Animals that are Part of Colombians’ Everyday Vocabulary
In Colombia, talking about animals does not always mean referring to the country’s wildlife. In everyday conversations, several species have become part of popular expressions used to describe people, behaviors, and situations. Camello, sapo, burro, rata, avispa, zorro, mosca, vaca, and trucha are some of the animals that frequently appear in colloquial language and, depending […]
Animals are an integral part of Colombians' everyday vocabulary, often used to describe human behaviors and actions. The following animals frequently appear in colloquial language with meanings that differ from their literal interpretations:
* Camello (camel): Used to refer to work, and expressions like "voy al camello," "tengo que camellar," or "estoy camellando" mean going to work, completing a workday, or performing an effortful activity.
* Sapo (toad): Refers to a nosy, indiscreet, or gossipy person, as well as a supposed mouth infection. It is also used to warn children not to put dirty objects in their mouths.
* Burro (donkey): Used to describe someone who is unintelligent or clumsy. It can be a joke among friends or an insult, depending on the tone.
* Rata (rat): Used to describe someone who ruins a fun moment or is a party pooper. It can also mean someone who is quick-thinking and handles situations well.
* Avispa (wasp): Associated with quick thinking, alertness, and cleverness. It can also imply that someone is skilled at taking advantage of others or acting cunningly.
* Mosca (fly): Used in the expression "hay que estar moscas," which means to stay alert and attentive.
* Vaca (cow): Refers to money, and the phrase "hagamos una vaca" means to pool money for a common purpose.
* Trucha (trout): Used in the expression "pongase trucha" to tell someone to stay alert, pay attention, and act carefully.
Written by urgent.news from Colombia One's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
