nIn the field of speech, Andalusian is a master that, without having the prestige of being considered a language but a dialect, has a unique, genuine and intelligent richness in its expressions. Andalusian makes us unique, close and often indecipherable. And, of course, it has different varieties, subdialects, phonetic specificities…
In other words, expressions and accents can change from one town to another. Also andalusian drinks from languages such as English from which it has adopted and transformed dozens of words. Now, the essence is what it is and let this article be understood with a salty intention.
For this reason, we have compiled some classic expressions or untranslatable phrases from Andalusian. To make you laugh or to share it with your friends or with those who practice Spanish north of Despeñaperros.
1. Jihome
It’s an ironic “yeah, right”. An example would be“ji home, I’m going to be me from Córdoba. From La Macarena I am. Me… from Córdoba…”. With greater or lesser aspiration, this expression has a special presence in Seville.
2. Fite!
It is not a contraction of aféitate (shave yourself) but of fíjate (look at this). The point is to save syllables no matter what. Fitetú is another widespread variable.
3. No ni ná
Must be said that this expression should not be taught lightly, especially if you are not even fluent in Spanish. Noniná is a linguistic marvel, the triple negation of Andalusian which, paradoxically, is a categorical affirmation.
Why no ni ná is authentic poetry? because the alliteration of the “n” is produced, because we start from the most closed vowel to the most open vowel of Andalusian, and because with these six letters an infinite number of phrases can be constructed.
For example:“ I’m not (n0) going to stay at home this vacation, even (ni) if the weather is bad, nothing (ná, nada) will stop me” (let’s not tempt fate with this example either). Occasionally, you may hear this Andalusian expression accompanied by “te diré” (I’ll tell you).
4. A Jierro
It is used to assert something very strongly. If you were asked if you were from Sevilla and you were, you would say “del Sevilla a jierro“. A muerte, a tope or a full would be its more normative counterparts.
5. Lavín
It is intended to convey astonishment, displeasure or surprise. It comes from contracting “la Virgen”, “la Virgen santa” or “la Virgen compadre”. Isn’t uncommon to hear other variants such as lavínpae or lavinsanta. It can also be used as an expression of idleness similar to the classic “what a mess…”
6. Te viá
It can be combined with a dá un guantaso (a dar un guantazo, to give a slap). It means “I am going to” (te voy a…).
7. Illo: the national appellation
In general terms, we could say that Andalusians have a predilection for the noble parts of the human being to refer to a colleague or a friend. Churra, pisha, polla or chocho are among the most common appellatives (they are usually used regardless of gender).
Although if we have to choose a word that brings together all these ways of designating someone close to us, it is undoubtedly illo. Compadre, or its derivative mpare are also quite frequent.
8. Arrejuntarse
Very used by ladies when talking about new couples who don’t want to get married and just get together (arrejuntarse).
9. Cagontó
Usually we will see it accompanied by “tus muertos” or “lo que se menea” although it is not uncommon to hear a solitary and suspensive “cagontó”. It is one of the most vulgar Andalusian expressions, usually used when you are looking for parking downtown or there is no room on any terrace and it is already three o’clock in the afternoon.
10. Tesquiyá
Once again, contraction is one of the Andalusian’s favorite phenomena. On this occasion, tesquiyá comes to condense a “go away at once” although using humor and irony: “you want to go now”.
11. Encartar
Another of the most widespread expressions in Andalusian and quite common in almost all regions of this land is the verb encartar. A sort of possibility on the table. “This week starts Fiesta del Cine, if encarta, we can go to” . This means that there is that option.
12. Foh
Indolence and even discontent are easily expressed using this listless monosyllable. For example, this is what Mondays would sound like if we had to assign them an onomatopoeia: Foh!
13. Derogatory expressions in Andalusian
Understanding that Andalusian, like all languages, is full of expressions with negative connotations, it is not surprising to find a wide variety of nuanced terms that, in any case, can also be used in an affectionate way.
Penco or papafrita means useless; malaje is someone with a point (or several) of malice and malafollá who has bad manners; un jartible is a heavy (tireless in some aspects); talking about fulleros implies referring to cheaters and referring to someone who is apollardao connects with a distracted personality, who does not know anything.
*Andalusian is a dialect of Spanish, therefore the expressions included in this article are phonetic transcriptions that generally represent some phenomena of Andalusian.