for bed and room options)
en nombre de ...
para las noches del ...
tarjeta de crdito ...
nmero
fecha de vencimiento
Puede confirmar ...
la disponibilidad
el precio

Does it include breakfast?


Incluye el desayuno?

eenklooye el desayoono

May I see the room?


Puedo ver la
habitacin?

pwedo ver la
abeetasyon

I dont like it.


No me gusta.

no me goosta

Its fine. Ill take it.


OK. La alquilo.

okay la alkeelo

Im leaving now.
Me voy ahora.

private/shared
bathroom
too expensive
cheaper
discount

me voy aora
bao privado/
compartido
demasiado caro
ms econmico
descuento

banyo preevado/
komparteedo
demasyado karo
mas ekonomeeko
deskwento

CONVERSATION & ESSENTIALS


In their public behavior, Latin Americans
are very conscious of civilities. You should
never approach a stranger for information
without extending a greeting, such as buenos das or buenas tardes, and you should
use only the polite form of address, especially with the police and public officials.
Central America is generally more formal
than many of the South American countries. The polite form usted (you) is used in
all cases in this guide; where options are
given, the form is indicated by the abbreviations pol and inf.

Goodbye.
See you soon.
Yes.
No.
Please.
Thank you.
Many thanks.
Youre welcome.
Pardon me.
Excuse me.

Adis.
Hasta luego.
S.
No.
Por favor.
Gracias.
Muchas gracias.
De nada.
Perdn.
Permiso.
(used when asking permission)
Forgive me.
Disculpe.
(used when apologizing)

ola
bwenos deeas

adyos
asta lwego
see
no
por favor
grasyas
moochas grasyas
de nada
perdon
permeeso
deeskoolpe

How are things?


Qu tal?

ke tal

Whats your name?


Cmo se llama?
Cmo te llamas?

komo se yama (pol)


komo te yamas (inf)

My name is ...
Me llamo ...

me yamo ...

Its a pleasure to meet you.


Mucho gusto.
El gusto es mo.

me lo podreea eendeekar
(en el mapa)

norte
sur
este/oriente
oeste/occidente
aqu
all
avenida
cuadra
calle/paseo

norte
soor
este/oryente
oeste/okseedente
akee
ayee
aveneeda
kwadra
kalye/paseo

HEALTH

Im pregnant.

DIRECTIONS

Estoy enfermo/a.
Necesito un mdico.

neseseeto oon medeeko

Estoy embarazada.

estoy embarasada
estoy vakoonado/a

Is it far?
esta lekhos

voltee a la eeskyerda

Turn right.
voltee a la derecha

Im lost.
estoy perdeedo/a

Ive been robbed.


Me robaron.

me robaron

Where are the toilets?


Dnde estn los baos? donde estan los banyos

Call ...!
Llame a ...!

yame a

an ambulance
una ambulancia

oona amboolansya

a doctor
un mdico

oon medeeko

the police
la polica

I have ...
diarrhea
nausea
a headache

la poleeseea
Tengo ...
diarrea
nusea
un dolor de
cabeza

tengo ...
dyarea
nowsea
oon dolor de
kabesa

LANGUAGE DIFFICULTIES
Habla/Hablas (ingls)? abla/ablas (eengles) (pol/inf)
Hay alguien que hable ai algyen ke able
ingls?
eengles

I (dont) understand.
yo (no) entyendo

How do you say ...?


soy alerkheeko/a a ...

Cmo se dice ...?

komo se deese ...

What does ... mean?


los anteebyoteekos

a la penicilina

la peneeseeleena

peauts

Qu quiere decir ...?

ke kyere deseer ...

Could you please ...?


Puede ..., por favor?
repetirlo

Im ...
asthmatic
diabetic
epileptic

Soy ...
asmtico/a
diabtico/a
epilptico/a

pwede ... por favor

repeat that

al manee

seega/vaya derecho

Turn left.

me pwede ayoodar
por favor

penicillin
al man

Go straight ahead.

es oona emerkhensya

Me puede ayudar,
por favor?

Yo (no) entiendo.

