FORMAL 1

HOW ARE YOU

🔔USTED FORM🔔

📌Used for:

SOMEONE OLDER

RESPECTFUL SITUATIONS

FORMAL SITUATIONS

STRANGERS

Cómo estás usted

KOH-moh e’ta-oos-teh

I told him

Yo le dije a él

Be careful ; Watch out ; Care

📌Used for:

Warning someone to be careful

Cuidado

Cui - dao

You let ; You left

Tú dejaste

De - HAS - te

Go ahead ; Do it ; Send it ;

Get started

✅FORMAL✅

📌When to Use :

To give someone permission to do something

To tell someone to GO AHEAD or START

In conversation, like saying —

“Go on, do it”

Very common in Dominican formal speech (instead of “dale”)

Dele

Deh - leh

Almost ; Nearly

🔔INFORMAL🔔

✅ When to Use :

•To say something ALMOST happened

•You NEARLY did something

•It’s ABOUT to happen or is VERY CLOSE

Casimente

That way you CAN

✅ When to Use it :

To GUIDE or TEACH someone how to do something

To Motivate someone: “You got it now”

When showing the CORRECT WAY to do something

Así tú puedes

THEY WERE

🔔Past tense🔔

✅ When to Use it :

Describing WHERE they were

Talking about HOW they were feeling

Describing WHAT they were doing

in the PAST

💡 Hint:

Think: Temporary location ;

Emotions ;

Action in progress involving THEM

Ellos estaban

( eh - yo - eta - ban )

When was

Cuándo fue

Three hits

(Breakfast dish)

Tres golpes

( tres - gól - pehs )

It shows ; It’s noticeable

✅PROPER

📌Used for:

When someone’s Emotion ; Condition ; or Attitude is obvious

💡Hint:

Think of it like: “It’s noticeable on you.”

You’re telling someone their feelings or state is easy to see.

Se te nota

( seh - te - NO - ta )

Wait a minute ; Hold on a second

✅Formal✅

Aguanta de segundo

Aguan - ta - de - según - OH

Yuck ; Gross

✅Used for:

Expressing disgust , repulsion , or rejection

toward something unpleasant in —

smell , taste , look , or sound

Guácala

( Guá - ca - la )

Searching ; Looking for

📌 Used for:

When you’re trying to find

something

Buscando

boo - SKAN - doh

Too much ; Too many

✅PROPER

📌 Used for:

When something is EXCESSIVE

Whether it’s Quantity ; Intensity ;

Emotion

💡 Hint:

Use it when something goes beyond what’s normal or needed

Demasiado

Deh - ma - SYAH - do

How’s it going

🔔INFORMAL🔔

📌 Used for:

Checking in on someone’s overall well-being or situation.

💡 Hint:

Literally: “How is it going for you?”

It’s Less formal than “Cómo le va”, and more casual than “Cómo estás”.

Cómo te va

We have a problem

🔔informal🔔

📌USED FOR:

Is the informal way to say —

“We’re in trouble” or “Things got —

messed up”

Tenemo un bobo

How much was it

✅Formal✅

📌 Used for:

To ask about Money or Price in the —

Past Tense

💡 Hint:

Used when the transaction is already done

Cuánto fue

I’m driving right now

📌Used for:

FRIENDS ; FAMILY ; STREETS

Estoy guiando ahora mismo

Gyan - do

When did it happen

✅PROPER

📌 Used for:

Referring to a specific past event or situation

💡 Hint:

This is a common Dominican way to ask for the exact time something went down.

Cuándo fue que pasó

Thats what I want

✅Formal

📌Used for :

To express exactly what you want; you’re saying :

“That’s what I want right there”

“That’s what I’m talking about”

💡Hint:

Use this when pointing out or —

reacting to

something specific that you really want

Eso es lo que yo quiero

I’m going to my house

PROPER

Estoy yendo a mi casa

That way you COULD

✅Formal

📌 Used for:

To suggest a possibility

Or offer a helpful way to do something

💡 Hint:

It’s used like this: “That way, you’d be able to”

Así tú podrías

( po - dria )

Dam ; Shit ; Fuck

PROPER - CURSE WORD

Coño

How are you

🔔INFORMAL🔔

📌 Used for:

Asking someone how they are doing;

Informally

Como tú tá

I’m still

📌Used for:

Saying you are still doing something

or in a certain state

Is followed by an action or condition

Todavía estoy

Under ; Below

✅PROPER✅

📌Used for:

Saying something is under or below

something else in location.

Debajo de

Literal translation is “under of”

Reason ; To be right

✅PROPER

📌Used for:

Used to mean “REASON” or to say

someone is “RIGHT” in what they said or did.

💡Hint:

Use it to talk about “why something happened”

or when saying “someone is right”

Razón

We arrived ; We’re here

✅PROPER

📌Used for:

To say “We arrived” or “We’re here”

Also used informally to mean ;

“We made it!” or “We pulled up!”

💡Hint:

You can use this when you Physically arrive somewhere

Or to Announce your presence

llegamos

( Ye - gah - moe )

I’m going

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To say I’m going ; I’m on my way

or —

You’re in the act of going somewhere

💡Hint:

Use when —

someone asks where you are

Or if you’re coming.

