Chilenismos-English English-Chilenismos Dictionary and Phrasebook

More about the book

Chile is known for having created an enormous amount of distinct words and expressions. Consequently, the Spanish spoken in Chile is frequently indiscernible to "gringos and native Spanish speakers alike. For example, when it is very hot, Chileans say: "Estan cayendo los patos asados," which means literally: "Roast ducks are falling." This dictionary and phrasebook collects more than 1,500 of these terms and idioms, known as "chilenismos, and expresses them in simple English. The book also explores the roots of "chilenismos and explains the grammatical constructions and idiosyncratic speech patterns particular to Chileans. This is an ideal guide for tourists, businesspeople, and anyone who plans to spend time or to live in Chile. It is also a valuable tool for the Chilean expatriate, who can be transported back to his home country and reminded of how rich and entertaining "chilenismos are.