The Dominican Republic is famous for its vibrant culture, delicious food, and, of course, its unique way of speaking Spanish. If you’ve ever tried to translate English to Dominican Spanish, you might have noticed something interesting—many words have an English origin but have been adapted into the Dominican lexicon with their own twist. These borrowed words make communication more dynamic, but they can also be confusing for non-natives.
Want to sound more like a local? Let’s dive into some of the most common words with English roots that you’ll hear in the streets of the DR.
English Words That Have Become Dominican Spanish
Here’s a list of words that have made their way from English into everyday Dominican Spanish:
- Parquear (from “Park”) – Instead of “estacionar,” Dominicans say “parquear” when referring to parking a car.
Example: “Déjame parquear el carro y nos vamos.”
- Chequear (from “Check”) – Used like “check it out” or “verify.”
Example: “Chequea si la puerta está cerrada.”
- Chance (from “Chance”) – Used when talking about giving someone an opportunity.
Example: “Dame un chance, ahora sí lo hago bien.”
- Zafacón (from “Safety Can”) – The Dominican word for a trash bin.
Example: “Echa esa basura en el zafacón.”
- Bóxer (from “Boxers”) – Used to refer to men’s underwear rather than the sport of boxing.
Example: “Voy a comprar unos bóxeres nuevos.”
- Pana (from “Partner”) – A Dominican way of saying friend or buddy.
Example: “Ese es mi pana, siempre andamos juntos.”
- Chilleando (from “Chilling”) – A Dominican way of saying someone is relaxing or taking it easy.
Example: “Estamos chilleando en la playa hoy.”
- Chercha (from “Church Chat”) – Used to refer to casual conversation or fun banter.
Example: “Vamos a hacer una chercha después del trabajo.”
- Jevi (from “Heavy”) – Used to mean something cool or awesome.
Example: “Esa fiesta estuvo jevi.”
- Blower (from “Blower”) – The Dominican word for a hairdryer.
Example: “Voy al salón a darme un blower.”
- Pariguayo (from “Party Watcher”) – Used to refer to someone who is boring or naive.
Example: “No seas pariguayo, ven a bailar.”
- Guachimán (from “Watchman”) – Refers to a security guard.
Example: “El guachimán cuida la tienda toda la noche.”
- Hacer un show (from “Make a show”) – Used when someone is making a big fuss over something.
Example: “Deja de hacer un show por eso.”
- Biles (from “Bills”) – Used to refer to payments or invoices.
Example: “Tengo que pagar los biles esta semana.”
- Joseador (from “Hustler”) – Refers to someone who is always working hard or looking for opportunities.
Example: “Ese tipo es un joseador, siempre buscando su dinero.”
- Cachú (from “Ketchup”) – The Dominican way of referring to ketchup.
Example: “A mi hamburguesa le falta cachú, pásamelo por favor.”
Why English Words Are Common in Dominican Spanish
English has had a strong influence on Dominican Spanish due to historical ties, migration, and cultural exchanges, especially with the United States. Many Dominicans have family abroad, and the country’s exposure to American media and tourism reinforces these borrowed words. Additionally, the presence of American businesses, pop culture, and technology in the Dominican Republic has led to a natural integration of English terms into everyday speech.
The Dominican diaspora, particularly in cities like New York and Miami, has also played a major role in shaping the local vocabulary. Many Dominicans who migrate to the U.S. return home incorporating English words into their speech, influencing friends and family. This phenomenon, known as “code-switching,” has helped spread Anglicisms across different generations.
Another important factor is the influence of music and sports. Dominican artists in genres like reggaetón, dembow, and bachata frequently use English words in their lyrics, making them more popular among young people. Similarly, basketball, baseball, and other sports with strong American ties contribute to the adoption of English terms in daily conversations.
That’s why when you translate English to Dominican Spanish, you’ll often find words that already sound familiar.
English has had a strong influence on Dominican Spanish due to historical ties, migration, and cultural exchanges, especially with the United States. Many Dominicans have family abroad, and the country’s exposure to American media and tourism reinforces these borrowed words. That’s why when you translate English to Dominican Spanish, you’ll often find words that already sound familiar.
Final Thoughts
If you want to sound more like a local when you translate English to Dominican Spanish, learning these English-influenced words is a great start. They’re widely used and will help you blend in naturally with Dominican speakers. The next time you visit the DR or chat with a Dominican friend, don’t be afraid to throw in a “parquea,” “chequea,” or “chilleando“—you’ll fit right in!