Estoy yendo

Hungry

PROPER

Hambre

( am - bre )

Frying pan

Sartén

It ; Him ; You

(m)

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

As a direct object pronoun —

“it” / “him” / “you” (m).

As a neuter article: “the” (for abstract ideas).

💡 Hint:

Think “it” / “him” when referring to —

a person or object

And “the” when talking about a

concept

lo

Was

❗PAST TENSE❗

✅Formal✅

📌Used to describe:

• Location

• Emotions

• Ongoing past action

Estaba

( E - tá - ba )

Everything was fine

❗PAST TENSE❗

Todo estaba bien

That thing

PROPER

Esa vaina

Who

PROPER

Quien

Down ; Below ; Downstairs

✅Formal✅

📌Used for:

To describe something —

Down ; Below or Downstars

Can also mean Lower

Abajo

Driving

PROPER

Guiando

Outside

PROPER

Afuera

Leave ; Let ; Stop

PROPER

Deja

I’m ; I am

✅Formal✅

📌Used for:

• CURRENT STATE

• Location

• Feelings

• What you’re doing RIGHT NOW

Estóy

Come again ; What was that

✅Formal✅

📌Used for:

To say “What happened “

“What was that” or “Come again”

Also used when you “didn’t hear” or

“you’re shocked” by what someone said.

💡Hint:

Dominicans use this when they’re surprised, didn’t catch what you said

or want you to repeat something spicy, crazy, or bold.

Cómo fue

It works ; It’s useful

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To say something “works”, “is useful”,

or— “has a purpose”

💡Hint:

It comes from the verb “servir”, which

means to serve or to be useful

Sirvè

Girl ; Young woman

PROPER

Muchacha

You know ; You’re familiar with

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To say “You know” either referring to

a “Person” a “Place”

“You’re familiar with” something

💡Hint:

Use it to ask someone if they know a

Person ; Place ; Thing

In the streets, it can sound like you’re checking if someone “knows what’s up” too.

Tú conoces

Rice and beans (cooked)

Moro

Going through ; Happening ; Passing

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

Saying something is going through

happening right now , passing by

💡Hint:

Think of it as the Spanish version of “passing” or “going through”

BUT Dominicans can drop it in casual conversation as —

“what’s up” or “what’s going on.”

Pasando

I arrived

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To say “I arrived” or “I just got here”

when you show up somewhere or —

announce your arrival

💡Hint:

Use it when you just got somewhere

whether it’s home , a party, work , or your block.

llegué

( Yeh-geh )

Windows

Ventanas

( Ben - tá - na )

There

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To refer to a place that’s Close by or

In sight, but not right here

💡Hint:

Use it when pointing at something nearby

or when something is not far but not right next to you

Ahí

( Aí )

Disgusting ; Gross

✅Used for:

To call someone disgusting , gross,

dirty-minded, or nasty in attitude or

behavior

Very informal and often playful or teasing among friends —

but can be offensive if said seriously

💡Hint:

Think of someone acting nasty, dirty, or doing something perverted —

It’s like asqueroso but shorter and more street.

Queroso

Never ; Not ever

PROPER

Nunca

I have

PROPER

Tengo

The body

El cuerpo

To die dreaming

Morir Soñando

( Mo-ríh soñando )

Pretty ; Cute ; Sweet heart

PROPER

Chula

How does it smell

PROPER

Cómo huele

To do ; To make

✅Formal✅

📌Used for:

To say to do or to make — depending on the context

Dominicans use it for —

Actions , Responsibilities , Creating

something , or even for just messing

around

Hacer

Forward ; Ahead ; Keep going

✅Used for:

To say keep going , forward , ahead

Also used to say someone is —

Making progress , Hustling

or Pushing through life

💡Hint:

It’s a word that represents Dominican attitude:

Moving forward, no matter what

Palante

Up ; Above

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To indicate direction or physical position (formal).

To cheer or celebrate in street tone.

💡Hint:

Think “up” or “above” for the literal meaning,

and “Let’s go!” for the street meaning.

Arriba

Each one

Cada una

I don’t like this store lets go to another one

PROPER

No me gusta esta tienda, vamos para otra

That thing

PROPER

Esa vaina

How is it going ;

How are you doing

🔔FORMAL🔔

📌Used for:

To ask How is it going

or — How are you doing

in a FORMAL ; RESPECTFUL way.

💡Hint:

You use it with: USTED ; ELDERS ;

STRANGERS

It’s used in polite manor

Cómo le va

We go ; Let’s go

✅Used for:

To say Let’s go or Come on

to start moving or encourage

action

💡Hint:

Think of it as your go-to word to —-

get people moving ;

start an activity or —

show excitement for something

Vamos

Said

🔔PAST TENSE🔔

📌Used for:

To say or tell something used for —

He said ; She said ; You said —

said in the past

💡Hint:

Think of it as the past tense —

of dice (“says”)

Dijo

Very ; Good

PROPER

Bien

Friday

PROPER

Viernes

I continue ; I keep going ; I’m still at it

✅Formal✅

📌Used for:

To say I continue , I keep going , or -

I’m still at it

It can be used literally —-

still walking , still working ; or figuratively;

still grinding, still trying, still in the game.

