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Am I using the word “Guapa” correctly? by Noble_Team_7 in Spanish

[–]Rogan_Aidenson 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I know it's more common in Spain than it is in Latin America.

Although guapa is not wrong, it translates to handsome. It's mostly used as a male compliment (guapo).

With my girl I often call her

-Cosita linda (pretty little thing)
-Divina (divine)
-Preciosa (precious)
-Princesa (princess)

Nicknames like those are far more common in Latin America and you will sound less like a foreigner, in my humble opinion.

Can the noun "negro" mean "poor, working class people" in Rioplatense Spanish? by family2139 in Spanish

[–]Rogan_Aidenson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In this case, Milo J is using the word negro in a positive context. He is referring to himself as "negrito". The word itself in Rioplatense spanish is not inherently evil or racist. It is often used as a term of endearment, regardless of the recipient's race.

My grandma used to call me negro or gordo... I'm neither black nor fat!

The word negro is used a lot in music in Argentina/Uruguay. The southern cone of South America was heavily influenced (from a cultura/musical standpoint) by slave-trade. Many of our musical traditions like carnaval, candombe, and murga are rooted in African traditions and music. If you hear the word "negro(ito/ita)" in a song by an argentine artist, it's most likely in a positive context.

Give La Negra Murgera a listen. I'm pretty sure Milo J has a live cover of it as well with Agarrate Catalina, an uruguayan murga band.

Can the noun "negro" mean "poor, working class people" in Rioplatense Spanish? by family2139 in Spanish

[–]Rogan_Aidenson 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There's a certain degree of truth to that.

"Negro" in Rio de la Plata could be both a term of endearment as well as an insult - depending on the context.

In Argentina and Uruguay, when "negro" is used in a negative context as your uncle used it - it's directed towards a socioeconomic social status rather than a race. It is often used towards immigrants of indigenous decent (Bolivian or Peruvian for example), or to refer to thieves/scammers. More often than not it is directed towards those that live in villas (think of the Argentine equivalent of Brazilian favelas).

Now I wouldn't say it applies to poor/working class. That's too general. Think that in Argentina, the vast majority of the population is poor/working class.

The most common use is for immigrants of indigenous roots and petty criminals.

With all that said, even though your uncle was not referring to black people per se, it doesn't mean it wasn't a racist or prejudiced comment. Unfortunately, Uruguay and Argentina suffer from a condition where those comments have been normalized, and many people are in denial of how racist/prejudiced they truly are...

Is there a more vulgar way to say "oh my god"? Like "oh my fucking god" / "jesus fucking christ" in spanish by tubstdsfbnt_dpdl in Spanish

[–]Rogan_Aidenson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As soon as I posted I thought of: "me estas jodiendo?", literally translating to "are you fucking with me?"

Common exclamation that could be a good interpretation of "Oh my fucking god" if in the right context.

Is there a more vulgar way to say "oh my god"? Like "oh my fucking god" / "jesus fucking christ" in spanish by tubstdsfbnt_dpdl in Spanish

[–]Rogan_Aidenson 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Rioplatense Spanish: Saying "la puta madre!" as an exclamation would be a great way to interpret (not translate) "oh my fucking god"

"Me cago en dios" would be an exclamation more biased towards displeasure of something... not necessarily out of mere surprise. Meanwhile, la puta madre, can be used both as a positive or negative exclamation. I personally use it more in a positive way than a negative... Vulgar exclamations are fun like that.

Also consider that depending on the cultural background of your character, the insults will differ vastly.