Slang

1. Nde!

   Hey! / Wow!

   Usage

   Literally "you", but used all over Paraguay as an exclamation of surprise or a hail. Only for friends your own age; aimed at elders or an official counter it is rude

2. Ha upéi?

   So, what's up?

   Usage

   Literally "and then?" — the standard follow-up to a greeting when asking how things are. For friends and peers

3. Ajépa

   Right? / Isn't it?

   Usage

   A tag seeking agreement, added at the end of a sentence. Safe with anyone, though keep the tone light with elders

4. Néike!

   Come on! / Go for it!

   Usage

   A call to urge someone on or cheer them up, for friends and companions. It can sound like hurrying, so avoid it with staff at work

5. Chake!

   Watch out!

   Usage

   A warning of danger; even in Spanish conversation this one word stays Guaraní. Safe with anyone, and most often aimed at strangers

6. Ndaipóri

   There isn't any

   Usage

   What you hear when something is out of stock or unavailable. "Ndaipóri problema" = no problem. Safe with anyone

7. Che ra'a

   Buddy (friendly address)

   Usage

   Paraguay's most common address between friends. Only for people your own age you already know; with strangers, elders or staff it sounds too familiar

8. Karai

   Sir (respectful address for a man)

   Usage

   A respectful hail for an older man or a man you have just met, used alone or before a name. Unlike Che ra'a, it is safe with anyone

9. Kuñakarai

   Ma'am (respectful address for a woman)

   Usage

   kuña (woman) plus karai; the female counterpart of Karai and a safe way to address a market seller or a landlady

10. Jopara

    Jopara (a mixture)

    Usage

    "A mixture". In Paraguay it names the everyday way of speaking that blends Guaraní and Spanish, and it is also a corn-and-bean stew. Safe with anyone in either sense

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