frases chapinas

Saber

Saber technically means to know, but here everyone just says “saber” when they don’t know the answer to a question. It is a way of sorta passing the blame and is used all the time. Also, it’s not pronounced as just “saber” it’s “saaaaaaaber” generally followed with a shrug. It’s really a great quick thing to say, and I have noticed that I say it all the time.

Buen Provecho

Buen Provecho is basically "bon appétit"! After one finishes eating they say “gracias” generally to every person by name, when in the home. Then everyone responds with “buen provecho”, or just “provecho”. It’s really importing to do this tradition, if you don’t you are basically a rude asshole. So, if you ever find yourself in Guatemala remember to say buen provecho before you dig in to your delicious piles of tortillas, huevos, and frijoles.

Puchica!

Puchica means either “wow!” or “just a little fuck” though it isn’t a bad word and kids use it all the time. It’s pretty awesome.

Also, Chapinas also do this weird hand thing where they kind of snap, or it makes a noise like snapping, but it is actually them just slapping their index finger against their thumb and middle finger (which are pressed together). They then whip their hand back and forth literally smacking their index against their other fingers. People do it ALLLLL the time. And it’s one of the most Guatemalan things I have seen in my time here…and after four months I can finally do it. This might actually be my biggest success so far.

Guatemalans also carry their USBs with them everywhere and point with their lips almost all the time.