And you, what phrases sound familiar to you?

You’ve surely heard these famous phrases or words from Jalisco more than once. Don’t feel bad if you don’t understand what they mean or why we use them. Here, we explain where they come from, what they mean, and how to use them so you can sound like a local.  

These words or phrases are usually specific to the people living in a certain region or geographic area, giving them their own unique meaning that is very different from the original. This is because they aren't used anywhere else; we call these regionalisms.  

The first one on our list is “echar lío,” a phrase we use to refer to something romantic. It’s usually used to say you’re going to see your boyfriend or girlfriend to hang out or flirt.

Normally, anywhere outside of Jalisco, this phrase refers to a conflict, since “lío” is a synonym for a fight or a problem between one or more people, implying a bothersome provocation. Likewise, it can also mean that “someone is in a mess” which relates to being confused.  

If you’ve ever wondered why a bolillo roll is known in this part of the country as “birote,” legend has it that it was created by French bakers. One of them, known by the name M. Birott, the captain of a ship passing through Chapala, settled in Guadalajara. One day, he decided to make his own version of European bread, creating the famous and well-known “birote.” Today, it is one of the gastronomic symbols of our city.

We hope you’ve never had our next word said directly to you, because it’s not exactly a compliment. “Guandajo” is used to refer to a person who looks disheveled or not presentable for the occasion, in terms of their clothing or appearance. It’s usually said to people who look dirty or careless in their presentation.  

It could also be used for people who wear very baggy clothes or items that look old or worn out. So, the next time you hear this expression, make sure you aren't the one receiving it.

This is one of our favorites, since most people from Guadalajara use it at least once a day. The word “chamba” refers to work, and it’s not just used here, but in many Latin countries as well.  

It originated with the Mexican braceros who crossed the border to work in the United States.

When their work contracts ended, they had to go to the office of the Chamber of Commerceto renew them. These words were very difficult for them to pronounce in English, so it was shortened in a simpler way to “la chamber.” Over time, it became what we know today as “la chamba,” fusing the language and culture of both countries.

We Tapatíos aren't satisfied with just using one word to refer to a lot; we have to add “bien mucho” to go with it to make the phrase sound more exaggerated, which is a local favorite. This tends to confuse more than a few people who don't know its real meaning, but the truth is, it doesn't have one; it’s simply a word added before any noun to make it sound more dramatic.  

And finally, we couldn't leave out this typical expression: “¡Qué si! Sabeee.” This response is always accompanied by a specific connotation when we want to emphasize or mention the famous “I already told you so,” but since you haven't been paying attention, I'm responding this way again.

The expressions and regionalisms of Jalisco not only reflect the cultural richness of the region, but also add a unique touch to everyday language. Each phrase or word gives us “bien mucha” Tapatío identity, haha, making us part of a tradition full of stories. Just like the ones mentioned above, we are sure there are many you know that we could add to the list. Which others come to mind?

See you soon.