Tutear

Meaning: To switch to the informal tú with someone — a small, deliberate act of closing social distance.

Literally: To 'tú' someone

Origin: Spanish, from the pronoun tú; the moment of switching is itself an event worth naming.

More Spanish untranslatable words

Puente The day taken off to 'bridge' a midweek public holiday to the weekend, turning it into a…
Vergüenza ajena The squirming embarrassment felt on behalf of another person, who may be entirely untroub…
Sobremesa The unhurried conversation that lingers long after a meal, when no one wants to leave the…
Madrugada The liminal hours between midnight and sunrise — that strange, quiet time when the night…
Duende A mysterious quality in art or performance that moves you to your core — a dark, soulful,…
Querencia A place where you feel safe, grounded, and most fully yourself — a sanctuary from which y…

Colorful expressions from dozens of languages, with their word-for-word translations.

de grado o por fuerza Whether one likes it or not; willingly or unwillingly.
de caballo Enormous; of impressive or overwhelming size or intensity.
mandarse a mudar (Latin American Spanish) To leave abruptly or without notice; to depart hastily.

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