Granada Slang: Words and Expressions (3)

If you’ve already read the first and second part of our little dictionary, you can say «¡lavín!», call the person you’re talking to «quillo» and ask for a «saquito» when it turns chilly. Time to level up. In this third instalment we’ve gathered another handful of words you’ll hear at any bar, on the bus or in the queue at the bakery.

As always, the expressions fit into one of our three categories:

• Kicks to the dictionary. Words that, through pronunciation or to save a few letters, have changed shape while keeping more or less the same meaning.

• Changes of meaning. Words that started out meaning one thing and have ended up meaning something quite different.

• Home-grown. Words you won’t find in any official dictionary, but that everyone in Granada understands.

More words

Malafollá

The most Granada word of all, and not by chance. It describes a character: blunt, ironic, not one for compliments, with a touch of grumpiness that is often more front than real bad temper. People say it’s the trademark of the granadino, and some wear it with pride. If someone answers you with a dry, sarcastic quip, don’t take it personally: it’s part of the charm.

Le pregunté si el bar abría hoy y me dijo «si está la persiana subida, será que sí». -> I asked if the bar was open today and he said “if the shutter’s up, I suppose it is”. That’s malafollá.

Chambi

This is what we call an ice cream sandwich in Granada: a block of ice cream between two wafers or biscuits, sold at kiosks and ice cream parlours. In summer it’s practically an institution.

Hace una calor que no se puede, vamos a por un chambi. -> It’s unbearably hot, let’s go and get an ice cream sandwich.

Follisca

A row, a scuffle or a commotion between several people, usually more noise than consequences.

Se ha liado una follisca en la puerta del bar por el fútbol. -> There’s been a heated row outside the bar over the football.

Hartible

Said of someone tiresome, who wears anyone down with their insistence. You’ll also hear «jartible», with that breathy Andalusian h sound we’re so fond of.

Qué hartible eres, ya te he dicho tres veces que no. -> You’re such a pain, I’ve told you no three times.

Bulla

Elsewhere in Spain «bulla» means racket or bustle, but here it’s mostly used to talk about being in a hurry. Someone who «lleva bulla» is short of time.

No me puedo parar, que llevo mucha bulla. -> I can’t stop, I’m in a real rush.

Mijilla

A small amount, a little bit. It comes from «migaja» (crumb) and has variants such as «mijita» or «miaja».

Échame una mijilla de aceite en la tostada. -> Put a drop of olive oil on my toast.

Talegazo

A heavy knock or a nasty fall. With so many slopes and cobbles in the Albayzín and the Sacromonte, it’s a word worth knowing.

Me resbalé bajando la cuesta y me di un talegazo. -> I slipped going down the hill and took a real tumble.

Esmayao

It comes from «desmayado» (fainted), but it has nothing to do with passing out: if you’re esmayao, you’re starving. It’s also spelt «esmallao», and we’ll admit even we don’t know which is right.

Vengo esmayao, ¿qué hay de comer? -> I’m starving, what’s for lunch?

Time to practise

The best way to learn these words is to go out for tapas and listen. If you understand straight away when someone says they «llevan bulla», or find yourself ordering a «chambi» in August, you’re on the right track. To see how tapas work here, check our guide to tapas in Granada, and to understand everyday life in the city, read the one on local customs.

We’ll keep expanding this collection. If you can think of a word we’ve missed, drop us a line and we’ll add it.