Im allergic to ...
a los antibiticos

Cmo puedo llegar a ...? komo pwedo lyegar a ...

Es una emergencia.

Could you help me, please?

Does anyone here speak English?

Ive been vaccinated.

Soy alrgico/a ...

sokoro
eensendyo
dekheme
vayase

Do you speak (English)?

Dnde est el hospital? donde esta el ospeetal

Estoy vacunado/a.

Socorro!
Incendio!
Djeme!
Vyase!

Its an emergency.

estoy enfermo/a

antibiotics

How do I get to ...?

Volte a la derecha.

Me lo podra indicar
(en el mapa)?

soy de ...

Puedo sacar una foto? pwedo sakar oona foto

Siga/Vaya derecho.

estoy perdeedo/a

Wheres the hospital?

May I take a photo?

Est lejos?

Estoy perdido/a.

Can you show me (on the map)?

north
south
east
west
here
there
avenue
block
street

Help!
Fire!
Go away!
Get lost!

Estoy perdido/a.

de donde es/eres (pol/inf)

donde esta alokhado (pol)


donde estas alokhado (inf)

Entrance
Exit
Information
Open
Closed
Prohibited
Police Station
Toilets
Men
Women

Im lost.

I need a doctor.

Where are you staying?


Dnde est alojado?
Dnde ests alojado?

EMERGENCIES

Entrada
Salida
Informacin
Abierto
Cerrado
Prohibido
Comisaria
Servicios/Baos
Hombres/Varones
Seoras/Damas

el goosto es meeo

Im from ...
Soy de ...

SIGNS

Im sick.

Where are you from?


De dnde es/eres?

L A N G UA G E H e a l t h 755

moocho goosto

The pleasure is mine.

Volte a la izquierda.

Hello.
Hola.
Good morning. Buenos das.

bwenas tardes
bwenas noches

lonelyplanet.com

soy ...
asmateeko/a
dyabeteeko/a
epeelepteeko/a

repeteerlo

speak more slowly


hablar ms despacio

ablar mas despasyo

write it down
escribirlo

eskreebeerlo

LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE

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20
21
30
31
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
101
200
1000
5000
10,000
50,000
100,000

I dont like it.


uno
dos
tres
cuatro
cinco
seis
siete
ocho
nueve
diez
once
doce
trece
catorce
quince
diecisis
diecisiete
dieciocho
diecinueve
veinte
veintiuno
treinta
treinta y uno
cuarenta
cincuenta
sesenta
setenta
ochenta
noventa
cien
ciento uno
doscientos
mil
cinco mil
diez mil
cincuenta mil
cien mil

oono
dos
tres
kwatro
seenko
says
syete
ocho
nweve
dyes
onse
dose
trese
katorse
keense
dyeseesays
dyeseesyete
dyeseeocho
dyeseenweve
vaynte
vaynteeoono
traynta
traynta ee oono
kwarenta
seenkwenta
sesenta
setenta
ochenta
noventa
syen
syento oono
dosyentos
meel
seenko meel
dyes meel
seenkwenta meel
syen meel

SHOPPING & SERVICES


Id like to buy ...
Quisiera comprar ...

keesyera komprar

Im just looking.
Slo estoy mirando.

solo estoy meerando

May I look at it?


Puedo mirarlo/la?

pwedo meerarlo/la

How much is it?


Cunto cuesta?

kwanto kwesta

Thats too expensive for me.


Es demasiado caro
para m.

es demasyado karo
para mee

Could you lower the price?


Podra bajar un poco
el precio?

podreea bakhar oon poko


el presyo

No me gusta.

letter
carta
registered mail certificado
stamps
estampillas

no me goosta

Ill take it.


