Snarkpopotamus

let’s explain these Dominican words:

dreaminginspanish:

jesperez:

Guineo – a banana

Platano – plantain
(NB: a plantain is firmer and lower in sugar content than “dessert” bananas. Bananas are almost always eaten raw, while plantains tend to be cooked or otherwise processed, and are used either when green or unripe (starchy) or overripe (sweet). In D.R. it is one of the most important staple food.)

Mangú – a traditional Dominican dish made from boiled green plantains and mashed together to a delicious gobbledygook. It is usually mixed or covered with grated cheese and onions. Legend has it that the name comes from a gringo eating mangú and exclaimed “man, it’s good!”

Tostones – (Spanish verb ‘tostar’ which means ‘to toast’) They are fried green plantains; kind of the Dominican-style french fries. They are round and smashed flat. They are also called “patacones” in some Latin American countries.

Queso Frito – fried cheese. Something you’ll eat with mangú and fried salami.

Presidente – the national beer, which is a premium lager. Dominicans are proud of their beer because it is considered one of the top ten best beers in the world.

Jugo Naturales – fresh squeezed juice

Chinola – Passion Fruit

Naranja – Orange

Limon – Lemon

Brugal – Dominican Rum. Many tourists drink it mixed with coke or sprite (called Cuba Libre). Dominicans often drink it mixed with a dash of fresh coconut water.

Moro – Mixed rice and beans; a staple of the typical Dominican diet.

Arroz con habichuelas – white rice with beans poured over the top.

Pastelon de platano maduro – sweet plantain casserole with ground meat in the middle and cheese melted over the top.

Carne de Res – Beef

Carne de Pollo – Chicken

Chin Chin – means “just a little.” A very Dominican phrase

Colmado – this is like the Dominican 7-11. They have anything you need, are open most of the day, and will deliver to your front door.

Aplatanado = When a gringo becomes Dominicanized. You are aplatanado when you have eaten enough bananas or plantains to metamorphose into a Dominican.

Jipeta – Literally means little Jeep. Jipeta refers to all the small SUVs seen all over the country. They can range from Hondas, Toyotas, Porsches, Hummers to Range Rovers and Mercedes.

Limoncillos/Quenepa – Honeyberry, a delicious fruit available in the summer and early fall. The flesh is like a grape with one large seed in the middle. They are delicious!

Malecon – this is the name for the road that runs along the oceanfront in almost every city in the Dominican Republic.

Mirador – The park in the capital that runs along the ridge and is parallel to the ocean. Get to know the Mirador if you are into fitness or need a place to do outdoors things.

Moto – Dominicans ride all sorts of motorcycles. They range from small scooters and mopeds all the way up to the rare Harley Davidson. Moto refers to any motorcycle.

Advanced Dominicanisms

Ta bien – “Esta bien” in Spanish. Many Dominicanisms are really contractions of Spanish. It means I’m good or every things good.

Lo que tu quiera – whatever you want.

Tu no sabe na’ – You don’t know anything.

Y e’ facil – do you think it is easy?

Ah, Po’ ta bien – Okay, alright

Tu ‘ta pasao – You’re way off. Or when someone’s thoughts are outdated.

Tu ‘ta loca – You are crazy (w/ ironic tone)

No le de mente – Don’t worry about it

No te preocupues – Don’t worry.

Cojelo Suave – Take it easy. When someone gives you a hard time say “cojelo suave, bro’.”

No te quilles – Don’t get mad.

Que loquera – What a crazy person or thing

El Diache – The nice way to say devil.

Pariguayo – Party watcher or wallflower. Don’t ever be the pariguayo, or party pooper.

Tu no ‘ta en na – You are not in anything. Kind of like saying “you are a loser.”

Tengo un hambre de cuadrito – I’m REALLY hungry, to the point of fainting.

Po ‘ta bien – Alrighty then

Que ‘lo que hay – For what’s left

EL BUEN DOMINICANO WEPA! 

On point!

Yep, all of this. And now I really want some pastelon….