Dominican Spanish: One Word at a Time

By Timothy P. Banse

Learn Dominican Spanish One Word at a Time - It's Easy

 

No matter whether you are traveling to the Dominican Republic as a tourist, a student, or moving there as an expatriate, this guide will serve you well. You already know the Spanish spoken by Dominicanos is a distinct and unique idiom, rich with words, phrases, and slang they don't teach in high school Spanish class.

Intended for English speakers, this book shares common words, phrases, and slang you need to communicate in everyday situations like when:

• Ordering a meal in a restaurant
• Ordering a drink in a bar.
• Bargain for fresh produce at the mercado.
• While flirting,
• When getting street directions.
• When hiring a taxi.
• Snorkeling on the coral reefs
• Zip-lining in the jungle
• Relaxing on beautiful beaches.

That said, be advised that this little book is neither a complete course in learning the Spanish language nor a textbook. Instead of a scholarly work, it is a basic introduction to Dominican Republic Spanish, a good beginner's guide you can handily carry on your travels, either in your back pocket or tucked away in a backpack. This guide contains a wealth of words and expressions you can look up when you hear or read them to know what is happening around you.

The best strategy: Before you go, spend a night or two curled up with the book gaining familiarity with the wisdom it contains. That way, when you hear a vaguely familiar word on the street, you will know which page to consult to jog your memory. Even if you studied Spanish in high school, learning a few words of Dominican Republic-specific slang pays big dividends through more enjoyable conversation. And even more importantly, it will help you fit in a little better. Instead of being seen as some soul-less gringo tourist, the locals will hold you in higher esteem. As a result, you may make new friends, and as a bonus, perhaps get a better price on a hotel room or lower prices while shopping.

 

A Sampling of Dominican Republic Foods:

• Ahuyama - A yam used in many soups for nutrition and color
• Ají - A generic pepper
• Aji Verde - Green pepper
• Albóndigas - meatballs
• Alcachofas - artichokes
• Algarrobo - This is an extraordinary, fuzzy textured fruit. When opened, it reeks, hence its nickname, mierda en cajeta (shit in a little box) texture. Once you get past the foul odor, the fruit is sweet and delicious.
• Arbejas - peas
• Arenque - stewed herring
• Arepa - is a spicy, baked pudding made from cornmeal and coconut
• Arepitas de Maíz - fried cornmeal cakes that resemble cornbread
• Bacalaítos - codfish fritters
• Bacalao - codfish
• Barbacoa - barbecue
• Batata Frita - sweet potato fritters
• Batata - sweet potato
• Batida - a drink blended with fruit, ice, sugar, and either regular or Carnation milk

Before you go, why not invest an evening or two curled up with this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Middle Coast Publishing
• Release date: Feb 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215328118

Book preview

A

A caco - to shave a head bald, especially when trying to hide hair loss.

A nivel - when something is pleasurable, or really cool

A po' ta' bien - Ah, it's OK.

Abombao - when someone had lots to eat.

Abombarse - rotten or spoiled food, fruit and water.

Abur-Abur - equal to bye-bye.

Ace - powdered soap, laundry soap.

Acechar - to watch or control.

Acetona - Nail polish remover.

Aficiao - to be enamored with, in love with or completely smothered by another person.

Agallú - greedy, one who does not share.

Aguajero - braggart, a bullshitter who talks a lot but does nothing.

Agolpear - (Golpear) to strike, hit.

Aguacero - a hard rain, a downpour.

Ahora - now.

Ahorita - Soon, later. In reality, perhaps never in Dominican time. Can mean both past and future depending on context.

Anchoas, anchoitas - pin curls.

Anjá - sort of like saying What! Wow!

Ajebrarse - to physically fight with another person.

Ají chili/hot pepper (Arawak).

Ajumao - drunk.

Al trisito - when something is about to happen or almost happened.

Alante - to move ahead, to go forward, to call the next person in a line. Similar to adelante

Alelao - As slow as a snail, a man who is a little slow or stupid.

Allantoso - Braggart, phony.

AMET - (El AMET) the traffic police.

Allante - liar.

Amemao - silly.

Amorcita - my little love (feminine or masculine), a term of endearment not necessarily love.

Anacaona - golden flower (Arawak).

Anda el Diablo  - an exclamation with the emphasis on the word anda. Used like the word Damn! when surprised or frustrated. Translated loosely as The devil walks, or hanging out with the devil. (Often pronounced as one word: Andaeldiablo)

Añuga - to choke.

Apagón - an electrical blackout.

A su orden - You’re welcome or, it's nothing.

Apechurrao, Apiñao, Apeñucao - to be very tightly, packed together like sardines.

Apiñar - to gather things or people.

Aplatanado - means you have become a Dominican because you have eaten your share of plantains.

Aplicar - to apply for a job.

Aposento - archaic Spanish for chamber, in modern day DR, it means habitación (room).

Apota - intentionally, deliberately.

Arma una piña - to look for a fight.

Arepa - the ubiquitous corn cake (Arawak).

Arrecho - for a man to be excited sexually, erect.

Arretao´- a very bold person to the point of