Lo llevo.

lo yevo
aseptan

American dollars
dlares americanos

dolares amereekanos

credit cards
tarjetas de crdito

tarkhetas de kredeeto

travelers checks
cheques de viajero

chekes de vyakhero

less
more
large
small

menos
ms
grande
pequeo/a

Im looking
for the ...
ATM

Estoy buscando ... estoy booskando

el cajero
automtico
bank
el banco
bookstore
la librera
embassy
la embajada
exchange house la casa de
cambio
general store la tienda
laundry
la lavandera
market
el mercado
pharmacy/
la farmacia/
chemist
la botica
post office
el correo
supermarket
el supermercado

tourist office

la oficina de
turismo

menos
mas
grande
pekenyo/a

el kakhero
owtomateeko
el banko
la leebrereea
la embakhada
la kasa de
kambyo
la tyenda
la lavandereea
el merkado
la farmasya/
la boteeka
el koreo
el sooper
merkado
la ofeeseena de
tooreesmo

What time does it open/close?


A qu hora abre/cierra?
a ke ora abre/syera

I want to change some money/travelers checks.


Quiero cambiar dinero/cheques de viajero.
kyero kambyar deenero/chekes de vyakhero

What is the exchange rate?


Cul es el tipo de cambio?
kwal es el teepo de kambyo

I want to call ...

What time is it?


Its one oclock.
Its seven
oclock.
midnight
noon
half past two
now
today
tonight
tomorrow
yesterday

Qu hora es?
Es la una.
Son las siete.

ke ora es
es la oona
son las syete

medianoche
medioda
dos y media
ahora
hoy
esta noche
maana
ayer

medyanoche
medyodeea
dos ee medya
aora
oy
esta noche
manyana
ayer

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

lunes
martes
mircoles
jueves
viernes
sbado
domingo

loones
martes
myerkoles
khweves
vyernes
sabado
domeengo

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

enero
febrero
marzo
abril
mayo
junio
julio
agosto
septiembre
octubre
noviembre
diciembre

enero
febrero
marso
abreel
mayo
khoonyo
khoolyo
agosto
septyembre
oktoobre
novyembre
deesyembre

TRANSPORTATION

Public Transportation
What time does A qu hora
a ke ora
... leave/arrive? sale/llega ...?
sale/yega ...
the bus
el autobus
el owtoboos
the plane
el avin
el avyon
the ship
el barco/buque el barko/booke
the train
el tren
el tren
airport
train station

Quiero llamar a ...


kyero lyamar a ...

bus station
airmail
black market

karta
serteefeekado
estampeelyas

TIME & DATES

Do you accept ...?


Aceptan ...?

L A N G UA G E Ti m e & D a t e s 757

correo areo
koreo aereo
mercado (negro/ merkado negro/
paralelo)
paralelo

bus stop

el aeropuerto
la estacin de
ferrocarril
la estacin de
autobuses
la parada de
autobuses

el aeropwerto
la estasyon de
ferokareel
la estasyon de
owtobooses
la parada de
owtobooses

luggage check
room
ticket office

guardera/
equipaje
la boletera

gwardereea/
ekeepakhe
la boletereea

Id like a ticket to ...


Quisiera un boleto a ... keesyera oon boleto a ...

Whats the fare to ...?


Cunto cuesta hasta ...? kwanto kwesta asta ...

1st class
2nd class
single/one-way
return/roundtrip
taxi

primera clase
segunda clase
ida
ida y vuelta

preemera klase
segoonda klase
eeda
eeda ee vwelta

taxi

taksee

Private Transportation
Id like to
hire a ...
bicycle
car
4WD
motorcycle
pickup (truck)
truck
hitchhike

Quisiera
alquilar ...
una bicicleta

keesyera
alkeelar ...
oona beesee
kleta
un auto
oon owto
un todo terreno oon todo tereno
una moto
oona moto

camioneta
camin
hacer dedo/
pedir un ride

kamyoneta
kamyon
aser dedo/
pedeer oon ride

ROAD SIGNS

Acceso
Entrance
Aparcamiento
Parking
Ceda el Paso
Give Way
Despacio
Slow
Direccin nica
One-way
Mantenga Su Derecha Keep to the Right
No Adelantar/
No Passing
No Rebase
Peaje
Toll
Peligro
Danger
Prohibido Aparcar/ No Parking
No Estacionar
Prohibido el Paso
No Entry
Pare/Stop
Stop
Salida de Autopista Freeway Exit
Is this the road to (...)?
Se va a (...) por
esta carretera?

se va a (...) por
esta karetera

Wheres a petrol station?


