The remoteness of the European continent and the Spain peninsular has made the language spoken in Canary Islands has many peculiarities and meanings of its own; some are words or expressions in disuse from Spanish, others They are own and native to the Islands, even There are some that are only used on some islands and not on others; on other occasions, this cultural heritage has remained in time after adopting Anglicisms, Portugueseisms or Gallicisms fruit of a land like the Canary Islands that for centuries was a strategic place for international trade between the Old and New World.
Here we expose you a Basic dictionary with more than 25 expressions that only a canary would say and their translation into peninsular Spanish to facilitate communication between the compatriots of the continent and those of the Canary Islands. Some are very funny. Read and see how many you know … Maybe you are more Canarian or Canarian than him gofio.
Get a million!
In card games, different types of grains can be used to add points in the plays and leave them scored. In this case we are talking about grains of millet or corn. That’s where the expression comes from, grab a million! Although its meaning is not literal in the Canary Islands, it is a go to fry asparagus.
Have foundation
Behave correctly.
It lacks a water
It is one of the many funny and witty Canarian expressions, which serves to express that a person is immature or not in their right mind, and that it would be equivalent to our peninsular expression “lacks a boil”.
You are a prop
When you want to praise someone or thank someone for something, it is very good to tell the person that they are a prop, as an acknowledgment of admiration for their abilities.
You are a machango
This is not one of the most desirable Canarian words either, as it means that they are describing that person as a clown, alluding to the dolls or rompers that are called that way in the islands.
Whoever wants limpets to get their ass wet
Whoever wants to be successful must risk and sacrifice things.
Go pulp to the tide
Go pulp to the tide is a synonym of, speaking badly and soon, go to hell! Or go out there! For example, if someone is constantly bothering you, you can say: go pulp! Or, go pulp at the tide!
Gincate a tuno
As you may know, the tuno is that fruit with spikes that comes from the tuneras so common in the Canary Islands. And, when we say “jíncate un tuno”, which is literally “eat a tuno”, we refer to the same meaning as suck up a million and go pulp to the tide. I mean, get out there!
You’re pretty!
We usually use this ironic Canarian phrase to show disapproval, disagreement or refute an opinion of something that another person has said or done. If you think I’m going to do the job for free, you’re pretty!
The rabbit teased me the bitch or the rabbit teased me the bitch
When we use this Canarian phrase we mean that something has gone wrong or that it has not gone as we had in mind. It is very typical to say in the Canary Islands now if the rabbit curled up the bitch.
Send yourself to move (also use “pluck the penca” or “splash”)
The meaning of “tear off the stalk,” “send yourself to move,” and “splash” is the same. These are imperative Canarian phrases that mean to leave or leave now. Immediately, ipso facto. For example, “Stop bothering me! Tear off the stalk! Get moving! Splash! ». A “go now!” most informal.
Change your wig
Changing your wig is the same as getting out of date, having an amazing time, or getting drunk at a party. I went out last night with my friends and changed my whole wig. The verb cambarse in Canary is twisted and the wig because everyone knows what it is.
You are going to blow me away
The meaning of the Canarian phrase «You are going to whistle me» is not difficult to guess. He comes to say “you’re going to drive me crazy”, but we prefer to say whistle
My bath went away
This is another of the typical Canarian phrases that we use to refer to the fact that we have forgotten or been confused with something. It is a synonym for me was the clamp. I started talking and “the bath went away” with the time, so I’m going to be late. A baifo according to the Canarian lexicon is the baby of the goat or kid.
Open your eye and scatter your sight
It is among the funny canaries sayings, and with a certain irony, as it is a warning expression, so you may be able to hear it if you are going to take a trip through the steep cliffs of the northwest of the island.
Oh, I get flushed!
When a canary says, “Oh, I get rid of it!” it means that he is scared to death, that he is terrified. Every time I go to the Cursed Dog parties in Valsequillo I evict myself.
To the beat
Doing something “on the beat” means doing something patiently, calmly. Used for hard work, tasks with a lot of volume of processes … Do something calmly and serenity, so that you get the best possible result.
I have jilorio
I am hungry.
I have viruje
How cold it is.
I have magua
Nostalgia, “I was left with the desire”, craving …
You are like a jaira
Are you crazy or crazy.
Good mouth
That he has good food, that he likes to eat everything.
You hot as a male
You are very angry or upset.
Two-handed ass riding
Being very busy, loaded with tasks.
I’m ground like a bag
I’m very tired.