Sigo

Food

PROPER

Comida

Cell phone

Celular

Monday

Lunes

To give

📌Used for:

To say “to give” but also used in many idiomatic Dominican expressions with meanings like —

to hit , to happen , to cause , or —

to allow

💡Hint:

Think of it as “give” but in Dominican talk it can mean way more from —

handing something over to

“beating” or “throwing”

Dar

Blinds

Persianas

Juice

PROPER

Jugo

Dominican burger

Chimi

To go ; To take with me

PROPER

Para llevar

It Does ; It makes ; It’s been

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To say “Does”, “Makes”, “Its been” or

“Ago” — DEPENDING on the sentence

It comes from the verb Hacer - (to do / to make)

and is used in the third person (he/she/it does)

💡Hint:

Dominicans use it in —

Questions, Statements ,

Time expressions —

👉 “What are you doing?

👉 “It’s hot”

👉 “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you”

Hace

I need

PROPER

Necesito

Calm ; Relax (f)

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To tell a WOMAN or GIRL to —

calm down, relax, or don’t worry.

Also used as a reassuring word to

comfort or to say everything’s good.

💡Hint:

This is the FEMININE version —

You use it when talking to or about a

WOMAN and it can mean:

👉 Calm down

👉 Don’t stress

👉 It’s all good

👉 Chill / Relax

Tranquila

A ; One (m)

PROPER

Un

Doing ; Making

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To say “Doing” or “Making” something

it’s the -ing form of the verb hacer.

You use it when you’re in the middle of an action.

💡Hint:

Comes from the verb hacer (to do / to make)

You’ll hear it with — estoy , tú estás , él está etc.

👉 “¿Qué tú ‘tá  ______?” = What you doing?

Haciendo

To sleep

PROPER

Dormir

Dormí

Of ; About ; From

🔔FORMAL🔔

📌Used for:

Showing possession “of”

or “belonging to”

Indicating origin “from”

Showing material or category —

“made of” / “about”

Hint:

Think of it as the Spanish version

of — “of” ; “from” or “about”

De

Time ; Weather

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To refer to Time either the —

Clock time , Weather, or how —

long something has been going on

💡Hint:

Can mean “time” as in minutes/hours,

“weather” like the weather’s bad

Also super common in expressions about

how long ago something happened

Tiempo

Throw it away ; Get rid of it

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To say throw it away ; get rid of it

— can be literal (trash), or figurative

(cut someone off, dump them, reject something).

💡Hint:

Comes from the verb “botar” = to throw out

is also used when talking about —

breaking up, cutting someone

loose,

or even getting rid of something —

useless

Bótalo

You’re going ; You go

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To say “you go” or “you’re going” —

second person singular —

from the verb “ir” (to go).

Used in both questions ; statements

when talking about -

someone else’s movement or plans

Vas

( VAHS )

You need

PROPER

Tú necesitas

I’m full

PROPER

Estóy lleno

Until ; Up to ; Even

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for

To say “ Until“ , “Up to”, or “Even“

depending on the context

In greetings or goodbyes, it’s super common:

👉 “_____ luego” = See you later

👉 “_____  mañana” = See you tomorrow

💡Hint:

It’s a very flexible word — used in

Time ; Place and even to —

emphasize extreme situations

You’ll hear it in greetings,

exaggerations, or just everyday talk.

Hasta

Just leave it ; Just let it be

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

Telling someone “Just leave it” or “Just let it be”

can refer to an object, a situation, or person.

Used in Formal ; Casual settings

In street talk, tone can change it from calm advice to “Forget about it, man.”

💡Hint:

Think of it as a calm way to say

“Don’t touch it” , “Forget it” —

“Don’t mess with it”

Solo Déjelo

DEH-he-lo

Good Morning

PROPER

Buenos Días

Tell him ; Tell her

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

When you want someone to —

Explain or Confess something to another

person

Super common when —

gossiping, giving orders, throwing

shade.

💡Hint:

Comes from the verb “contar= to tell ;

to count”

Dominicans use it when encouraging someone to :

Spill the tea ; Own up ; or —

Say something directly

Cuéntale

I only want

📌Used for:

Expressing that you only want something.

Can be used formally or informally depending on tone.

💡Hint:

Think “all I want” or “I just want”

in English

Solo quiero

Tired ; Fed up (m)

PROPER

Cansado

Giving

✅PROPER✅

📌Used for:

Present participle of “dar =to give” —

means giving.

Can also mean hitting or dealing —

something, depending on the context

Dando

I feel ; Im feeling ; I sit down

✅FORMAL✅

📌Used for:

To say “I feel” or “I sit down” —

depending on the sentence.

In Dominican Spanish, it’s most

commonly used to —

express feelings or emotions.

💡Hint:

Comes from the verb “sentir(se) = to feel”

Also from “sentarse = to sit down”

But in street Dominican talk —

“me siento”

usually means how you’re feeling —

emotionally or physically.

Me siento

Sunday

PROPER

Domingo

To drink

PROPER

Beber