Dnde hay una
gasolinera/un grifo?

donde ai oona
gasoleenera/oon greefo

LANGUAGE

LANGUAGE

NUMBERS

lonelyplanet.com

758 L A N G UA G E T r a v e l w i t h C h i l d re n

I have a flat tyre.

CROSSING THE BORDER

birth certificate
border (frontier)
car registration
car-owners title
customs
drivers license
identification
immigration
insurance
passport
temporary vehicle
import permit
tourist card
visa

lonelyplanet.com

Tengo un pinchazo.

certificado de nacimiento
la frontera
registracin
ttulo de propiedad
aduana
licencia de manejar
identificacin
inmigracin
seguro
pasaporte
permiso de importacin
temporal de vehculo
tarjeta de turista
visado

Me qued sin gasolina. me kede seen gasoleena

Ive had an accident.


Tuve un accidente.

Lleno, por favor.

yeno por favor

Id like (20) liters.


Quiero (veinte) litros.

I need ...
Necesito ...
Hay ...?

petrol (gas)
unleaded

plomo
gasolina
gasolina sin
plomo

deesel
gasoleena kon
plomo
gasoleena
gasoleena seen
plomo

ai ...

a car baby seat


un asiento de seguridad
para bebs

oon asyento de segooreeda


para bebes

a child-minding service
oon serveesyo de kweedado
de neenyos

a childrens menu
oona karta eenfanteel

a creche
una guardera

diesel
diesel
leaded (regular) gasolina con

neseseeto ...

Do you have ...?

una carta infantil


kyero (vaynte) leetros

toove oon akseedente

TRAVEL WITH CHILDREN

un servicio de cuidado
de nios

Please fill it up.

tengo oon peenchaso

Ive run out of petrol.

oona gwardereea

(disposable) diapers/nappies
paales (de usar y
tirar)

panyales (de oosar ee


teerar)

an (English-speaking) babysitter
una niera
(de habla inglesa)

oona neenyera
(de abla eenglesa)

formula (milk)
(How long) Can I park here?
(Por cunto tiempo)
Puedo aparcar aqu?

(por kwanto tyempo)


pwedo aparkar akee

Where do I pay?
Dnde se paga?

donde se paga

LANGUAGE

una trona

oona trona

una pelela

oona pelela

a pusher/stroller
neseseeto oon
mekaneeko

The car has broken down (in ...).


El carro se ha averiado el karo se a averyado
(en ...)
(en ...).

The motorcycle wont start.


No arranca la moto.

leche en polvo

a potty

I need a mechanic.
Necesito un
mecnico.

leche en polvo

a highchair

no aranka la moto

Also available from Lonely Planet:


Latin American Spanish Phrasebook

un cochecito

oon kocheseeto

Do you mind if I breast-feed here?


Le molesta que d
de pecho aqu?

le molesta ke de
de pecho akee

Are children allowed?


Se admiten nios?

se admeeten neenyos

759

Glossary
See the Language chapter, p752, for other
useful words and phrases.
aguardiente clear, potent liquor made from
sugarcane; also referred to as caa

aguas de frutas fruit flavoured water drink


almuerzo lunch; sometimes used to mean an
inexpensive set lunch
apartado post-office box
artesana handicraft
Av abbreviation for avenida (avenue)
ayuntamiento municipal government

baha bay
bajareque traditional wall construction, where a core
of stones is held in place by poles of bamboo or other wood
then covered with stucco or mud
balboa national currency of Panama
balneario public beach or swimming area
barrio district; neighborhood
bistec grilled or fried beef steak
Black Caribs see Garfuna
bocas appetizers, often served with drinks in a bar

