Hilarious Language Mishaps
Learning Spanish can be challenging, and mastering it can be even trickier. Some Spanish words have different meanings depending on the country where the speaker is from.
You might think you have the language under control, but then you accidentally tell your friend’s mom that you like her vagina. Oops!
Mike Cocke to Guatemala
Let me share a true story with you. Mike Cocke, a dear friend from Boston, learned Spanish in high school and when he was in college he went study abroad in Guatemala.
Since Spanish is widely spoken in many countries and is the second most spoken language in the world, Mike thought he should work on improving his Spanish skills.
Once in Guatemala
Upon arrival, he wanted to put into practice what he has learned back home and, now, what he was absorbing from his study abroad program.
That´s why he was always exploring and trying to find even more exciting experiences in Guatemala.
Learning a new word: chucha
In Guatemala, he learned that the word ¨chucho¨ is for a male dog and ¨chucha¨ for a female dog. He would later learn that learning Spanish can be very complicated and as the song goes:
¨How Hard is to Speak Spanish! If you learned it, stay only in one region.
A year after, during his next adventure in Peru, he will discover that the word ¨chucha¨ can have different connotations. Ayayay! Learning can be painful at times.
Partying in Peru
In Cusco, he met Angela, a beautiful Peruvian lady from Northern Peru. She showed interest in him, and they became very good friends.
When he visited Northern Peru, she invited him to her home to meet her family and friends.
He was thrilled at the chance to meet Angela’s loved ones, as he was quickly developing strong feelings for her.
The day of the event arrived, and Mike made all the necessary preparations. There was no way he would miss this opportunity to meet Angela’s family.
Meeting Kira
As Mike arrives at the party, he begins greeting Angela’s family and the guests. Kira, a Jack Russell female puppy, has been eagerly waiting to welcome the newcomer.
When she gets the chance, she approaches Mike, wagging her tail. Kira sniffs and licks Mike’s hand, while he happily plays with her for a few seconds.
It seems like she likes him, and he looks delighted with her. It’s worth noting that Kira is technically a female dog, known as “chucha” in some Spanish speaking countries.
Whose chucha is this?
Everyone is watching that scene as they smile at the newcomer playing with Kira. Little did Mike know that he was about to become the protagonist of one of the most embarrassing mishaps of his life.
Out of curiosity, he raised his head and asked Angela a question: ¿De quién es (el perro)? (Whose dog is this?) ¿Es tuyo? (Is it yours?) Angela replied: Kira is my mom´s dog. Then, very enthusiastically he replied in Spanish:
¡Me gusta la chucha de tu madre!
The entire room went silent, and for around five to ten seconds, Mike knew that he had said an offensive comment.
Those five to ten seconds seemed like an eternity until he heard one of the guests laughing loudly.
As everyone in the room started laughing, he turned red, not quite understanding what was going on.
Seeing his confusion, Angela approached him and explained that it was only a misunderstanding.
De Guatemala a Guatepeor
The guy intended to say, “I like your mom’s dog,” but he actually said, “I like your mom’s vagina” (me gusta la chucha de tu madre).
We all had a good laugh, but we knew he didn’t mean to say that. Or did he?
¨Chucha¨is not commonly used in Peru to refer to a dog (perro). For Peruvians, ¨chucha¨ has a sexual connotation.
After Angela´s explanation, he seemed even more confused than before.
Regional Word Variations
Once Mike took lessons at Kasa de Franko, he was finally able to understand the different connotations of ¨chucho¨ or ¨chucha¨. Well, this guy learned a word for a dog that isn’t used in South America.
In some regions like Guatemala, they use the word “chucho” or “chucha” for a dog. But in Peru, we don’t use it because “chucha” also means vagina. Quite a mix-up, right?
Additionally, in Peru, ¨chucha¨ is a word that commonly replaces the word ¨mierda¨ (shit/fuck). Theses expressions are very common in Peru, ¨¿qué chucha quieres? (What the fuck do you want?) & ¡ay chucha!¨(Oh shit!).
Funny Teaching Stories
On the same subject: While dogs are referred to as “chucho” in Guatemala, the same word means “stingy” in Honduras, in Colombia ¨smelly¨, and in Chile, it means “jail.” The list goes on!
In Spain, the word “coche” means “car,” but in Guatemala, it’s slang for “pig.” Can you imagine someone from Spain telling a Guatemalan “voy en mi coche”?
The first one is saying, “I am going in my car,” while the other understands, “I am going on my pig.” It’s all about the context and regional variations.
Colorful Spanish Expressions
KDF Instructors have many funny stories to share with their students, and one of the benefits of learning Spanish online with Kasa De Franko is that we can cover these in full detail.
Sometimes we all need some humor to lighten up the session, or in this case, we need to protect our students from getting a hard slap to the face.
Let us share a funny story about a time when our friend Pedro got slapped for “molestating” ladies.
Quirks across Borders
Now that we’ve let a few colorful words slip, let us share a few others you might hear muttered under the breath of Spanish speakers from time to time:
| Español | Inglés |
|---|---|
| ¡Carajo! | Damn |
| ¡Mierda! | Shit, F..ck |
| Verga | Penis |
| ¡Vete al infierno! | Go to hell! |
| ¡Pon la lengua donde no le dé el sol! | Put your tongue where the sun doesn’t shine! |
Exciting Language Journey
Okay, that’s enough for now, but the list goes on. These words may come in handy sometime down the road, you never know! Different meanings may emerge depending on the speaker’s location.
With Spanish being a primary language in twenty-one countries across the world and continually evolving, unique words, slang, and accents are specific to each country.
Embracing cultural differences
Learning a language is not just about vocabulary and grammar; it’s also about understanding cultural nuances and regional differences.
Spanish, with its rich history and diverse speakers, offers a colorful tapestry of expressions, idioms, and word variations that can sometimes lead to humorous misunderstandings.
So, the next time you find yourself learning Spanish or interacting with Spanish speakers, keep these language mishaps in mind.
Take the time to understand regional variations and meanings to avoid any unintentional faux pas.
Laughter: The Language Glue
And remember, humor can be a great tool to connect with others and build relationships across languages and cultures. So be able to laugh at yourself!
If you’re interested in delving deeper into the fascinating world of Spanish, consider enrolling in virtual Spanish classes with Kasa De Franko.
Our experienced teachers can guide you through the language journey, sharing their own funny stories and providing valuable insights into Spanish language quirks.
The expression (¡Me Gusta la Chucha de tu Madre!) may make for a hilarious anecdote, but it’s essential to approach language learning with respect and cultural sensitivity.
Embrace the beauty of language diversity and enjoy the adventure of exploring the Spanish-speaking world.
If you want more…?
If you’d like to read more about these language mishaps, make sure you read our saga Funny Language Blunders. Was this article entertaining? Don’t miss out on “Spanish is Sexy” and “Dancing with Words.” These captivating reads will take your understanding of sensual Spanish vocabulary to the next level.
At Kasa de Franko, we think that these potentially embarrassing situations can arise at any moment during your Spanish learning process.
However, as bad as they may look, we strongly believe they are necessary during our learning journey.
That’s why we’re offering complimentary lessons all year round. If you’ve been enjoying this article, we want to give you even more reasons to love and learn Spanish—especially avoiding embarrassing situations.
Free Lessons at KDF
Get a free lesson at Kasa de Franko and master essential phrases for everyday life. Our lessons go beyond learning dirty words, Spanish is a language full of richness and depth.
Claim your free Spanish lesson now and connect with others who share your passion for learning languages. Simply click the button below to get started on your language-learning journey.
Embrace the beauty of Spanish and all it has to offer, keeping always in mind:
