Speak Dominican ...
Speak Dominican

Dominican words and frases you don't find in your dictionary

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    MACHETE
    Not only a common cutting instrument, Dominicans also use it to describe the value of something -- instead to have cost you "one and a half grand" it actually was: "one machete and a half" !
    It is also heard as an exclamation of joy and to signal that an event or action will ne continued:
    I already have gone twice through this delicious buffet, but what the heck -- machete !
    MACUTEAR
    Used in other Latino countries as a noun, Dominicans use this verb to describe a very common scene if you are taking part in the daily road traffic; imagine coming round the curve and being stopped by a police patrol,instead of showing your driver's license you show some legal tender, which is expected by the cops to be handed over -- so they let you keep going. Note: we are taking about petty cash here and as most drivers have to fear a more thorough inspection for various reasons -- like your have not renewed your license for ten years or so, macutearing is widely accepted still
    MAI
    Seems to have been derived from the portuguese language "mae"; this expression is heard in the broad dialect of the Cibao Valley and describes a close family member; do you always call your mom "Mother" ?
    MAIPOLA
    This mom is better not part of your family as she is running a type of motel/hotel where you are charged by the hour !
    MALOSO, MALOSA
    You are sweating even with the aircondition running, your eyes are hurting, you feel weak in the body ... well you are maloso/malosa for Dominican standards.
    MAMPARA,MAMPARO
    If you are called a mamparo/mampara you have aroused suspicion about your commercial activities: perhaps you are not really the owner of this company or you are living of mapara/mamparo -- someone else's money ?
    MANDUCA
    It is made of corn, delicious and may substitute the pancakes for breakfast.
    MANGO
    Yes, its is the fruit you most likely all now, but the campesinos call them by type and there are many different ones to be found, here a few:
  • Banilejo : "from Bani" considered to be the best -- we agree
  • Gota de Oro: "drops of gold" -- for juice
  • El Brujito: "magician" -- very strong taste, sometimes tart
  • Chancleta: "slipper" -- resembles one in shape
  • Durito: "quite hard" -- use it for salads

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    NEGOCITO
    If you ever have walked the streets of Dominican cities you will find all sorts of commercial activities held right there on "sidewalk shops and rhinestone offices" commonly classified with this diminutive.
    NINGUN & NA
    Widely used as a negative adjective Dominican mean the same by either saying:
    • You are ningún sick, just lazy !
    • You are sick ná. just lazy !
    NO SABER NI JOTA
    If you are considered to the above you really are a complete ignorant !
    NO SACARLE A UNO EL GUANTE E LA CARA
    Not a boxing expression but used for verbal attacks, mainly in political infights .
    NO SER CASCARA DE COCO
    Not that the shells (skin) of a coconut is totally unimportant but if you want to be someone over here, you 'd better not be made of cascara de coco ! Keep visiting -- will be continued !!! If you know a word or frase, you would like to ask about or include in this list -- E-mail Us.

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    Updated: August 7, 1997 solution4u@usa.net