caballeros literally horsemen, but corresponds to the


English gentlemen; look for the term on bathroom doors

cabaa cabin or bungalow


cabina see cabaa; also a loose term for cheap lodging in

storage or ceremonial purposes

cerro hill
cerveza beer
ceviche seafood marinated in lemon or lime juice, garlic
and seasonings
Chac Maya rain god; his likeness appears on many ruins
chacmool Maya sacrificial stone sculpture
chamarra thick, heavy woolen blanket (Guatemala)
chapn citizen of Guatemala; Guatemalan
chicha fruit juice mixed with sugar and water (Panama)
chicken bus former US school bus used for public
transportation
cine movie theater
ciudad city
cocina literally kitchen; small, basic restaurant, or
cookshop, usually found in or near municipal markets
cofrada religious brotherhood, particularly in highland
Guatemala
colectivo shared taxi or minibus that picks up and
drops off passengers along its route
coln national currency of Costa Rica
comedor basic and cheap eatery, usually with a limited
menu
comida a la vista meal served buffet- or cafeteria-style
comida corrida meal of the day; set meal of several
courses, usually offered at lunchtime
comida corriente mixed plate of different foods
typical of the local region
conquistador any of the Spanish explorer-conquerors
of Latin America
Contras counterrevolutionary military groups fighting
against the Sandinista government in Nicaragua
throughout the 1980s
cordillera mountain range
crdoba national currency of Nicaragua
correo areo airmail
corte piece of material 7m to 10m long that is used as
a wraparound skirt
costa coast

GLOSSARY

Costa Rica (in some cases it refers to cabins or bungalows, in


others it refers merely to an economical hotel room)
cafetera literally coffee shop; any informal restaurant
with waiter service (not a selfservice establishment as
implied by the English cafeteria)
cafetn small cafetera
cajero automtico automated teller machine (ATM)
calle street
callejn alley; small, narrow or very short street
calzada causeway
camin truck; bus
camioneta pickup truck
campesino farmer
caa see aguardiente
Carr abbreviation for carretera (highway)
Carretera Interamericana Interamerican Hwy,
or Interamericana (also referred to as the Pan-American
Hwy, or Pan-Americana); the nearly continuous highway
running from Alaska to Chile (it breaks at the Darin Gap
in Panama)
casa de cambio currency exchange office

casa de huspedes guesthouse


casado cheap set meal, usually served at lunchtime
cascada waterfall
caseta telfonica telephone call station
catedral cathedral
cay small island of sand or coral fragments
caye see cay
cayo see cay
cayuco dugout canoe
cenote large, natural limestone cave used for water

760

criollo Creole; born in Latin America of Spanish parentage; on the Caribbean coast it refers to someone of mixed
African and European descent; see also mestizo and ladino
cuadra city block
cueva cave
damas ladies; the usual sign on bathroom doors
edificio building
empanada Chilean-style turnover stuffed with meat or
cheese and raisins
entrada entrance
expreso express bus

faja waist sash that binds garments and holds what


would otherwise be put in pockets

finca farm; plantation; ranch


fritanga sidewalk barbecue, widely seen in Nicaragua
fuerte fort
gallo pinto common meal of blended rice and beans
Garfuna descendants of West African slaves and Carib
Indians, brought to the Caribbean coast of Central America
in the late 18th century from the island of St Vincent; also
referred to as Black Caribs
Garinagu see Garfuna
gaseosa soft drink
gibnut small, brown-spotted rodent similar to a guinea
pig; also called paca
golfo gulf
gringo/a mildly pejorative term used in Latin America
to describe male/female foreigners, particularly those from
North America; often applied to any visitor of European
heritage
gruta cave
guacamole a salad of mashed or chopped avocados,
onions and tomatoes
guaro local firewater made with sugarcane (Costa Rica)

hacienda agricultural estate or plantation; treasury, as


in Departamento de Hacienda (Treasury Department)

hospedaje guesthouse
huipil long, woven, white sleeveless tunic with
intricate, colorful embroidery (Maya regions)

iglesia church
indgena indigenous
Interamericana see Carretera Interamericana
internacionalistas volunteers from all over the
world who contributed to rebuilding Nicaragua when the
Sandinistas assumed power
invierno winter; Central Americas wet season, which
extends roughly from April through mid-December
isla island
IVA impuesto al valor agregado; value-added tax

