Luis Alfaro’s Oedipus el Rey is certainly written for an English-speaking audience. But as a Chicano adaptation of the Greek classic, the play is peppered with Spanish words and phrases. The seamless combination of Spanish and English is an important part of the South Central LA culture that provides the backdrop for the play. Below are some basic Spanish words as well as some of the more colorful (to say the least!) phrases you might hear on stage.
an alleluia
religious, born-again Christian
asi
like that
baboso
stupid, a slobbering idiot
barrio
neighborhood
bendito
“simple soul”; blessed
botanica
a shop that sells herbs, charms, and other religious or spiritual items
bruja
witch
cabrón
bastard, son of a bitch (also a Billy goat)
carnal
buddy
chamaco
kid (male)
chi-chi
breast
chingada
a variation of chingado, meaning fucked up
chingon
bad-ass; big shot
chisme
a piece of gossip
chismoso
a gossip
cholo
Chicano male in “gang style”
chula
pretty one, beautiful
churros
strips of fried dough (like a donut)
como no!
of course (lit. how no?)
consejo
advice
cuidate!
but, take care of yourself!
curandero
healer
entonces
then, anyway
ese
what you call your close friend, something like dude or homeboy (used mostly by Chicanos in Southern California)
eso
that, exactly
feliz
happy
la gente
the people
hermano/a
brother/sister
hijo
son
hueseros
bonesetter
huesos
bones
huevon
lazy-ass, stupid
jefe
boss, chief
joven
young man
limpia
cleansing
miedo
fear
mierda
shit
mistico
mystic
mocoso
snot-nosed kid (masculine)
negocios
business
novela
soap opera
ojos
eyes
oye
Hey! literally it means ‘listen’ or ‘to hear’
pendejo
idiot, dumb ass
pinché
fucking (as an adjective curse, not as in sex) also worthless
pleito
argument
puta/puto
whore
rabia
rage
el sobador
uncertified chiropractor/masseuse
tecolote
owl
vato
homeboy
viejo/vieja
old man/woman
ya callate
shut up (NOW)!