junco type of basket weaving

plato del da plate (or meal) of the day


plato tpico mixed plate of various foods typical or

ladino person of mixed indigenous and European

characteristic of a place or region


playa beach
pollera Spanish-influenced national dress of
Panamanian women, worn for festive occasions
pozo spring
propina tip; gratuity
pueblo small town or village
puente bridge
puerta gate; door
puerto port; harbor
pulpera corner store; minimart
punta point; traditional Garfuna dance involving much
hip movement
pupusa cornmeal mass stuffed with cheese or refried
beans, or a mixture of both (El Salvador)

parentage, often used to describe a mestizo who speaks


Spanish; see also mestizo and criollo
lago lake
laguna lagoon; lake
lancha small motorboat
lempira national currency of Honduras
leng colloquial Mayan term for coins (Guatemalan
highlands)
licuado fresh fruit drink, blended with milk or water
lista de correos poste restante (general delivery) mail

malecn waterfront promenade


mar sea
marimba xylophone-like instrument
men del da fixed-price meal of several courses
mercado market
Mesoamerica a geographical region extending from
central Mexico to northwestern Costa Rica

quebrada ravine; brook


quetzal national currency of Guatemala, named for the
tropical bird

mestizo person of mixed ancestry, usually Spanish and


rancho thatched-roof restaurant
refresco soda, or soft drink; drink made with local fruits

indigenous; see also criollo and ladino


metate flat stone on which corn is ground
migracin immigration; immigration office
milpa cornfield
mirador lookout
mola colorful hand-stitched appliqu textile made by
Kuna Indians
muelle pier
municipalidad town hall
museo museum

Mayan sites of Mexico, Guatemala and Belize (chiefly), but


also El Salvador and Honduras

Navidad Christmas

sacb ceremonial limestone avenue or path between

(Costa Rica)
ro river

ropa vieja literally old clothes; spicy shredded beef


and rice dish (Panama)

rosticera restaurant selling roast meats


Ruta Maya Maya Route, describing travels to the

Semana Santa Holy Week, the week preceding Easter


sendero path or trail
sierra mountain range; saw
soda place that serves a counter lunch; soda or soft
drink (Panama)

sorbetera ice-cream parlor


stela, stelae standing stone monument of the ancient
Maya, usually carved
supermercado supermarket, from a corner store to a
large, Western-style supermarket

taller shop; workshop


tamale boiled or steamed cornmeal filled with chicken
or pork, usually wrapped in a banana leaf

tapado rich Garfuna stew made from fish, shrimp,


shellfish, coconut milk and plantain, spiced with coriander

templo temple; church


terminal de autobus bus terminal
Tico/a male/female inhabitant of Costa Rica
tienda small shop
tpica see tpico
tpico typical or characteristic of a region, particularly
used to describe food; also a form of Panamanian folkloric
music
traje traditional handmade clothing
turicentro literally tourist center; outdoor recreation
center with swimming facilities, restaurants and camping
(El Salvador)

vegetariano/a male/female vegetarian


venado deer; venison
verano summer; Central Americas dry season, roughly
from mid-December to April

oficina de correos post office


ordinario slow bus
paca see gibnut
PADI Professional Association of Diving Instructors
palacio de gobierno building housing the executive
offices of a state or regional government
palacio municipal city hall; seat of the corporation or
municipal government
palapa thatched, palm leaf-roofed shelter with open sides
PanAmericana see Carretera Interamericana
pan de coco coconut bread
panadera bakery
panga small motorboat
parada bus stop
parque park; sometimes also used to describe a plaza
parque nacional national park
pea folkloric club; evening of music, song and dance
pensin guesthouse
petn island

Maya cities
salida exit
sancocho spicy meat-and-vegetable stew, the national
dish of Panama
santo saint

viajero/a male/female traveler


volcn volcano
Zapatistas members of the leftwing group Ejrcito
Zapatista de Liberacin Nacional (EZLN), fighting for
indigenous rights in Chiapas, Mexico

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GLOSSARY

GLOSSARY

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GLOSSARY

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